Every year, hundreds of UNIS Tut House students are anxious about one thing and one thing only: community service hours (actually, also grades, the IB and what they’re going to do with their lives, but let’s pretend it’s community service). The poor souls toss and turn at night thinking about the different last-minute activities they can do or pretend they did to complete their mandatory CAS hours. More often than not, the average UNIS students community service is limited to volunteering during the Parent Teacher Conferences and other school events. And this introduces the dilemma of finding external UNIS hours to log in. Even though external community service opportunities are routinely broadcasted via emails and Schoology announcements, the average UNIS student still lacks enough external hours.

Through external hours, we are able to learn more about ourselves outside the UNIS environment and contribute to our immediate community. By volunteering outside of UNIS, we are opening ourselves to new experiences and new people. Below are some organizations and groups that you can volunteer with to provide you with external UNIS community service hours:

Reach Underserved Populations (Reach UP):

Link to Website: N/A

Document Needed: N/A

Age Requirements: N/A

Contact information: [email protected]

This is a club run by UNIS students that focuses on volunteer programs in minority communities. The club offers at least 14 hours of community service through weekly free tutoring services at an underprivileged school. The club is a great way to learn more about activism and engagement with issues you are passionate about.

NYC Parks:
Link to Website: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/volunteer

Document Needed: N/A

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This is an amazing way to fulfill external community service hours while helping maintain New York Parks. This volunteering opportunity is available throughout the year and happens at parks throughout the city. You can clean up NYC’s parks with your friends and meet new people.  Information about volunteering events are available on the website and you can sign up for newsletters informing you about volunteering events happening in parks near you.

Citymeals on Wheels:

Link to the Website: https://www.citymeals.org/

Document Needed: N/A

Age requirements: Children under 16 years have to be accompanied by an adult

An organization that provides free meals to senior citizens. You can volunteer by delivering food, helping prepare and serve food, and even having a friendly chat with the seniors.

Food Bank for New York City:

Link to the Website: https://www.foodbanknyc.org/

Document Needed: N/A

Age Requirements: Varies depending on activity

“The Food Bank for New York City is one of the country’s largest food banks.” Volunteer services can involve “working in the Warehouse Repack Program, the community kitchen, and helping out in the food pantry.” You can volunteer alongside your family and friends while helping to provide food to New York’s impoverished communities.

Aside from volunteering with organizations, you can also take initiative and engage in activities like:

. Volunteering at you local soup kitchen

. Volunteering at your local library and teaching little kids how to read

. Getting involved in your community’s food drives

. Volunteering at your local animal shelter

. Coaching the little kids in your neighborhood if you excel at sports.

All of these activities will not only help you fulfill your external community service requirements but also help you become more engaged with your community. Feel free to try out these options!