New York Cares

New York Cares was founded by a group of friends in 1987 who wanted to take action against social issues in New York City. Today, the organization engages 36,000 volunteers in service each year, helping 335,000 New Yorkers in need. The organization is not a volunteer matching service: Its staff works with 850 community agencies (called Project Partners) to diagnose their needs for volunteers. It plans and manages 900 volunteer projects each month. Each project is led by a highly-trained and dedicated volunteer Team Leader.

New York Cares' mission is to meet pressing community needs by mobilizing caring New Yorkers in volunteer service. It is now the largest local volunteer organization in New York City. The Hands On Network (originally called 'City Cares') and 63 affiliate organizations in the United States and around the world are modeled on New York Cares' approach to volunteering.

The New York Cares Coat Drive is the largest coat drive in the US and is known for its iconic 'Shivering Statue of Liberty' logo. It has collected and distributed over 1.1 million coats to people in need since 1989.

New York Cares volunteer projects include children's literacy, education and recreation; adult education; seniors; health and wellness; revitalizing public parks and schools; preparing meals for the homebound and homeless; walking shelter dogs; distributing coats and holiday gifts to those who would otherwise go without and more. New York Cares is also a member of the Points of Light Foundation. The New York City Mayor's Volunteer Center lists New York Cares of one of its primary partners.