Dedicated volunteers are at the heart of The Caring Community, providing services that include grocery shopping, escort to medical appointments, and light errands. 

Our Shopping & Escorting Program is a vital service for Greenwich Village's homebound elderly, many of whom are unable to maintain food in their homes or go to important doctor's appointments without assistance.  Volunteer opportunity times are very flexible depending on the senior. There is no time commitment for volunteering, but availability on weekday mornings and afternoons is strongly preferred.

To become a volunteer: Please complete our application. Any questions about volunteer opportunities may be directed to Jonathan Maresco.

Volunteer of the Month

Dan Le has been an integral member of The Caring Community team for many years. Over the course of his dedicated volunteer service, he has done it all: delivered Meals-on-Wheels, served lunch, escorted clients to medical appointments, grocery shopped, run errands, and who knows what else. Whatever our seniors need, Dan has always been up for the task.

Dan lives on Staten Island with his family, but works part-time on the Lower East Side. “Volunteering for The Caring Community,” he says, “was the best way to be productive and enjoy my free time in New York City.” When Dan is not volunteering, he can be found visiting the community gardens, cafes, and libraries in the Village. In his free time he relishes simple activities, such as walking his dog, cooking, jogging, and watching French cinema. Dan plans to embark on a new career aiding others this fall when he will begin the paramedic program at the Borough of Manhattan Community College.

Dan’s dedication to the clients at The Caring Community drives him to ensure that every service he provides is executed with the utmost care and attention to detail. Working with homebound seniors provides a unique challenge because they sometimes have little opportunity to interact with the city outside of their homes. Dan explains, “They simply cannot have a bad experience, emotional or otherwise, when they do [go out]. That means no problems with doctors, drivers, secretaries, etc.”

Admittedly, the work can prove difficult. Dan believes that the most challenging aspect of volunteering, especially for new volunteers, is finding the appropriate balance between assertiveness and generosity. However, Dan is certain that the pay off is well worth the effort. Improved planning skills and the ability to interact successfully with different personalities in day to day life are the more tangible benefits Dan has reaped from his volunteerism. The greatest reward, he describes, is “the sense of accomplishment when the client and I part at his or her front door and I know that the outing went well.”

Please join us in congratulating Dan for his long-standing service to The Caring Community and his continued devotion to our mission!