Top 5 Places to Volunteer Near Me

By Ashley Ye | March 10, 2025

Looking for places to volunteer near you? Discover meaningful opportunities to mentor youth, support education, and give back to your community. Sign up today and make a lasting impact!

What are some places in NYC where volunteers are needed?

New York City is home to countless young people who can benefit from mentorship, academic support, and enrichment opportunities. Whether you’re passionate about helping students improve their reading skills, guiding first-generation college applicants, or fostering positive youth development, there are many organizations looking for dedicated volunteers. Here are some great places where you can make a difference:

1. Apex for Youth

Apex for Youth empowers Asian American youth from low-income and immigrant backgrounds to unlock their potential today and a world of possibility tomorrow.

2. Big Brothers Big Sisters NYC

Pair young people with adult mentors who provide long-term support, guidance, and encouragement.

3. New York Cares

Offers a range of volunteer opportunities, including after-school tutoring, college prep, and youth enrichment programs.

4. Minds Matter NYC

Supports high-achieving, low-income high school students with SAT prep, mentorship, and college admissions guidance.

5. iMentor NYC

Pairs volunteers with high school students to assist with college preparation, career planning, and personal development.

What are the Benefits of Volunteering in My Community?

Volunteering is more than just giving your time—it’s about building connections, developing new skills, and making a lasting impact. Whether you’re mentoring a youth, or supporting a nonprofit, your efforts contribute to a stronger and more connected society. Organizations like Apex for Youth offer unique opportunities to engage in meaningful service while fostering personal and professional growth.

Inspire the Next Generation: As a volunteer, you will create a supportive community where every child has the resources, mentorship, and opportunities to thrive. At Apex, volunteering is a shared journey where you’ll grow alongside the youth you work with.
Special Events & Networking Opportunities: Access to fun seasonal social events and interest groups with Apex’s dedicated volunteer community.
Lifelong Friendships & Connections: Apex for Youth is more than a volunteer opportunity—it’s a community. Connect with a network of 1,000+ passionate volunteers, community leaders, and industry professionals.
Memorable Experiences & Fun Activities: Share fun, meaningful experiences with the young people you work with — whether it’s ice skating, rock climbing, or enjoying a Broadway show together.

“Mentoring gives mentees another lens to see the world. Young boys go through a lot of change over a very short period of time and immense societal pressure. I think it is helpful to have someone who is close to that and remembers that period of change well, and can help guide them through it.”

– Sid G, Apex for Youth Mentor

How Do I Volunteer in New York?

If you’re ready to get started, here’s how:

Identify Your Interests – Consider causes you’re passionate about, like youth mentorship, food insecurity, or environmental work. If you’re interested in working directly with young people, Apex for Youth offers mentorship and education programs.
Search for Local Organizations – Visit their websites, attend events, or contact them to ask about volunteer opportunities. Apex accepts year-round applications and we’re actively recruiting volunteers for our Fall season. Apply here.
Sign Up & Commit – Choose an opportunity that aligns with your availability and skills, and show up consistently to make an impact. Some NYC non profits organizations offer one-time volunteering events, while programs like Apex for Youth’s mentorship program require a long-term commitment, ensuring that mentees receive consistent support.

Spread the Word – Encourage friends and family to volunteer alongside you to maximize your impact. Volunteering is even more meaningful when shared with a community!

Apex for Youth has some exciting upcoming volunteer social events that you can hangout with your peers while learning about the volunteer opportunities available.

Here are some Upcoming Volunteer Social Events for Apex for Youth:

Stay connected with the Apex for Youth community! Follow us at @apexforyouth for event updates and RSVP details.

Queens Volunteer Social

📅 Date & Time: Saturday, April 19 | 4:00–6:00 PM
📍 Location: ELM Roastery (8330a Broadway, Queens, NY 11373)

Brooklyn Volunteer Socials:

📅 Date & Time: Saturday, April 19 | 4:00–6:00 PM
📍 Location: Movement Gowanus (242 Butler St, Brooklyn, NY 11217)

📅 Date & Time: Saturday, May 17 | 4:00–7:00 PM
📍 Location: Five Boroughs Brewing (215 47th St, Brooklyn, NY 11220)

📅 Date & Time: Sunday, May 4 | 10:00 AM
📍 Location: Run through Sunset Park

Join Apex for Youth’s Volunteer Programs

Our volunteer programs span across the boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Flushing, Queens, offering a variety of opportunities to make a difference.

