The Best Local Places to Volunteer With Your Kids
Here's a roundup of some great charitable organizations that welcome help from kids & teens. So roll up your sleeves and get out there.
My husband and I attended a talk last year at Ridgefield Library to see Never Enough author Jennifer B. Wallace. If you’re not familiar, the book is about toxic achievement culture and how parents can address the issue head-on at home.
That night, I jotted down something she said that struck me. When asked about how we can help our kids not feel so anxious, depressed or lonely as they get older, Wallace said the answer is simple:
“We need to help them matter.”
The Harvard Study of Adult Development, one of the longest-running (80+ years) studies of the factors that contribute to happiness and success in life, backs up her theory.
Wallace argued that kids who feel they matter—to their families, friends, and community around them—are more likely to thrive in adolescence and adulthood. They become, in her words, “healthy achievers.” Fast forward to today, and she’s started an entire movement about why mattering matters.
As a millennial parent with little kids who is well aware of the pressures coming our way in the next decade or so, this was a revelation. Sure, my husband and I try to instill some sense of responsibility in our girls—they do chores around the house and they’ll help pack up donations for food & clothing drives at school. That sort of thing. But I think it’s high time we start getting out there and volunteering. You know: rolling up our sleeves and actually getting our hands dirty.
For this week's Ask an Expert column, I’m closing out National Volunteer Month with a roundup of some great places you can volunteer with your kids. Shoutout to all the volunteer coordinators and other professionals at these organizations who were more than happy to send me all the important info I needed to pass on to you.
JUMP TO: Food Assistance & Support, Environmental & Conservation, Community & Social Services, Animal Welfare, Volunteer Resources
If you have anything to add, comment below or just send me a message and I’ll update the list. Hopefully this will inspire you and your family to get out there and do some good.
xo,
K
Food Assistance & Support
Meals on Wheels (Ridgefield) >>
Meals on Wheels Ridgefield is a volunteer-based program that brings nutritious meals to any Ridgefield resident who cannot prepare meals on their own. Volunteer Michelle Lange told me they always welcome kids to decorate lunch bags. “It’s a fun and easy way to contribute to the cause, and has a huge impact on our clients.”
You can pick up lunch bags at the M.O.W. kitchen (25 Gilbert St.) any Mon/Wed/Fri between 8AM-12PM and return them to the same location. Contact Michelle Lange at mowthanks@yahoo.com for more information. >>
Filling in the Blanks (Norwalk) >>
Filling in the Blanks provides weekend meals to children in need in Fairfield and Westchester Counties. Volunteer Coordinator Michele Casey recently told me that while many of their volunteer opportunities at the warehouse are for adults and teens aged 14+, they do have community events like their annual Unite to Fight 5K Run/Walk, as well as various needs throughout the year.
One fun opportunity coming up: They’re looking for homemade cookie donations for their Mobile Pantries in May to celebrate mothers. Send an email to volunteer@fillingintheblanks.org for more info on how you can contribute. 🍪 >>
The Daily Bread Pantry (Danbury) >>
The Daily Bread Food Pantry is a community-focused, volunteer-run organization dedicated to providing healthy food free of charge to individuals and families in need. President Peter Kent told me kids U16 can absolutely volunteer with an adult. Their main need for volunteers is when their pantry is open from Monday-Saturday.
“Daily Bread operates much like a regular store,” he said. “So the kind of volunteer work available is the same kinds of things you'd do there. We’ve got a unique vibe and always welcome new volunteers of all ages to lend a hand.” >>
Mt Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry (Mount Kisco) >>
Mt Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry is the largest food pantry in Northern Westchester, serving nearly 700 families a week across 21 communities. Roberta Horowitz, the Director of Programs and Volunteers, tells me they currently don't have any opportunities for young children at the moment, but teens aged 16+ can volunteer at one of their three distribution centers. At age 15 you can start to volunteer with a parent. >>
Feeding Westchester (Elmsford) >>
Feeding Westchester is such a great organization dedicated to ending hunger and food insecurity in Westchester County. Director of Volunteer Services Jandery De La Cruz told me that once you sign up on their volunteer portal, you can register for opportunities that fit your availability & age-range.
To volunteer in the distribution center, kids must be at least 12, and those aged 12-16 must be accompanied by an adult. Only kids aged 16+ can volunteer at a Mobile Food Pantry. They do offer “youth repack sessions,” where kids aged 8+ can volunteer with an adult.
