One of the most rewarding things you can do for your community is to volunteer to make it a better place. Astoria is a wonderful community, and it is fortunate to have so many people in the neighborhood willing and able to help with projects large and small. Many organizations simply could not exist without the help of volunteers.
The organizations
The Astoria Park Alliance (APA) is entirely run by volunteers, although it began life with the help of the paid staff of Partnerships for Parks. APA meets regularly throughout the year, organizes shoreline and park cleanups, and is the driving force behind the Astoria Park Shore Fest, which occurs every August. Volunteers are an essential element in the production of this event.
If you are interested in volunteering with the Astoria Park Alliance, please reach out to them through their Facebook page.
Closely related to the work of the Astoria Park Alliance is Green Shores , another entirely volunteer-run organization. Green Shores is dedicated to the health of the waterfront parks in Astoria and Long Island City. Their mission is to bring together community forces – individuals, local businesses and established community organizations – to improve and promote the parks and the West Queens coastline. They meet regularly, were the people behind the Waterfront Vision Plan, and produce a number of events throughout the year.
Heavenly Angels Animal Rescue (14-42 27th Ave, Astoria, 347-722-5939) is an Astoria animal shelter that strives to place dogs and cats in loving homes forever. However, while the animals are there, they need exercise and socialization. The organization always needs volunteers. Can you walk a dog or hang out with a kitten? If so, your help is welcome.
Heavenly Animals also holds adoption events, which need volunteer staff. If you are interested in volunteering at Heavenly Angels Animal Rescue, please reach out to them through their Facebook page.
The Greater Astoria Historical Society (GAHS) (35-20 Broadway, 4th Floor, Astoria, 718-278-0700) is an excellent resource for all Astorians (and beyond). It is the most important authoritarian organization when it comes to the history of Astoria and Long Island City. And the group needs volunteers to help continue its mission. Most importantly, GAHS needs people to help write grants (to keep it running) and maintain its website (training is provided).
If you are interested in volunteering with the Greater Astoria Historical Society, please contact the group through their website.
One of Astoria’s great institutions is the Museum of the Moving Image (36-01 35th Avenue, Astoria, 718-784-0077), which is dedicated to educating the public about the history, technical elements, and art behind the film, television and digital media. Volunteers are an integral part of keeping MOMI’s work alive. There are numerous volunteer opportunities there as well, from lobby greetings to reception duties and behind-the-scenes administrative assistance.
What is asked of the volunteers is a commitment of a minimum of eight hours per month (hence two 4-hour shifts) for a period of six months. A complimentary one-year membership, museum store discounts, and invitations to volunteer-only events are part of the (nice) deal. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the Museum of the Moving Image through their website.
Build it Green (3-17 26th Ave, 718-777-0132) serves an important purpose in Astoria. Every year this non-profit organization keeps tons of building materials out of our landfills and resells them at reasonable prices. It’s amazing what you can find there: cabinets, shelves, dressers, chairs, mirrors, doors, and more. And they all have attached possibilities.
From time to time, Build it Green has volunteer days. Volunteers spend the day at Build It Green painting, measuring and labeling the inventory, and even sorting the myriad of used books on the site. If you are interested in your volunteer days, please contact Build it Green through their website.
The Ali Forney Center (212-222-3427) serves an important purpose of a totally different nature than Build It Green. It is a shelter for homeless LGBT youth. The organizers provide shelter and food for children who are really at risk. Donations, of course, are welcome and help keep the organization running, but the shelter also needs volunteers to continue its mission.
Volunteers are especially needed to help feed the children. Preparing meals for breakfast and lunch at the Astoria location is always welcome. Additionally, volunteers are also needed who can facilitate workshops, be it life skills training, education, arts or other recreational activities.
If you are interested in volunteering at the Ali Forney Center, please contact the center through their website.
New York Cares (212-228-5000), New York City’s premier volunteer organization, offers opportunities in all five boroughs, including Astoria (and Long Island City). Take a look at their search page and run a query for Astoria, Astoria Heights, or Astoria Park. You will generally find more opportunities with the Astoria consultation, but all three possibilities (four, if you include Long Island City) are worth checking out.
Twice a year, New York Cares hosts a big city-wide event, one in the fall and one in the spring. According to its website, New York Cares “engages 13,000 volunteers during two great days of service: New York Cares Day each October, which benefits public schools, and Hands On New York Day each April, which benefits parks and gardens. community. These days are also major fundraisers for New York Cares.
New volunteers must first attend a short orientation session. If you are interested in volunteering at NY Cares, please contact the group through their website.