Our Programs:

Elementary Volunteers in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens

- - Mentoring focuses on group mentorship, such as the Elementary Explorers and Read with Apex programs, which help students bond with adults and peers through hands-on activities, immersive field trips and small group reading and storytelling.
  - Athletics empower our youth to feel confident both on and off the court with a strong community of coaches and peers, nourishing their minds and bodies to cultivate essential life skills such as perseverance and resilience.
  - Winter, spring, and summer break programs provide safe and productive spaces for students to learn, play, and make new friends while school is out.

Middle School Volunteers in Manhattan and Brooklyn

- - Mentoring, focused on 1:1 mentorship in a cohort setting, allows youth to build both mentor and peer relationships as they explore their identity and emotions.
  - Athletics, including basketball, running club, yoga, volleyball and the We Run as One Basketball Tournament, leverage strong relationships with committed volunteer coaches to hone physical wellbeing and cultivate a strong growth mindset.

High School Volunteers in Manhattan and Brooklyn

- - Mentoring, both Apex’s National Virtual Mentoring Program and High School Mentoring Program, provides support to youth as they pursue their social, emotional and academic goals
  - College Access Program matches pairs of 11th and 12th graders with an adult volunteer College Guide to help students navigate all parts of the college application, financial aid, acceptance and scholarship search process
  - Career Exploration Program provides high school students with networking opportunities and professional development workshops to learn about diverse career pathways and identify their professional interests and strengths.

Young Adults Volunteers in-person and virtually

- Career Connections, focuses on pairing youth with a 1:1 mentor to support their career development and growth. Through personalized guidance, mentees will create a tailored plan that gives them immediate next steps and a long-term view of what to expect as they pursue a profession.
- Career Exploration Program provides college students with networking opportunities and professional development workshops to learn about diverse career pathways and identify their professional interests and strengths.

For Mentors: The Impact You Make at Apex for Youth

Inspire the Next Generation: As a mentor, you will create a supportive community where every child has the resources, mentorship, and opportunities to thrive. At Apex, mentorship isn’t a one-way street—it’s a mutual journey where you’ll grow as much as your mentee.
Enjoy Special Events, Experiences and Exclusive Networking Opportunities: Connect with a network of 1,000+ passionate volunteers, community leaders, and industry professionals who share your commitment to uplifting Asian American youth. Enjoy invitations to special events like Taste of Asia, Casino Night, and volunteer socials.
Foster Lifelong Friendships and Connections: Apex for Youth is more than a volunteer opportunity—it’s a community. Build lifelong friendships with like-minded changemakers while making a real difference in the lives of our youth.

Volunteering isn’t just about helping others—it’s about creating a community where everyone has the support and encouragement to thrive. By getting involved with Apex for Youth, you’re not just giving your time; you’re shaping futures, building relationships, and making a lasting difference.

💡 Interested in becoming a mentor or mentee? Join Apex for Youth and start your journey today.

TESTIMONIALS

My mentor Aiden is the older brother I never had. The Apex community is a family I can turn to when I have no sense of direction and an anchor of support during times of hardship. Through Apex I’ve grown to be a lot more confident and open.

— ERIC,

Apex for Youth Mentee

Joining Apex is probably one of the best decisions I ever made when I moved to New York. It has helped me meet so many new friends, create life long connections, be more in touch with being Asian American and investing in my mentee and seeing first hand how impactful these programs are in supporting youth in their development and growth.”

— KRISTEN HOM,

Volunteer since 2017

The best part of the program was seeing some kids start to show signs of improvement, and also to see engagement go up as new drills and games were incorporated into the program. Playing games was also great because those times were essentially focused on only having fun.”

— CHRISTOPHER JACKSON,

PS 169 Elem Basketball coach in FY24

I loved that it was a small group and therefore relatively tight-knit. I really enjoyed the activities we did during the workshop and felt that they were a good mix of fun and educational/constructive activities for the group. The Apex staff were so dynamic, kind, and dedicated. I also loved that Sunset Park was not just a location for the workshops, but a community which we had the opportunity to learn about and be a part of – it was special getting to learn about and better understand the community that our mentees grew up in/spent a lot of time in.”

— MAYA VISHWANATH,

6th grader mentor in MSMP BK in FY24

How to Mentor Teens Successfully in a Virtual Setting

Virtual mentoring is not just a convenient option—it’s a powerful tool for transforming lives. In fact, 87% of mentees report feeling more confident and empowered after participating in virtual mentorship. This shows just how impactful these connections can be.

Finding Free Mentoring Programs for Youth Near Me

The right mentor can change a young person’s life. Mentorship isn’t just about guidance—it’s about believing in someone’s potential and giving them the tools to achieve it.