Join Our Team of Dedicated Volunteers
Do you want to become a part of a national movement of family members and mental health consumers who work to help people who live with mental illness, and thereby contribute to real change in the mental health system? NAMI-NYC Metro volunteer programs are reserved primarily for family members, mental health consumers, and friends. However, we do welcome applications from anyone who supports the mission and goals of NAMI.
For a volunteer application in pdf format, click here and return the completed form (with resume & cover letter if available) to:
NAMI-NYC Metro
Attention: Services Coordinator
505 Eighth Avenue, Suite 1103, New York, NY 10018
Email: volunteer@naminyc.org; Fax: 212.684.3364.
Or call the Helpline at 212.684.3264 to request an application.
Volunteer Commitment
Volunteering at NAMI-NYC Metro in most program areas requires specialized training and supervision by a staff member. Because of this, we ask for a one year commitment for most volunteer positions.
Orientation
All new volunteers are provided an orientation to our programs, office space, staff, and the specific position to which s/he has been accepted. As a volunteer you will be asked to agree to a standard Confidentiality Agreement and volunteer contract, which outlines specific NAMI-NYC Metro's policies and procedures.
Volunteer Positions
Clerical/Office Assistant
Volunteers assist with office help, including mailings, answering phones, organizing files, making phone calls, creating documents in various computer applications (Word and Excel), and many other office tasks. No specialized training necessary as this position is open to those with and without prior experience. Some proficiency with standard office equipment such as: fax and copy machines, multi-line phone system and basic computer skills are helpful. Shift durations can be scheduled for a few at a time on a weekly or on an as-needed basis.
Family to Family Course
Learn to teach this twelve-week course that reviews aspects of mental illness, support, coping, medication and treatment, and navigating the mental health system. Interested volunteers must attend the full course of twelve sessions. All volunteers will be interviewed and upon acceptance must attend the three-day group teacher training in Albany hosted by NAMI-NYS - all training and travel expenses will be paid. Commitment to teach at least two classes for NAMI-NYC Metro is required. Note: This volunteer opportunity is available to family members only.
Helpline
Provide support, information, and referrals to consumers, family members, and mental health professionals about services for those who struggle with mental illness, and their loved ones. The Helpline operates Monday through Thursday, noon to 7 pm and on Friday from noon to 6 pm under the supervision of the staff social worker. Required training involves individual orientation, review of resource materials, and gradual introduction to the skills necessary to assess callers' requests and provide quality information and referrals. Commitment to one three- to four-hour shift per week is required.
Library Assistant
Assist us with managing our collection of books, periodicals, and videotapes on mental health and mental illnesses. Volunteers should have computer and organizational skills and be available to work in the library on a regular basis to catalogue and organize library materials, and help develop the library's collection. No specialized training necessary; volunteers will be trained on-site.
Mental Health Update
Here is your chance to help produce a television show. Mental Health Update is our bi-weekly cable TV show, is entirely produced by NAMI-NYC Metro volunteers. Our producer needs help booking guests, selecting topics, and assisting in the production of the show. Volunteers will be trained in television production.
Peer to Peer Course
Learn to teach this nine-week experiential learning program for individuals who struggle with a persistent mental illness and who are interested in wellness and recovery. Interested volunteers must attend the full course of nine sessions. All volunteers will be interviewed and upon acceptance must attend the teacher training in Albany hosted by NAMI-NYS - all training and travel expenses will be paid. Commitment to teach at least two classes required. Note: This volunteer opportunity is available to mental health consumers only, also a small stipend is offered to teachers of this class.
Speaker's Bureau and Outreach
Mental health consumers and family members speak at schools, hospitals, community mental health agencies, professional programs, and other social service organizations about NAMI-NYC Metro and mental health issues. Related activities include distributing literature at relevant meetings, conferences, and community events. Volunteers must be involved with NAMI-NYC Metro for at least six months, demonstrate excellent communication skills, a strong grasp of NAMI-NYC Metro's philosophy and mission, and be comfortable discussing their personal experience. Spanish and Asian languages speakers are encouraged to apply.
Support Group Facilitator
Become a peer support group leader and provide support, education, and practical knowledge to mental health consumers or family members in a group setting. Groups meet weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly throughout New York City. Experience in running peer groups a plus, but is not required. Excellent communication and leadership skills and familiarity and support of NAMI-NYC Metro's mission are also required. Note: This volunteer opportunity is available to family members and mental health consumers only.
Support Parents
Support Parents provide one-on-one support for parents of adolescents or young adults under twenty-five years of age. Experienced parents provide telephone support to parents whose children have been recently diagnosed or who are struggling with new challenges. This commitment is approximately six hours a month and is done from home. Volunteers will participate in one single three hour training session in preparation for providing support to other parents.
In Our Own Voice (IOOV)
Develop your public speaking skills and share your personal experience of recovery from mental illness while working to decrease stigma and increase public awareness about mental illness. IOOV is a structured outreach presentation where presenters become a role model of hope and recovery for other mental health consumers in the community. The presentation puts a human face to mental illness and provides insight into the consumer experience of recovery for mental health professionals, students, family members, and other mental health consumers. There is a two-day training provided to develop your presentation - all training expenses will be paid - and a small stipend is offered to presenters for each presentation. Note: This volunteer opportunity is available to mental health consumers only.