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Community Corner

Remember 9/11 by Helping Your Community

9/11 National Day of Service a call for volunteers to make a difference.

Like many retirees, Celia Brown found herself in a transition mode. "I wanted to figure out something substantive to do," said the White Plains resident.

Brown contacted the Volunteer Center of the United Way, hoping to put her experience as a human resources executive to work.

One of Brown's specialties was coaching professionals as they moved into new positions within a company.

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Brown spoke to Alisa Kesten, the new executive director of the Volunteer Center, and found the perfect volunteer opportunity – Brown would work directly with Kesten to help smooth her way into the challenging role as leader of a large organization.

"Alisa was two months in as executive director, and we clicked," Brown said. "We got together once a week and we'd talk about her priorities and strategies."

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Brown is among a new breed of volunteers – people who use their professional skills and experience to assist non-profit organizations that need specialized assistance but can't afford to pay for it.

 "Skilled volunteering," as it is called, is particularly appealing during a tough economy when so many people are out of work. 

"It's an opportunity to do professional work and sharpen their skills," Brown said. "It gives people a reason to be. Looking for a job is not exactly fulfilling."

For people considering volunteering, the upcoming 9/11 National Day of Service is a good time to make it happen. Organized annually by MyGoodDeed Inc. and other groups, the 9/11 Day of Service encourages Americans to support charitable causes, perform good deeds and engage in other service activities in observance of the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks on the U.S.

Nationally, the number of people volunteering has grown significantly since 2008, according to the Corporation for National and Community Service.

That trend is reflected in the number of people working with the Volunteer Center,

Alisa Kesten said. 

"Last year we connected over 15,000 volunteers to about 500 nonprofits. They provided more than 282,000 hours of service that was valued at nearly $8 million," Kesten said.

The Volunteer Center will release specific numbers in the coming weeks, but Kesten said, "We will absolutely see a significant increase over last year."

She added that there's always a need for volunteers.

"We're continuing to do what we always do – help people find the right opportunity and make sure it's meaningful for them," Kesten said.

Contact the Volunteer Center to find out more.

Below are some of the organizations in the area that offer volunteer opportunities:

Meals on Wheels, Bronxville: (914)787-3087

Lunchtime meals are delivered to the homebound in the area six days a week.

 

Back-to-School Clothes for Kids, White Plains: www.backtoschoolclothes.org

Provides new school clothing for needy kids in Westchester County.

 

Animal Link, Harrison: www.animal-link.org

Dedicated to promoting the humane treatment of all living creatures. Serves as anetworking and information resource for people working to improve animal welfare.

 

Literacy Volunteers of Westchester County, Yonkers and Mt. Vernon: www.literacywestchester.org

Provides student-centered English literacy services to adults in Westchester County.

 

Fun for Cure Inc., Scarsdale:  www.funforcure.com

Provides support for children with chronic disabilities and their families.

 

Heartsong Inc., Scarsdale: www.heartsong.org

Music and art therapy program for children with special needs.

 

Habitat for Humanity, New Rochelle: www.habitatwc.org

Builds affordable housing throughout the county.

 

Hospice Care in Westchester and Putnam, Tarrytown: www.vnahv.com

We assist individuals of every age, with compassionate care, in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes. Provides nursing care, rehabilitation, therapy and social work services.

 

Make-a-Wish Foundation, Tarrytown: www.hudson.wish.org

Grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

 

Riverkeeper, Tarrytown: www.riverkeeper.org

Mission is to protect the ecological integrity of the Hudson River and its tributaries, and to safeguard the drinking water supply of New York City and the lower Hudson Valley.

 

My Second Home of FSW, Mt. Kisco:  www.mysecondhome.org

Intergenerational day program, specialized care/activities for individuals with physical and other impairments

 

ALOFT, Mt. Kisco: www.goaloft.org

Enables older adults to remain safely and confidently in their own homes and communities. 

 

Richmond Community Services, Mt. Kisco: www.richmondcommserv.org

Provides residential and day programing to enable individuals with significant disabilities to live with dignity and the fullest, richest lives possible.

 

Neighbors Link, Mt. Kisco: www.neighborslink.org

Helping to educate, empower, and employ non-English speaking residents.

 

Community Center of Northern Westchester, Katonah: www.communitycenternw.org

Seeks to improve the dignity of all in need in Northern Westchester by providing supplemental food, clothing, and access to other resources.

 

Friends of Karen, Purdys: www.friendsofkaren.org

Provides emotional, financial and advocacy support to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

 

Hope's Door, Pleasantville: www.northernwestchestershelter.org

Formerly The Northern Westchester Shelter, the non-profit organization provides a safe haven and caring services to survivors of domestic violence.

 

Cancer Support Team, Mamaroneck: www.cancersupportteam.org

Provides professional nursing, social work, and other supportive services free of charge to cancer patients and their families.

 

South East Consortium for Special Services, Mamaroneck: www.secrec.org

Dedicated to providing therapeutic recreation programs and leisure-related services to children and adults with disabilities and special needs.

 

Washingtonville Housing Alliance, Mamaroneck: www.washingtonvillehousing.org

Constructs new housing and improves existing housing for low and moderate income residents.

 

Pet Rescue of Larchmont: www.ny-petrescue.org

Pet Rescue is not a formal shelter, but a small group of volunteers that fosters dogs and cats until they are adopted.

 

Rye Nature Center: www.ryenaturecenter.org

Rye Nature Center provides a full range of environmental education programs and activities.

 

Rye Association for the Handicapped:  http://ryehandicapped.homestead.com

Offers support to adults with permanent physical disabilities.

 

Family Services of Westchester, Port Chester: www.fsw.org

Offers a broad range of social and mental health services to strengthen and support families and individuals. Includes Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Westchester.

 

Cerebral Palsy of Westchester, Port Chester: www.cpwestchester.org

Seeks to advance the independence and productivity of people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. 

 

Support Connection Inc., Yorktown: www.supportconnection.org

Provides support for women with ovarian and breast cancer. 

 

SPARC Special Program and Resource Connection, Yorktown: www.sparcinc.org

Works to improve the lives of people with developmental disabilities and special needs.

 

For more local volunteer opportunities, click here.

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