New York ranks 48th out of the 50 largest cities in the US for rate of volunteering. That's the finding of a study conducted by the Corporation for National & Community Service. David Eisner, CEO of C.N.C.S, explains our poor showing.
What happens to the stats when you leave out the surrounding suburbs and only look at NYC? Just wondering.
Jul. 12 2007 02:30 PM
Score: 0/0
shovel
amanda, what about those of us who end up helping friends in need? or does volunteering only apply to strangers?
jen is right...it's not that we don't have a heart, but try volunteering after a 10 hour day. goodwill can spill out in nonorganized increments. I think what should be mandatory is simply treating others as we wish to be treated ourselves.
Jul. 11 2007 12:40 PM
Score: 0/0
Bridget Ostronic
from NYC
I was wondering if the study looked at the amount of money people in larger cities like NYC give versus actually volunteering. Was that taken into account?
Jul. 11 2007 11:01 AM
Score: 0/0
Gwen
from Brooklyn
An obstacle I encountered when I was looking for places to volunteer in the city was the time comittment many places require.
The museums, galleries, etc. seem to treat volunteers similar to unpaid internships, i.e., minimum days per week, each week that conflicts with the daily schedule of most full or part time workers and students.
I found the organization NY Cares to be a good alternative that allowed complete flexibility (they're like a middle-man matchup service).
Jul. 11 2007 10:59 AM
Score: 0/0
amanda
from harlem
jen, things that are important to you you just make time for. i think it should be mandatory. across the board.
Jul. 11 2007 10:54 AM
Score: 0/0
Jean Gazis
from Park Slope
I am currently working on my second project for the Taproot Foundation (www.taprootfoundation.org), which I feel is an innovative concept in volunteering and very worthwhile. Rather than have people just give donations or stuff envelopes, Taproot puts together teams of volunteers to do specific projects for nonprofit organizations, using our various professional skills. I worked on a marketing project for a job training organization, and am now working on a website project for a university press. I've met great people and gained experience that is useful in my career as well.
Jul. 11 2007 10:53 AM
Score: 0/0
Jen
from Brooklyn
Please! Did they really need to do a study on this? The poverty rate in NYC is 20%, and most of us are working multiple jobs just to get by. Maybe that's why the volunteerism rate is low.
Jul. 11 2007 10:52 AM
Score: 0/0
amanda
from harlem
I live in harlem and volunteer (also in harlem) with an organization called Free Arts New York making art with underprivileged kids once a week. its a 'healing power of creativity' thing. I love it.
Jul. 11 2007 10:51 AM
Score: 0/0
Robert
from East Village
Okay, I give up, I want to know who was #1 and who were #s 49 and 50?
Jul. 11 2007 10:49 AM
Score: 0/0
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Comments [9]
What happens to the stats when you leave out the surrounding suburbs and only look at NYC? Just wondering.
amanda, what about those of us who end up helping friends in need? or does volunteering only apply to strangers?
jen is right...it's not that we don't have a heart, but try volunteering after a 10 hour day. goodwill can spill out in nonorganized increments. I think what should be mandatory is simply treating others as we wish to be treated ourselves.
I was wondering if the study looked at the amount of money people in larger cities like NYC give versus actually volunteering. Was that taken into account?
An obstacle I encountered when I was looking for places to volunteer in the city was the time comittment many places require.
The museums, galleries, etc. seem to treat volunteers similar to unpaid internships, i.e., minimum days per week, each week that conflicts with the daily schedule of most full or part time workers and students.
I found the organization NY Cares to be a good alternative that allowed complete flexibility (they're like a middle-man matchup service).
jen, things that are important to you you just make time for.
i think it should be mandatory. across the board.
I am currently working on my second project for the Taproot Foundation (www.taprootfoundation.org), which I feel is an innovative concept in volunteering and very worthwhile. Rather than have people just give donations or stuff envelopes, Taproot puts together teams of volunteers to do specific projects for nonprofit organizations, using our various professional skills. I worked on a marketing project for a job training organization, and am now working on a website project for a university press. I've met great people and gained experience that is useful in my career as well.
Please! Did they really need to do a study on this? The poverty rate in NYC is 20%, and most of us are working multiple jobs just to get by. Maybe that's why the volunteerism rate is low.
I live in harlem and volunteer (also in harlem) with an organization called Free Arts New York making art with underprivileged kids once a week. its a 'healing power of creativity' thing. I love it.
Okay, I give up, I want to know who was #1 and who were #s 49 and 50?
Leave a Comment
Register for your own account so you can vote on comments, save your favorites, and more. Learn more.
Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. We reserve the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting. By leaving a comment, you agree to New York Public Radio's Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.