Individual Care

Social Enrichment: Volunteer and Networking Opportunities

Visit VetConnectNYC.org

Transitioning veterans and veterans experiencing mental health challenges are encouraged to combat isolation by engaging in social enrichment programs with peers and civilians. The NYC Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) connects veterans to programs and resources that promote social enrichment, including volunteer opportunities, civic engagement, professional networking, and peer support resources.

Connect to social enrichment services by filling out the VetConnectNYC form and selecting “Social Enrichment” as your preferred service:


Connect to Social Enrichment Services


See below for a list of social enrichment opportunities available throughout the City:

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Volunteer with DVS

Volunteer with Veterans in Your Community

Mission Continues mobilizes veterans to serve their community through volunteer projects across NYC.

Volunteer in the COVID-19 Relief Efforts

  • For ways to volunteer in NYC's relief efforts visit the Help Now NYC page.
  • Volunteer with Invisible Hands to deliver groceries to New Yorkers who are unable to leave their homes due to a disability or an increased vulnerability to COVID-19. You can only perform deliveries if you are feeling healthy, are displaying no symptoms, have not traveled out of the country or come in contact with a sick person in the past 14 days, and have been practicing social distancing.

Volunteer to Support Seniors

Help NYC's most vulnerable population from experiencing social isolation. Volunteer with the New York City Department for the Aging to make phone calls to older adults.

All volunteers must:

  • Be age 21 or older
  • Pass a background check (a Social Security number is required)
  • Be patient with and kind to older adults
  • Maintain the confidentiality of people served

To learn more call 212-AGING-NYC (212-244-6469) or visit the New York City Department for the Aging volunteer page.

Donate Blood

COVID-19 has caused a dramatic reduction in the U.S. blood supply, putting Americans in need of blood transfusions at serious risk. Make an appointment to donate blood with the New York Blood Center.

Virtual Volunteer Opportunities

  • New York Cares offers virtual and on-the-ground volunteer projects to deliver meals to vulnerable communities, support seniors and children, and restore neighborhoods.
  • Hope for New York offers several virtual volunteer opportunities to serve children, the chronically ill, the elderly, new immigrants, people with disabilities, and the homeless. Examples of volunteer opportunities include:
    • mentoring children online
    • sending cards and letters to nursing home residents
    • teaching ESL classes online
    • facilitating virtual career-readiness events for formerly incarcerated individuals
  • Mission: VetCheck is an initiative that allows volunteers to make supportive check-in calls to New York City veterans. Volunteers provide their peers with vital information on essential public services, COVID-19 resources and testing locations, and online mental health support. Learn how to become a Mission: VetCheck volunteer through New York Cares.
  • Veteran Voices Project (VVP) is an oral history project designed to preserve the story of NYC's veteran community. Veterans can volunteer to contribute their story to the VVP library or volunteer as an interviewer. Learn more about VVP.

See all of Hope for New York's virtual volunteer opportunities