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Volunteer or donate

VA New York Harbor Healthcare System depends on the goodwill of our supporters. You can make a difference when you help us serve our Veterans. Formerly known as VA Voluntary Service, the Center for Development and Civic Engagement’s mission is to strategically integrate volunteers, donations and community partners into Department of Veterans Affairs for the purpose of supplementing staff and increasing care and services for Veterans.

Become a volunteer

Join our volunteer team and experience the rewards of helping our nation’s Veterans. We’ll match your talents with one of our many volunteer opportunities. To become a volunteer, call or visit our Voluntary Service Offices:

VA New York Harbor Healthcare System
Voluntary Service Office, Brooklyn Campus
800 Poly Place
Brooklyn, NY 11209-7104
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Voluntary Service Office, Manhattan Campus
423 East 23rd Street
New York, NY 10010-5011
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Voluntary Service Office, St. Albans Campus
179-00 Linden Boulevard
Queens, NY 11424-1468
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Volunteer Benefits

As a VA volunteer, you’ll support Veterans in your area, meet interesting people, and gain valuable experience in a health care setting. You’ll also enjoy benefits like: 

  • Free annual flu shot and tuberculosis test
  • Educational opportunities, like CPR training
  • Free parking, and canteen meals during shifts of 4 hours or more
  • Job search opportunities
  • Job skills development

Volunteer Opportunities

We are currently seeking regularly scheduled volunteers.

  • Escort - Bring patients to medical clinics, chapel, recreation, and programs.
  • Food and nutrition - Help patients select menu items, open containers, cut food into bite-size portions, and eat during mealtimes.
  • Cookie bakers- Bake cookies on the neighborhoods of the Community Living Center (CLC)
  • Front desk - Greet outpatients, guests, visitors, and patients' families, answer phones, and transfer calls at the information desk.
  • Recreation - Help with activities like arts and crafts projects, bedside games, field trips, and bedside movies.
  • Office assistance - Type, file, answer phones, keep records, enter data, and call patients to remind them about appointments.
  • No Veteran Dies Alone - Provide companionship to Veterans who are at the final stages of their lives. Additional training is provided.

Other assignments not listed here may also be available.  If you’re interested in volunteering, or if you have special skills to offer, please contact us so we can discuss how you can best help our Veterans. 

While some volunteer assignments must be performed at specific times, most are flexible and can fit your schedule. We also have special short-term projects. 

Make a donation

Donations from people like you help us provide more services to our Veterans. We accept cash donations as well as physical items our Veterans need. You can donate online, by mail, or in person. All donations are tax-deductible. Please contact your local Voluntary Service Office to arrange to drop off any large items.

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