April 28, 2016
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NEW YORK—Marking the end of National Volunteer Month, the de Blasio administration released 2015 NYC Volunteers Count, the City’s second annual inventory of the outstanding contributions made by volunteers. The administration also celebrated the City’s top volunteers and announced a new partnership with the Taproot Foundation to increase volunteer opportunities accessible to New Yorkers on nyc.gov/service.
“I thank all the volunteers who reach out to their communities in an effort to uplift them," said Mayor de Blasio. “While National Volunteer Month is coming to an end, I still urge New Yorkers to visit nyc.gov/service and learn how they can continue lending their time throughout the year to help mold stronger, more inclusive communities across the five boroughs."
“Volunteerism is a catalyst for civic engagement, better connecting us to our communities and neighbors,” said Deputy Mayor Richard Buery. “New Yorkers who volunteer their time help address some of our City’s greatest challenges, and I am inspired by their passion and grateful for their commitment to service.”
“NYC Service’s vision is to inspire and empower all New Yorkers to volunteer and serve NYC and each other,” said NYC Chief Service Officer Paula Gavin. “Volunteers help us build a stronger City by strengthening our communities, and we recognize them every day for their generosity and inspiration. We also thank the Taproot Foundation for their partnership, as we work to continue expanding volunteer opportunities available to New Yorkers on nyc.gov/service.”
2015 NYC Volunteers Count highlights the more than 440,000 people who volunteered their time last year to help strengthen our communities and the over 150 diverse nonprofits and City agencies that empowered them to do so. It also recognizes more than 460,000 New York City public school students who engaged in community service and service-learning during the 2014-2015 school year.
“Our volunteers share our vision of creating a more inclusive City, one that honors all of the voices of its residents,” said Aaron Zimmerman, Founder and Executive Director of the New York Writers Coalition Inc.
The City also recognized and celebrated nearly 1,400 New Yorkers for their commitment to service through the NYC Mayoral Service Recognition Program. New Yorkers were nominated by over 60 nonprofit organizations and City agencies for volunteering 100 hours or more in 2015. 20 businesses were also recognized for engaging 20 percent of their NYC-based employees in service in 2015.
"For nearly two years now, I have been able to serve as the liaison between patients who are seeking medical care and dedicated physicians who are eager to provide such care,” said Thomas Lai, Volunteer at Maimonides Medical Center. “I truly believe that volunteerism is contagious, and I am so happy to have caught it and spread it as well."
“Goldman Sachs is proud to be among the organizations recognized for their service and commitment to New York City,” said Lisa Hancock, Vice President at Goldman Sachs. “Giving back is core to the firm’s culture and our employees are committed to contributing their skills and ideas to make an impact in their communities, including here in New York City where we partnered with over 100 organizations on a range of projects last year.”
In an effort to continue expanding the number of volunteer opportunities available to New Yorkers on nyc.gov/service, the City also announced a new partnership with the Taproot Foundation. New York City is the first City of Service in the nation to integrate our system with the Taproot Foundation’s pro bono marketplace, Taproot+, which connects nonprofits with skilled volunteers for 4-6 week projects. Every Taproot+ volunteer opportunity in New York City is now available on nyc.gov/service and New Yorkers can use their business skills in areas like marketing, IT, design, HR or business strategy to serve New York City nonprofits.
“This partnership supports the thousands of incredibly talented and generous New Yorkers who want to use their professional skills for good,” said Liz Hamburg, President and CEO at the Taproot Foundation, “Over the years Taproot has served well over 800 social change organizations in New York City alone. We’re thrilled to integrate Taproot+ with nyc.gov/service to make it really easy for these busy New Yorkers to quickly connect with nonprofits, giving nonprofits the expertise they need for everything from an HR performance management analysis to a content management system to a social media plan.”
"Our city's volunteers lift up our communities and I'm so grateful for their hard work," said Council Member Mathieu Eugene, Chair of the Committee on Youth Services. "Volunteers of all ages can make a positive impact, and it's incredible to know that more than 460,000 students made a difference in their neighborhoods last year."
"Our city has been successful in fostering the spirit of volunteerism in even the youngest New Yorkers," said Council Member Daniel Dromm, Chair of the Committee on Education. "I applaud the 460,000 NYC public school students who volunteered to serve their community during the 2014-2015 school year. It is encouraging to see so many young people take advantage of this opportunity to improve their schools and their neighborhoods."
About NYC Service
NYC Service, a division of the Office of the Mayor, promotes volunteerism, engages New Yorkers in service and mobilizes the power of volunteers and service year members to impact New York City's greatest needs. To learn more about NYC Service and connect to volunteer opportunities across New York City, visit nyc.gov/service.
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