The Help From Home bags initiative is a great option, too. “They’re always in high demand and are a great way to support Feeding Westchester,” says De La Cruz. “Some kids even include stickers or drawings, which is so appreciated.” For more great ideas on how kids can volunteer their time, check out this flyer. >>
Here are some other great volunteer-run food-focused organizations you might consider. Make sure you contact the volunteer coordinators directly to inquire about any family-friendly opportunities or initiatives they offer.
Hillside Food Outreach (Mount Kisco) – A food pantry delivering groceries to individuals and families facing food insecurity. >>
Westchester Local Food Project (North Salem) – An initiative that connects local farmers and food producers with the community to promote sustainable agriculture and access to fresh food. >>
Community Food Rescue (Danbury) – A non-profit whose mission is to provide food for local agencies to help them feed locals in need. >>
Dorothy Day Hospitality House (Danbury) – A soup kitchen and shelter providing meals and support services to the homeless and those in need. Volunteer Joe Simons told me they’ve got lots of family-friendly ideas on the volunteer page—like making and donating sandwiches—but said to act fast as they tend to book up quickly. >>
Environmental & Conservation
Sound Waters (Stamford) >>
This charity hosts seasonal clean-up days year-round, where they give you all the tools you need to walk the public shoreline and pick up debris. Great for friends and families with kids of all ages. The next one is on Sunday, May 11 at Cummings Park in Stamford. >>
Onatru Farm Park & Preserve (South Salem) >>
Owned by the Town of Lewisboro, this park and preserve offers lots of opportunities for families to pitch in and help maintain its beauty. Nature educator and volunteer Deanna Novak told me they’ve got a community cleanup day coming up in June, which is geared to age 10+ (and possibly younger kiddos). I’ll make sure this one’s on The Plan calendar, so stay tuned for that. >>
Westchester Land Trust (Bedford Hills) >>
Westchester Land Trust is a nonprofit organization founded in 1988 by residents of Lewisboro and Bedford to protect our local preserves. Preserve Manager Ben Kleist tells me they’ve got so many volunteer ops throughout the year for families with kids & teens. This spring, they’ll be doing a tree planting day at Hunter Brook Preserve in Yorktown Heights, and community gardening at their very own Sugar Hill Farm in Bedford Hills. “It’s a great way for kids to connect with the land and build community,” says Kleist. I’ll be posting all of their upcoming kid-friendly volunteer ops in The Plan calendar! >>
The #CapCares Volunteer Program >>
This program lets you earn free show tickets at The Capitol Theater in Port Chester by making a difference at our local parks and farms. How cool is that? Kids do everything from pruning young trees to clearing brush. Friend of The Plan Katie Sheehan does the D.I.G. Farm one every year and says her kids “love it!” Check the website for age requirements for each volunteer opportunity. >>
Westmoreland Sanctuary (Mount Kisco) >>
Westmoreland Sanctuary is a not-for-profit, independent nature center and wildlife preserve with a mission to “acquire, enrich, and preserve land for the free use, enjoyment, and education of all.” Director of Conservation Steve Ricker told me their Animal Care Sessions are popular with kids aged 7+, as are their Conservation Volunteer Days throughout the year. Sign up for their weekly newsletter for information on upcoming dates & times for those. >>
Lewisboro Garden Club: “Golden Roads” Daffodil Program (Lewisboro) >>
You know all those daffodils that pop up around town every spring? You can thank the Lewisboro Garden Club for those. Their annual “Golden Roads” daffodil planting day every November is a great weekend activity for kids & grownups. They’ve also got lots of other family-friendly initiatives throughout the year, like “Rooting for Lewisboro,” where you can pick up a sapling and plant a native tree in your yard. >>
Community & Social Services
Community Center of Northern Westchester (Bedford Hills) >>
This non-profit organization is more than a fantastic donation center—they provide essential resources, programs, and support services to individuals and families in need throughout Northern Westchester.
While adults and teens can apply to volunteer at the Center, Director of Development & Communications Lisa Brotmann told me there are ways for parents to help younger kids connect to CCNW’s cause. They’re always looking for clothing and food donations, and mentioned their annual “Moms For Moms” drive coming up May 1-15. “It's our annual collection of diapers, wipes, and period products for families in need with young children,” says Brotmann. “It’s a great initiative to involve your kids.” >>
Community Fostered (Ridgefield) >>
Community Fostered is a partner to the Department of Children and Families in Danbury, and works to connect foster & biological families with the resources they need. Volunteer and Ridgefield mom of 3 Jennifer Sunderman told me their big initiative occurs every December. They collect specific gift wishes from 250+ kids and then volunteers sign up to fulfill them.
