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The Brian Lehrer Show

Why Don't New Yorkers Volunteer?

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

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.

Volunteering in America: 2007 City Trends and Rankings


Comments

  • [1] Robert from East Village July 11, 2007 - 10:49AM

    Okay, I give up, I want to know who was #1 and who were #s 49 and 50?
  • [2] amanda from harlem July 11, 2007 - 10:51AM

    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.
  • [3] Jen from Brooklyn July 11, 2007 - 10:52AM

    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.
  • [4] Jean Gazis from Park Slope July 11, 2007 - 10:53AM

    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.


  • [5] amanda from harlem July 11, 2007 - 10:54AM

    jen, things that are important to you you just make time for.

    i think it should be mandatory. across the board.
  • [6] Gwen from Brooklyn July 11, 2007 - 10:59AM

    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).
  • [7] Bridget Ostronic from NYC July 11, 2007 - 11:01AM

    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?
  • [8] shovel July 11, 2007 - 12:40PM

    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.


  • [9] Jackie from Brooklyn July 12, 2007 - 02:30PM

    What happens to the stats when you leave out the surrounding suburbs and only look at NYC? Just wondering.

This thread is closed.


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