Sanctuary for Families is always in need of volunteers for ongoing and special projects. Below are just a few of the volunteer opportunities available. If you are interested in becoming a Sanctuary volunteer, please fill out the  Volunteer Application and send it to the Volunteer Program Assistant at volunteer@sffny.org.

Children's Program

Volunteers assist Sanctuary staff in providing tutoring support, assisting with arts and crafts, participating in outings or just spending time with a child in several different childcare groups which occur at various times during the week (Monday-Friday).

Please Note: Children’s Program volunteers must be available once a week and be able to make a six-month to one-year commitment.

Language Specialists

Sanctuary staff often needs volunteers to provide translation services. Such services are currently needed in Spanish, French, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Arabic, Korean, and various African dialects. These volunteer opportunities can usually be completed outside of Sanctuary’s offices and on a volunteer’s own time.

Mailings and Special Events

Volunteers assist with the planning and execution of fundraising benefits and other special events such as our Back-to-School Bash, Holiday Gift Drives, our annual Zero Tolerance Benefit. These volunteer opportunities are ideal for those who cannot make a regular commitment but would still like to be involved with Sanctuary.

Professional Services

There are many opportunities for volunteers to donate their time in their professional capacities (e.g., holding workshops or offering special resources to Sanctuary and our clients). Among the services needed are financial planning, graphic design, nutritional counseling, ESL instruction, architectural drawing and interior design, medical and dental care for clients, entertainment for client groups, etc. Please provide us with information on the particular skill or training that you would like to contribute.

Office Assistant

Virtually every Sanctuary department has the need for clerical help to assist with a variety of administrative tasks including photocopying, data entry, filing, and help with correspondence.

In-Kind Donations Assistant

Volunteers are needed to sort donations of clothing and other donated goods, to organize our clothing boutique, and to help to facilitate regular donations to the agency.