“Because we provide de-identified info about each child—like an 8yo girl who loves Harry Potter—it’s so much fun for your kids to help you shop for gifts.” They’ve also got a backpack drive every August, and a foster family picnic where the kids can “shop” for their back to school essentials from the supplies donated. Join their Facebook group to stay in the loop! >>
Boys & Girls Club (Ridgefield) >>
The Boys & Girls Club is such a great youth development organization that has a ton of programs to inspire young people. The Torch Club for middle schoolers, for example, makes sandwiches each month for Dorothy Day Hospitality House and volunteers around town all year long. The best part: You don’t have to be a member to join the club. The club meets every Tuesday afternoon. For more info, email Tim Cozens at tcozens@bgcridgefield.org.
Additionally, they’ve got a Keystone Club Program for high schoolers, and a Gem Club program for 5th graders, which is a precursor to Torch Club. The Gem Club meets on Monday afternoons and is focused on service, anti-bullying and recycling. Love it! >>
SOAR Together (Ridgefield) >>
SOAR Together is a non-profit dedicated to ending loneliness and social isolation through programs and partnerships that promote social engagement and a sense of belonging. Founder Ginger Smith recently told me SOAR partners with Lion's Heart, National Charity League groups, and some individual students who are seeking volunteer/service hours.
"I consider all of our programs volunteer opportunities, as we ask attendees to help others by being 'social sparks.'" They've got "Walk & Talk" events scheduled for June 21, August 16 and October 18, and stay tuned for more information on their flower program this spring. >>
Ridgefield Special Olympics (Ridgefield) >>
Special Olympics Ridgefield is a local program of Special Olympics Connecticut, providing year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Volunteer Staci Schmitt said they could really use some extra hands this year—particularly for the 3 sports happening right now: cycling, track and swim.
Schmitt says their sport seasons run from March through the beginning of June, and then they’ll do bowling from August through November. To volunteer, you must be at least 12 years old. If this seems like a good fit for your family, reach out to Staci for more info: stacischmitt@gmail.com. >>
The Lewisboro Kids’ Community Club (South Salem) >>
The Lewisboro Kids' Community Club creates connections between Lewisboro’s youngest citizens and the volunteers and workers who serve our town. They organize all sorts of great fundraisers and community volunteer projects, like regular luncheons with Lewisboro's seniors and the annual Veteran’s Day Cookie Drop.
Co-founder and local mom Sam Zaffiro told me they’re planning a Veteran's Social with the Lewisboro Veterans Association at the Horse and Hound in South Salem on May 12, which will be “a wonderful opportunity for families to come out and support our local veterans and meet some of our 'hometown heroes' in person.” (I’ll make sure this is on The Plan calendar.) Follow their Facebook page to stay in the loop! >>
The Lewisboro Library Fair (South Salem) >>
This annual community event organized every September by the Lewisboro Library in Onatru Farm Park relies on a ton of volunteers to make this one a success. My kids and I go every year and love it.
Fair Coordinator Nina Andrews told me they’ll absolutely need volunteers of all ages on August 9, 16, and 23 to help organize donated books and attic treasures to be sold at the fair. There are so many volunteer opportunities before, during and after the event, so keep an eye out for the signup sheet link—I’ll be sure to post it in The Plan when it goes out in May. >>
Westchester’s Christmas Dinner (Katonah) >>
Westchester's Christmas Dinner is a community-funded, volunteer-led nonprofit that has been serving the Northern Westchester community since 1994. They offer a free Christmas Day dinner, along with clothing and gifts, to local families who might otherwise go without.
Board member Jamer Breene told me there are a few opps for families with kids—like dinnertime entertainment, helping with arts & crafts, assistance with gifting, and serving food. He said to "act fast" as these slots fill up quickly! They typically send out a call for volunteers in November (which I’ll include in The Plan), so stay tuned. >>
Katonah Village Improvement Society (Katonah) >>
The Katonah Village Improvement Society (KVIS) is an organization of neighbors working together to cultivate Katonah's unique character and community. They’re the team behind all the great town events—like the Katonah-ween Parade and the K5K race—as well as all the family-friendly volunteer days. Their Spring Clean-Up Day coming up on May 3, for example, is a great way for your family to pitch in. >>
Friends of Karen (North Salem) >>
Friends of Karen is a non-profit dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses and their families. Volunteer Coordinator Allison Watson told me they’ve got all sorts of ways families can volunteer, either on-site or at home. Click here for some great at-home ideas you can do with the kids.
