PSS's mission is to strengthen the capacity of older New Yorkers,

their families, and communities to thrive!

Toll-Free Caregiver Hotline: (866) 665-1713
PSS's mission is to strengthen the capacity of older New Yorkers,

their families, and communities to thrive!

Toll-Free Caregiver Hotline: (866) 665-1713

Volunteer Opportunities

The mission of the PSS Volunteer Services Program is to expand PSS’ ability to provide services, information, and support by fostering a culture of volunteerism within the organization. Our goal is to be the premier volunteer program for those interested in impacting the lives of others.

PSS created an official Volunteer Services Program in 2013 because the organization acknowledged the importance of the impact of volunteers and the need to streamline the volunteer process. PSS was founded by volunteers and already worked with volunteers (mostly members) but the centers and programs were all doing their own thing. The new program has brought uniformity to the selection process, enabled PSS to track existing volunteers and their work, and document their impact on client services.

With a small staff and lots of volunteers, we are able to deliver an abundance of outstanding programs and services to the community. Volunteers work directly with the staff or clients and are considered to be an integral part of the team. They may be included in training, informational sessions, and meetings that pertain to their volunteer assignment. Volunteers should expect to give the same careful attention to assignments as a paid employee. Each volunteer is expected to act as a positive ambassador for PSS’s programs and services. Our volunteers help promote positive images of aging, caregiving, and kinship youth and young adults. They also demonstrate accurate representations of PSS throughout the community.

For more information, contact volunteers@pssusa.org.

PSS Volunteers Facts!

PSS could not fulfill its mission without its indispensable volunteers and interns. And they in turn grow as individuals by performing valuable work for those we serve.

During Fiscal Year 2018 we had…

0
Service Hours completed by Volunteers & Interns
0
Volunteers and Interns at PSS

Current Volunteer Opportunities Available

Are you ready to volunteer with PSS?

Volunteers are a crucial part of a nonprofit organization. They not only bring needed extra hands but they bring their ideas, perspectives, beliefs, cultures, and “spheres of influence” to an organization. The work that volunteers can contribute to an organization is only limited by the creativity of the staff and prospective volunteer. PSS is committed to working within a culture of volunteerism: utilizing the skills and talents of all volunteers, creating a warm and safe place to serve, and appreciating the work and feedback of all volunteers.

AMP Facilitator

Responsibilities:

The Aging Mastery Program® (AMP) empowers older adults to make and maintain small but impactful changes in their behaviors. AMP consists of a core program (10 classes), elective classes, and specialty programs and offers an innovative approach to help individuals successfully navigate this phase of life. The program incorporates evidence-informed materials, expert speakers, group discussion, peer support, and small rewards to give participants the skills and tools they need to achieve measurable improvements in managing their health, remaining economically secure, and contributing actively to society.

Qualifications:

  • Strong communication and facilitation skills
  • Experience teaching older adults is also helpful, but certainly not required
  • Having both knowledge of and passion for the individual course subject matter
  • Comfortable interacting with Seniors

Caregiver Support Group Facilitator

Responsibilities:

Caring for someone to dementia can be a particularly difficult and consuming process. Our support groups, led by trained facilitators, provide caregivers with the opportunity to discuss the many challenges of caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, with others who understand. Our goal is to provide a safe setting which promotes mutual support, both practical and emotional, throughout the course of the disease.

Qualifications:

  • Bilingual in English and Spanish (preferred)
  • Compassion for caregivers
  • Dependable, punctual, reliable and consistent
  • Good listening skills and excellent verbal communication skills
  • Ability to suspend judgment while trying to understand from the caregiver’s point of view
  • Ability to use humor while showing genuine care and compassion for the caregiver

Clerical Assistant

Responsibilities:

  • Enters information into the Database
  • Answers the telephone; record and deliver messages
  • Creates and maintains signage, including bulletin boards
  • Makes copies, sends faxes, and do filing, as needed
  • Completes short intakes and member applications
  • Creates information packets
  • Creates member charts
  • Performs other related duties as assigned

Qualifications:

  • Outgoing team player
  • Strong communication and organization skills
  • Strong time management skills
  • Basic Microsoft Office skills
  • Has ability to learn new software
  • Comfortable with answering and making telephone calls
  • Comfortable interacting with Seniors
  • Bilingual in English and Spanish (preferred)

Front Desk/Reception

Responsibilities:

  • Answers Door
  • Greets members and guests
  • Takes breakfast and lunch donations
  • Takes members signatures and scans card for breakfast and lunch
  • Guides guests to appropriate office or staff
  • Performs other related duties as assigned

Qualifications:

  • Outgoing team player
  • Pleasant personality
  • Comfortable interacting with Seniors
  • Bilingual in English and Spanish (preferred)

Kitchen Aide

Responsibilities:

  • Prepares tables and trays
  • Helps prepare food if needed
  • Serves food
  • Helps clean tables and trays
  • Performs other related duties as assigned

Qualifications:

  • Outgoing team player
  • Comfortable interacting with Seniors
  • Experience serving food, a plus
  • Bilingual in English and Spanish (preferred)

Outreach Volunteer

Responsibilities:

  • The Outreach Volunteer will represent PSS at health fairs, hand out promotional material to health fair attendees and inform them of PSS’ services
  • Answers questions about the agency and provides forms when necessary

Qualifications:

  • Must present an outgoing nature
  • Highly professional appearance and articulate
  • Fluent Spanish speaker preferred

Workshop Facilitator

Responsibilities:

  • Design, present, evaluate, recommend, and disseminate high quality, culturally appropriate health education information and materials to senior population
  • Facilitate classes according to the organization’s guidelines
  • Verifies class attendance and submits attendance to supervisor
  • Performs other related duties as assigned

Qualifications:

  • Teaching or training experience
  • Comfortable interacting with Seniors
  • Group facilitation & presentation skills
  • Possible experience as Vocational Counselor or Life Coach
  • Great listener and who has a heart for working with, and empowering seniors
  • Outgoing team player

YYAS Mentor

Responsibilities:

  • Tutoring: A part of the direct youth work will be helping with homework assignments after school.
  • Coaching: Mentor Volunteers are expected to help coach youth on staying focused on school, applying for college and financial aid, finding vocational opportunities, applying for internships or part-time work, etc.
  • Planning/Development: Volunteers are expected to spend 30 minutes a week on planning their tutoring sessions to meet the needs of youth by working directly with the Youth Services Manager and Coordinator, as well as 15 minutes at the end of each day following up on needs, concerns, and highlights of their programming.

Qualifications:

  • Be enrolled in a college/university, provide at least one reference, and have a GPA above 2.5
  • If entering undergraduate college/university but not yet started, have two completed references
  • Volunteers are expected to be available at least twice a week, between 2:30 and 6:00 PM
  • Bilingual in English and Spanish (preferred)

We have so many other great volunteer opportunities. Please fill out our Contact Us form, and checkbox volunteer, and you will be contacted to discuss details. If you are in need of school credit, check out our Internship Opportunities.

PSS promotes the powerful impact and benefits of volunteering. If our opportunities do not match your needs, you can find more volunteering opportunities across NYC in this guide.

Testimonials

Being a volunteer digital communications consultant and photographer at PSS has been an outstanding experience. The mission and vision of the organization resonate strongly with my professional and personal values, and the talented, committed leadership and staff are a pleasure to work with. As I have given, so have I been given to through this experience!

Tanya P.
Volunteer

I have been volunteering at the PSS Andrew Jackson Senior Center since 2000. I volunteer in the garden, decorating for events and sharing safety tips. My purpose is to help ensure Senior Citizen health & safety.

Geraldine H.
Volunteer

I have volunteered as the Front Desk Receptionist for the last 5 years. I love meeting new people, sharing information with others, and participating in the Senior Center activities.

Virginia C.
Volunteer

I believe that interning with PSS is a valuable experience for any student. My internship provided me with the hands-on, real-world experience necessary to succeed in my field. Thank you PSS for the opportunity!

Kiara S., BSW
Intern

I am a Custodial Maintenance volunteer and I assist with maintaining the cleanliness of the facility. I enjoy the daily interaction with the other seniors. I get the most joy out of serving, with a purpose.

William F.
Volunteer

PSS Volunteers Mailing List

PSS Volunteer Services Program is committed to working within a culture of volunteerism: utilizing the skills and talents of all volunteers, creating a warm and safe place to serve, and appreciating the work and feedback of volunteers. With a small staff and lots of volunteers, PSS can deliver an abundance of outstanding programs and services to the community. Volunteers work directly with the staff or clients and are an integral part of the team. By joining this list, you will have access to information on open volunteer opportunities, upcoming and past events, our current volunteers in action, and general information about the benefits of volunteering.

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