Volunteer opportunities with the archdiocese and its parishes span the city and the upper counties this summer, offering people young and old plenty of ways to make a difference in 2026.
At Catholic Charities of New York, administrators, staff, and volunteer leaders invite everyone to help “solve the problems of New Yorkers in need, non-Catholics and Catholics alike.” They ask supporters to remember the neglected child, the homeless family, and the hungry senior, the very people for whom they work to “provide help and create hope.”
Heart, dignity, and compassion
“Volunteers are truly essential to the work that we do. So many of our programs would not be able to run without the volunteers who show up every day and help us deliver our services with incredible heart, dignity, and compassion,” Christina Perez, associate director of Agency Relations at CCNY, told The Good Newsroom.
“We are so grateful for the tireless commitment of our volunteers. From those who wake up early to open our food pantries and distribute food, to those who share their legal expertise with our immigration programs, and the teachers and tutors who support our budgeting and ESOL classes, each volunteer demonstrates selflessness by putting others first. We are always looking to welcome more people who want to share their time, talents, and experience with our neighbors,” Perez added.
“You can do your part too, by volunteering to work with one of our 84 independent affiliated agencies, located throughout Manhattan, Putnam, Bronx, Dutchess, Orange, Sullivan, Westchester, Ulster, Staten Island, and Rockland counties,” Catholic Charities of New York says on its website.
Through volunteer work and donations, CCNY says, “we count on you to sustain our work — feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, supporting families in crisis, caring for children and youth, welcoming and integrating refugees and immigrants, assisting the disabled, and so much more. Help bring human dignity to women, children, individuals, and their communities throughout New York.” Learn more at the Catholic Charities of New York website.
Alianza Dominicana offers another path to serve. In July 2012, Catholic Charities Community Services opened talks with the longstanding Washington Heights youth-serving organization, a partnership that led to the creation of the Alianza Division within CCCS. For volunteer opportunities, click here.
Sisters of Life
In Rockland County, the Bronx, Yonkers, and Manhattan, the Sisters of Life, women religious “captivated by the truth of the beauty of every human person,” created in God’s image and likeness, welcome “coworkers,” or volunteers, to serve alongside them in their mission to protect and enhance the sacredness of human life. To join their efforts, visit their website.
The archdiocese also hosts several 40 Days for Life campaigns at local abortion clinics. Volunteers are encouraged to commit to prayerful activism by signing up through online campaigns. “Your prayerful presence can offer hope to women in crisis and save the lives of the vulnerable unborn,” coordinators said in informational material. You can view local opportunities here.
In the parishes
Opportunities abound at the parish level too. St. Nicholas of Tolentine in the Bronx runs an active food pantry and keeps its doors and windows sparkling with volunteer help: “We have a dedicated group of parishioners that cleans our church every Saturday morning. We would love to have you join us.” Click this link for more information about volunteering.
At Sacred Heart Church in Hartsdale, in Westchester County, the parish takes its cue from Mother Teresa: “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” The Sacred Heart Network of Care is the parish’s answer to that call, meeting neighbors’ needs with food, help, and hope. “We address food insecurity within our Sacred Heart family and our greater community.” To volunteer, visit this link.