If you want to volunteer on-site, you can sign up to help pack backpacks for their back-to-school program over the summer, and/or the Adopt a Family program during November-December. For more info, email allisonwatson@friendsofkaren.org. >>
Grace Farms (New Canaan) >>
Grace Farms, an internationally recognized humanitarian and cultural center on 80 acres of publicly-accessible natural landscape, offers family volunteer opportunities for visitors throughout the year. Assistant Director of Education Mary Janacek reminded me of their annual Gifting for Good program coming up on December 5, which invites families to assemble care packages in support of a local charity. And every Christmas season, they display the Giving Tree where you and your kids can select a donation card to help a local family in need. Learn more on their website. >>
Westchester Youth Alliance (Chappaqua) >>
The Westchester Youth Alliance empowers diverse high school students throughout the county to engage in community service. There are so many volunteer opportunities throughout the year for teens in Westchester to make a difference. Next up: Earth Day cleanup at Hilltop Hanover Farm on April 27. >>
Neighbor to Neighbor (Pound Ridge) >>
Neighbor to Neighbor (N2N) is a volunteer-driven organization offering food, clothing, and other aid to Pound Ridge residents. There are lots of family-friendly volunteer opportunities throughout the year, like the “Project Cupid” event every February, or the St. Patrick’s Day luncheon every March. Camille Prisco from the Town of Pound Ridge Senior Services department recently told me they may be in need of young volunteers who could help with tech support over the summer break. Reach out to Camille at PRSeniors@townofpoundridge.com if interested. >>
The Pound Ridge Partnership (Pound Ridge) >>
This community organization hosts a ton of community events (think: Food Truck Fridays and the annual Color Run), but they also offer lots of family-friendly volunteer opportunities throughout the year. I'll be sure to include them in The Plan calendar and newsletter, so keep an eye out. In the meantime, sign up now to be a volunteer and let them know what kinds of events interest you and your family. >>
Family and Children’s Aid (Danbury) >>
Family & Children’s Aid (FCA) is a non-profit focused on providing mental health care and therapeutic support for children and their families. Development Coordinator Millie North tells me there are lots of ways families can get involved. “We always welcome youth-led donation drives for essentials like non-perishable food items, hygiene products, art supplies, new toys or sporting goods, and new books,” she said. Click here for more information on that.
She said they’re also happy to welcome big kid volunteers who can help organize donations at their warehouse. And if your kid is a baseball fan, you might want to volunteer for their June 7 MLB event at Rogers Park in Danbury. Looks great. For more info on how to get involved, you can email millie.north@fcaweb.org. >>
National Charity League >>
National Charity League is a philanthropic organization comprised of mothers with daughters in grades 7th–9th who volunteer together in community service, leadership development, and cultural experiences. There’s a Northern Westchester Chapter, a New Canaan Chapter, and a Ridgefield Chapter nearby. >>
Here are some other great volunteer-run community-focused organizations you might consider. Make sure you contact the volunteer coordinators directly to inquire about any family-friendly opportunities or initiatives they offer.
Lewisboro Lions Club (South Salem) – The Lions Club is dedicated to community service and addressing various needs in Lewisboro. They host community events like the annual roadside cleanup in Lewisboro, which happened this past weekend. >>
Boys Team Charity (Westchester County) – A volunteer service organization for young men and their families, fostering community service and leadership skills. >>
The Ronald McDonald House of Greater Hudson Valley (Valhalla) – A home-away-from-home for families of seriously ill children receiving medical care at nearby hospitals. Stay tuned for more info on their Youth Program for community service hours. >>
Danbury Youth Services (Danbury) – A non-profit agency that provides a wide range of counseling, support, and prevention programs to empower youth and families in the Danbury community. >>
Animal Welfare
Rock n' Rescue (Bedford Hills) >>
Rock n' Rescue is a non-profit animal rescue organization with a mission to rescue pets in order to provide therapeutic solutions for people in our community. Director Juli Cialone told me kids can fill out a volunteer application with parental consent. Teen volunteers who are 16+ will be trained on how to properly care for the animals. Kids aged 12-15 must volunteer with a parent, and will have limited contact with pets.
