Volunteer

How Can You Help?

Volunteering has been the cornerstone of GMHC’s mission since our very beginning in 1981, when a group of volunteers saw the need to educate the public about a fast-growing epidemic and to support those affected by HIV and AIDS. Volunteers continue to be an essential part of our ability to provide life-saving services and you can be a part of the vital volunteer community at GMHC. GMHC offers both individual and group volunteer opportunities.

Individual Volunteer Opportunities

GMHC’s volunteers contribute to our mission in a variety of ways, providing compassionate, dedicated and effective responses to communities impacted by HIV and AIDS. Some of the individual volunteer opportunities that may be available are listed below:

A Buddy’s primary responsibility is to provide emotional support to a GMHC client, whether newly diagnosed or a long-term survivor. By making regular visits to the client in their home, the Buddy works as a liaison to connect the client with services at GMHC or other social service agencies, as needed. Responsibilities include assisting the client with light errands and socialization through various activities, while reporting back to the agency on a regular basis. A Buddy must be able to commit to the program for one year and be able to visit their client for 1-4 hours per week at a mutually agreed time.

Licensed and certified professionals such as massage therapists, haircutters, fitness instructors, yoga teachers, chiropractors, reflexologists and acupuncturists can volunteer with our Wellness Program to provide services that address our clients’ overall well-being.

We also have a need for volunteers who have special creative talents and the credentials to teach workshops in art, music, dance, acting and creative writing.

Our volunteers at the front desk greet all clients and guests and direct them to the appropriate programs and services. Responsibilities include answering the phone and directing calls, addressing questions, assisting with walk-ins for our Intake department, and providing a welcoming experience for all clients and guests. Bilingual in English and Spanish is a plus.

Administrative volunteers can assist departments in all areas of the agency by providing support through performing duties such as fielding phone calls, responding to department emails, word processing, filing, data entry, direct mail projects, and creating presentations and spreadsheets.

The Support Corps is a group of on-call volunteers who are ready to help out with a variety of short-term projects in all areas of the agency. Projects may include data entry, stuffing envelopes, space beautification, taking inventory, assisting with special events, and more.

Our staff and volunteers at the GMHC Testing Center provide free testing for HIV and other STIs, counseling, health information, education, risk-reduction strategies, referrals and partner notification services. Please note that all volunteer Testing Center Counselor positions are filled at this time. After attending the Volunteer Orientation, we can add you to the waiting list for this opportunity. For more information about the Testing Center, visit the webpage here.

We provide clients with a warm and friendly atmosphere where they can receive nutritious meals and have an opportunity for social interaction. Volunteers are an essential part of our dining room.

If you have a special skill that you think would be an asset to GMHC, please contact The Volunteer Center to discuss the possibility of creating a new role.

Application Process

To volunteer at GMHC, please complete the following steps:

Step 1:

Attend a zoom Volunteer Orientation. These sessions occur once per month. To be added to the next scheduled session, please email Shelley Levine at ShelleyL@gmhc.org.

Step 2:

Complete the Volunteer Application and Pledge of Confidentiality. This will be emailed to you after attending the volunteer orientation.

Step 3:

Provide Proof of COVID Vaccination, including booster shot.

Step 4:

Complete a Background Check. GMHC will only initiate a background check when you have been confirmed for a regularly occurring volunteer role. The background check will screen for sexual and violent offenses. Your consent will be required before we conduct a background check. The background check online form will require that you provide your social security number.

Group Volunteer Opportunities

For corporations and community groups that would like to volunteer with their colleagues and peers for the day, we offer a number of group opportunities including meal service, assisting with community outreach, and special projects throughout the year.

We provide clients with a warm and friendly atmosphere where they can receive nutritious meals and have an opportunity for social interaction. Volunteers are an essential part of our dining room.

GMHC has special events during the holiday season in November and December. These volunteer opportunities are a great way for your group to give back in the spirit of the season.

Special projects come up throughout the year, and we are often looking for large groups to come in and help. Whether we have a mailing to go out or a space that needs to be freshly painted, we need volunteers to get the job done! If your organization has a unique idea of how you can use your talents, please contact The Volunteer Center and let us know.

Contact

For questions about our volunteer program, please contact:

Shelley Levine, M.Ed.
Senior Director, Training & The Volunteer Center
Pronouns: she, her, hers

ShelleyL@gmhc.org
212-367-1327