Ongoing Projects and Events

As we rely on donations from the community, many of the books and magazines in the libraries at our programs are outdated. Your team can donate books and/or magazines to replenish the contents in these libraries so that our clients are up-to-date with current events and able to enjoy today's bestsellers. Program recipients: All Budget: Flexible. 

Donate kitchen essentials for formerly homeless veterans and seniors who are moving from transitional shelters into apartments of their own. For most of these men and women, this is their first permanent home in a long time, if ever, and they are starting from scratch. Items might include pots, pans, dishes, utensils, coffee mugs, etc. Program recipients: Veterans and seniors Budget: Flexible. 

Here is your team’s chance to get creative! No-sew fleece blankets are a creative and heartfelt gift that will help keep the seniors and veterans in our residential programs warm during the winter months. And the best part is…you don't need to know how to sew! Anyone can do it—learn how. Program recipients:Veterans and seniors Budget: Flexible. 

Collect essential hygiene items to help encourage self-care for the adults and seniors in our residential programs by purchasing items such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste/toothbrushes, deodorant, lotion, etc. (no razors or mouthwash, please). Program recipients:Adults & seniors Budget:Flexible.

The sad reality is that many times, families entering our domestic violence shelters arrive with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. Your team can hold a drive to collect essential items for the new (or soon to be) mothers, such as onesies, bottles, pacifiers, socks, bibs, wash cloths, baby lotion, diapers, wipes, and formula. Program recipients:Mothers/guardians at our domestic violence shelters. Budget:Flexible.

Host a fun Holiday Carnival, Ice Cream Social or Outdoor Cookout for families and youngsters residing in our homeless and domestic violence shelters. Events like these can help reduce stress and deepen relationships between residents. Activities can include games, music, food, face painting, arts and crafts, and a barbecue. (Location: Queens, Manhattan or Brooklyn)

Bring all the fixings for a barbecue or luncheon at one of our veterans residences. Both have an outdoor space with a basketball hoop and chess tables. In addition to food, you may also bring board games, BINGO and arts and crafts activities to enjoy with our veterans. (Location: Manhattan or Bronx)

Paint, garden, and assist with décor at various VOA-GNY programmatic sites. These "home" improvement projects enable residents to feel connected to the community and foster a sense of pride for where they live. Program recipients: All. Budget: $3,000 minimum.

Host a Barbecue & Field Day or a Field Trip for youth aged 13-21 to make sure they don't miss out on this typical childhood experience. The youth who benefit from this program are in transition or crisis and live with us in group homes, short-term emergency shelters, or supportive housing programs for youth aging out of foster care. Field Day activities include a barbecue, softball, volleyball and basketball, contests (jump rope, hula hoop, water balloon toss), and raffles. (Location: Northern New Jersey)

Coach adults in our shelters and supportive housing residences through best practices for their job search, including resume help and mock interviews. We're currently developing a way to host these workshops remotely, including tips for video interviews. (Locations: Various)

Your team can help the children living at our family homeless and domestic violence shelters feel special and a sense of normalcy by experiencing the thrill of their birthday. Purchase age‐appropriate gifts and write “happy birthday” cards for the kids whose birthdays fall within that month (1 year commitment). You can also help them have the full birthday party experience by donating goody bags, cake, decorations and more. Program recipients:Children at our family and domestic violence shelters. Budget:Flexible. 

Help adults and children combat social isolation while staying safe indoors by creating custom activity books to keep them entertained. Have each member of your team contribute items like crossword puzzles, word searches, coloring pages or trivia questions and compile them into one book. We’ll provide you with a list of each child’s interests, so you can include something for everyone.

Leverage the unique talents of your team members by participating in skills-based volunteering. Provide homework help to children at our family shelters. Host a panel of experts from different departments in your company to help youth expand their awareness of career possibilities. Coach adults through best practices for job hunting, including preparing for video interviews.