Of course, fostering is also a great option if your family can handle it. And if your kids want to host their own fundraiser (e.g., lemonade stands, Facebook fundraisers), that’s a great way to support this organization. >>
ROAR – Ridgefield Operation for Animal Rescue (Ridgefield) >>
Fostering a pet is a great way of volunteering for ROAR if you and your family have time to provide temporary special care for animals in need. I’ve had several friends foster through this organization and have had a great experience. >>
Ridgebury Farm & Stables (Ridgefield) >>
This non-profit organization specializes in hippotherapy and equine-assisted therapy for individuals with special needs. Development and Volunteer Manager Haley Levesque recently told me that right now the volunteer opportunities for kids under 16 include working in Farmer Phil's Barnyard and helping to care for their bunnies. In the next couple of weeks, she tells me the bunnies will be moving to their new home—"Bunnytopia”—so there will be plenty of opportunities to help.
Occasionally, she says they extend invite-only opportunities to select junior volunteers, but only if they have significant knowledge/experience with horses. If you've never been, you should check out one of their family-friendly events. My daughter and I went to their Valentine's Tea Party and had a ball! >>
Muscoot Farm (Katonah) >>
Muscoot Farm always has opportunities for families to volunteer together. Their monthly “Morning Farm Chores For Kids” events are perfect for ages 6-14, and they’ve got lots of other fun year-round opportunities—like wool cleaning and garden cleanup events. I include most of Muscoot’s family-friendly events & volunteer opportunities in The Plan calendar. >>
The Stamford Museum & Nature Center (Stamford) >>
This 118-acre museum & nature center in Stamford is a must-go for families. They’ve got a ton of volunteer opportunities for kids to lend a hand, too.
Director of Education Lisa Monachelli told me they have two animal-focused volunteer programs for 11-13-year-olds: (1) The Junior Curator program, which provides training to work on Heckscher Farm, and (2) the Junior WILD Keepers, which trains kids to work with their exotic animals. For the 14-17yo set, they’ve got the Junior Environmental Educators program, and the Green Girls program, which is an internship program for girls who wish to pursue environmental careers. Email Victoria Jaffery at vjaffery@stamfordmuseum.org for more info. >>
Here are some other great volunteer-run animal-focused organizations you might consider. Make sure you contact the volunteer coordinators directly to inquire about any family-friendly opportunities or initiatives they offer.
Access Equestrian (Mount Kisco) – A non-profit organization which provides therapeutic horseback riding and equine-assisted activities for individuals with disabilities. >>
Rising Starr Horse Rescue (Danbury) – A volunteer-based organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming neglected, abused, and unwanted horses. >>
New Canaan Mounted Troop (New Canaan) – This equestrian center offers riding lessons, horsemanship programs, and therapeutic riding services. >>
Volunteer Resources
Volunteer New York! >>
You can search for local volunteer-led events and opportunities at nonprofits in Westchester and Putnam County through this massive database. You can search by location and age-range, which is amazing. >>
And that’s it! Thanks to two local moms for their suggestions and input, and all the volunteer representatives at the organizations listed above who were so helpful in helping me put this post together.
Johna Rae Barrow is a mom of two girls and lives in North Salem. After spending 10 years as a public school music teacher, she transitioned into the world of mortgages and now helps people buy homes and investment properties in New York and Connecticut. A few years ago, she started a local moms group on WhatsApp by connecting with moms at local libraries and playgrounds in order to create more chances to connect. You can find her online at @JohnaRae or lo.gorascal.com/johna.
Lauren Chiarello Mika, a Ridgefield mom to twin boys and a two-time Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor, celebrating 15 years cancer-free. She runs partnerships at A.C.T. of CT, teaches mindful movement at Plank Ridgefield, is a clean beauty advocate, and founded Chi Chi Life—a platform that melds her passions of fitness, corporate wellness, event planning, fundraising, and cancer advocacy. Subscribe to her monthly Chi Chi Pulse newsletter to stay in the loop: @chichilifenyc.
Love this❣️
This is INCREDIBLE! What a resource! I’m going to keep referring back to this one to include more volunteering in our family rhythms. Thank you so much for putting this together, and for the idea to delve into this topic!