We’re Celebrating National Volunteer Week

From tackling society’s greatest challenges to building stronger communities, volunteering can transform the world. Put your faith into action by serving with Trinity. 

More than 50 years after it was established by presidential proclamation in 1974, National Volunteer Week (April 20–26) continues to encourage people to make a difference — by shining a light on the volunteers and causes that inspire us to give back. 

At Trinity Church, we believe service is an act of love. The Bible reminds us we are called to use our strength and resources to meet the needs of our neighbors: “Let us not love with words or speech but with actions” (1 John 3:18). We thank all those who have contributed their time and talent to strengthen our community.

This year, National Volunteer Week begins on Easter Sunday, April 20. To help you carry the light and hope of the season forward, we’ve compiled a list of volunteer opportunities at Trinity and throughout New York that reflect our commitment to putting God’s justice-oriented love into action. We hope these ideas — from mentoring youth to supporting AIDS Walk New York — help you find meaningful ways to serve this week and all year long. 

Volunteer with Trinity 

Support Trinity’s AIDS Walk New York Team 
Trinity is committed to supporting neighbors impacted by HIV/AIDS. Donate or join us to walk 4 miles around Central Park on Sunday, May 18. The AIDS Walk helps sustain lifesaving HIV/AIDS services provided by GMHC and other tristate organizations. Learn more.   

Join a group 
At Trinity, service and community go hand in hand. Join a community group and not only will you find your people, you’ll discover new ways to serve together. Find a group that speaks to you. 

Sign up for future opportunities 
Due to the generous response of our community, several of Trinity’s volunteer opportunities — like serving free Compassion Meals or guiding shoppers at our food pantry — are currently at capacity. Please sign up to be notified of future need! We welcome individuals, teens, families, and groups; no experience required. Whether you’re interested in volunteering solo or in a partnership between your nonprofit or corporate organization and Trinity, contact Volunteer@TrinityChurchNYC.org. 

Volunteer in Lower Manhattan 

Please note that the following are self-guided opportunities that are not coordinated through Trinity.

Welcome new neighbors 
Help provide food, cell phone charging stations, resource advocacy, and ESOL programming to welcome local migrants and asylum seekers at St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery every Wednesday, 4–7 pm. Learn more. 

Reimagine public spaces 
Gotham Park is transforming the forgotten spaces beneath the Brooklyn Bridge into vibrant public areas for connection and creativity. Help bring this vision to life through events, outreach, and community engagement. Sign up to volunteer — and join us for our Spring Community Block Party, May 3, 12–6pm! 

Volunteer with NYC-Based and Faith-Based Trinity Grantees 

Please note that the following are self-guided opportunities that are not coordinated through Trinity. 

Mentor youth in Upper Manhattan with The Brotherhood Sister Sol (BroSis). This Racial Justice grantee provides comprehensive, holistic, and long-term support services to youth ages 8 to 22. Volunteers work with youth on projects and enrichment activities. Complete the interest form. 

Create safer communities for young people in Brooklyn with the Kings Against Violence Initiative (KAVI). KAVI prevents and eliminates interpersonal violence in the lives of young people through advocacy, peer leadership, community mobilization, and social justice. This Racial Justice grantee supports families in hospitals and provides programming in schools and communities. Get involved. 

Distribute food in Chelsea with St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. With roots in the neighborhood dating back to the early 1800s, this Mission Real Estate Development grantee continues to renew our city with the good news of God’s love. Volunteers can help pack and distribute food for the pantry St. Peter’s provides for low-income families in the area. Take on a two-hour shift.

Provide nutritious meals in the Lower East Side and the Bronx with Nazareth Housing. This Housing and Homelessness grantee promotes housing stability and economic mobility by providing homelessness prevention services, emergency family shelter, supportive housing, and assistance with urgent needs. Among their many offerings are two food pantries, where volunteers can help distribute fresh produce and shelf-stable foods to hundreds of families in need. Sign up to volunteer. 

Fight injustice in rural New York with the Rural & Migrant Ministry (RMM). This Leadership Development grantee serves rural New York state by nurturing leadership, challenging injustices, and supporting disenfranchised workers, including farmworkers. RMM welcomes volunteers for a variety of services, from grant writing to gardening. Get involved.