Volunteer

We Need Your Help

There’s always something to do at CFK! Our many innovative programs, performances, events, workshops, and organizational administration depend on talented and dedicated volunteers willing to make a difference. Our office environment is fun and busy, filled with motivated people who are making change happen every day. If you're ready to pitch in, we want to meet you!

Story Love!

What is Story Love? We're glad you asked.

The Story Pirates are a group of improv actors and comedians who harness our kids' limitless imaginations and inspire them to love creative writing (click here to see a video of Jon Stewart giving them props!). Each year, we fund intensive writing workshops at all four CFK schools and end up with hundreds of original stories. Story Love is a night where we gather as a group of volunteers and write positive and encouraging comments on every kid's story. It will be a casual atmosphere and there will be some snacks as well as adult beverages.

(Please note time change) Monday, May 17th, 7:00-9:00 pm @ the Change for Kids office. 

P.S. 73 School Beautification Day

School's (almost) out for summer! And before the final bell rings, the kids of P.S. 73 need our help. Change for Kids is partnering with the Virginia Club of New York for a school clean-up on Saturday, April 17th, for the "Cavaliers Care" Day 2010. Grab a paintbrush or a hammer and enjoy the company of fellow CFK supporters, as we spruce up the gymnasium, organize the library, and improve the overall look of P.S. 73. We'll provide lunch and all the supplies you'll need for a great day.

P.S. 73 is a Title 1 school located next to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Under the leadership of principal Jean Mirvil, and in partnership with Change for Kids, the school has rapidly increased its enrollment and achievement scores over the past few years. We are excited to partner with the Virginia Club for the Cavaliers Care Day 2010!

Saturday, April 17th, 10:00 am - 2:00PS 73 - 1020 Anderson Ave, Bronx, NY4 or D trains to Yankee StadiumCall 212-213-8061 for more informationPlease RSVP: [email protected]

Literacy Tutoring

Change for Kids is searching for volunteers to help kids at a local elementary schools!

We are recruiting energetic individuals who can dedicate an hour every week to improve literacy scores at P.S. 243 in Brooklyn, P.S. 160 in Queens, P.S. 154 in Harlem, and P.S. 73 in the Bronx.

Located throughout Manhattan, The Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens, almost 90% of the students at the 4 CFK schools live below the federal poverty line and are eligible for the Title-1 Lunch Program. Their families come from diverse backgrounds and English is frequently not the primary language at home. Consequently, the students have to deal with a number of educational obstacles. While many students have made positive gains in Math over the past few years, the students continue to under-perform on literacy exams. THIS IS WHERE YOU CAN HELP!

The target children are selected based on test scores and recommendations from their homeroom teachers. Under the guidance of the staff literacy specialists, volunteers will facilitate individual and small-group reading sessions during regular school hours. Prior to working with the kids, there will be an orientation session led by the school literacy specialist where prospective volunteers will learn techniques to boost reading comprehension and increase oral reading abilities. Volunteers are expected to commit 1-2 hours per week at one CFK school and attend a mandatory orientation session (not including transportation).

Pearson ABC Book Days!

The Pearson ABC Book Program brings pre-kindergarten students and their families together to share in the joy of reading and learn first-hand about the long-term importance that active family reading can have in a child's cognitive development and personal growth. During the event, each family is invited to create their very own personalized book which, along with a classic Penguin book of their choice, they may take home to share after the event. It is an easy and fun volunteer opportunity and we need your help! 

CFK Office

In the office, we're always looking for folks to help with general office duties, mailings, partnering with other non-profits, liaising with schools, and spreading the word.

We also need volunteers to help develop our in-school programs; bringing educational performances and interactive workshops to elementary school classrooms. Currently, CFK volunteers work directly with school staff to provide essential one-on-one literacy tutoring throughout the school year. 

If you are a student or instructor in dance, fine arts, music, creative writing, or film, we'd love to hear your ideas for creative, instructional workshops and in-school performances. 

For more information or to request an application, please email Michael Quinzio: [email protected]

Did you know?

P.S. 243 received another "A" on our school progress report for our outstanding progress during the 2008-09 school year! Thank-you to all the volunteers contributed time this past year.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities, contact CFK Program Director Michael Quinzio: [email protected] or (212) 213-8061