Through personal, one-on-one interviews, the Volunteer
Referral Center matches people who want to volunteer
with opportunities at over 200 non-profit agencies in
New York City. The types of agencies range from social
services organizations, advocacy work, and children's
agencies to theater groups and museums. VRC has been
serving the NYC community for 15 years and is a great
place to learn about a wide range of volunteer needs.

Description:
What we do

VRC connects volunteers with the agencies that need them.

Thousands of people are anxious to donate their time and abilities but become frustrated because they don’t know where their talents are needed. At the same time, hundreds of NYC non-profit agencies are seeking competent volunteers to enable them to carry on their very important work. As a service organization, VRC has a dual role: providing the solutions for both the volunteer and the not-for-profit agencies. VRC is, in fact, a matchmaker. We assure a good agency-volunteer match by gathering pertinent information about both prospective volunteers and non-profit agencies.

VRC differs from other referral agencies in four ways. The VRC:

Personally interviews the prospective volunteers in depth;
Makes an appointment with the agencies at the time of the interview;
Follows up to see if the volunteer has been placed; and
Visits the agencies to which volunteers are referred.
Last year, VRC conducted nearly 1000 personal interviews and made approximately 2500 referrals to over 250 non-profit agencies in the five boroughs. The services we provide are free to volunteers.

VRC is a 501c3 organization. Its main funding comes from private donations while additional support is derived from corporations, foundations, and the registration fees paid by the non-profit agencies.



How we do it

Our personal approach is our strength.

Each person who expresses an interest in volunteering is given an appointment for a personal, in-depth interview with a trained volunteer interviewer. Interviews are conducted four days a week and evening sessions are held once a week.



The interview

When the volunteer arrives for an appointment, he/she completes a registration card. During the interview, the volunteer’s interests, skills, time availability and commitment are discussed. The interviewer explores those opportunities that seem appropriate for the potential volunteer.

When a suitable opportunity is decided upon, the interviewer attempts to arrange an appointment for the volunteer at the agency or agencies. If that is not possible, the volunteer is given sufficient information to make the appointment on his/her own. From that point on, the agency and volunteer work out the details of the job assignment. The interviewer does follow up with the volunteers to see if everything worked out.



Our non-profit agencies

VRC has compiled information on several hundred non-profit organizations throughout the five NYC boroughs. They range from A to Z and include agencies that provide services to people with Aids, to court monitoring organizations, homeless shelters, museums, services for the elderly and children as well as Zoos.

History:
VRC began in 1976 as a project of the Yorkville Civic Council serving the needs for volunteers of social service agencies as well as health and cultural institutions of the Upper East Side. In the fall of 1989, based on demand for its services, VRC expanded its scope to include all of Manhattan. At this time, VRC became incorporated as a not-for-profit organization and moved to its present location on Madison Avenue and 33rd Street. In 1995, VRC again expanded its services to include the five NYC boroughs.

VRC was founded and has flourished on the belief that volunteers not only enhance the programs they assist, but also benefit from the experience in several ways. They gain a broader perspective of the needs of the City and its people, become more informed citizens and more active advocates for community betterment and often improve their skills or learn new ones.

Contact people:

Brienne Cliadakis, Executive Director, (212) 889-4805, (email) Nancy Carr, President, (212) 889-4805, (email)

Address:

161 Madison Avenue #5SW New York, NY 10016 (See a map)

Directions:

We are located at 161 Madison Avenue, between 32nd and 33rd Streets, on the fifth floor. The closest subway is the #6 train at the 33rd street stop.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: 6 train at 33rd st.,   Walk distance (in minutes): 2