Join our team of dedicated volunteers.

Do you want to become a part of a national movement of family members and mental health consumers working collectively to help people who live with mental illness and contribute to real change in the mental health system? Can you spare eight or more hours a month? If you can answer yes to these questions, please apply to join our dedicated corps of volunteers.

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 that an application be mailed to you.

2007 Volunteer Opportunities

CLERICAL / OFFICE ASSISTANT: [Please note that we are not currently taking applications for this position. Please check back later.] Volunteers assist us 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. Whether you have office experience or not, we could use your help, either on a weekly or as-needed basis.

FAMILY-TO-FAMILY COURSE: Learn to teach this 12-week course that reviews aspects of mental illness, support, coping, medication and treatment, and navigating the mental health system. (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 health recovery, and their loved ones. This "warm line" operates Monday through Thursday, 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Friday until 6:00 p.m.)

LIBRARY ASSISTANT: [Please note that we are not currently taking applications for this position. Please check back later.] Assist us with managing our collection of books, periodicals, and videotapes on mental health and mental illnesses. We need volunteers with computer and organizational skills who can work in the library on a regular basis to catalogue and organize library materials, and help develop the library's collection.

MENTAL HEALTH UPDATE: Here is your chance to help produce a television show. "Mental Health Update," 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.

SPEAKER'S BUREAU & OUTREACH: Mental health consumers and family members speak at schools, hospitals, community mental health agencies, professional programs, and other social service organizations about NAMI and mental health issues. Related activities are distributing literature at relevant meetings, conferences and community events. Asian language and Spanish speaking volunteers desired. Volunteers must be involved with NAMI NYC Metro for at least six months, demonstrate excellent communication skills, a strong grasp of NAMI's philosophy and mission, and a comfort in discussing their personal experience.

PEER-TO-PEER COURSE: Learn to teach this 9-week experiential learning program for individuals who struggle with a persistent mental illness and who are interested in wellness and recovery. (Mental health consumers only.)

SUPPORT GROUP FACILITATOR: Become a peer support group leader and provide support, education, and practical knowledge to other consumers and family members. Groups meet weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly throughout New York City.

SUPPORT PARENTS: For parents of adolescents or young adults under 25. Experienced parents provide a small amount of 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.

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 the organization's 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.

SKILLS & SPECIALIZED TRAINING
CLERICAL / OFFICE ASSISTANT: No specialized training necessary. Proficiency with standard office equipment such as: fax and copy machines, multi-line phone system and basic computer skills are preferred.

FAMILY-TO-FAMILY COURSE: Volunteers must attend the full course of 12 sessions and once screened and accepted to teach must attend the 3-day group teacher training in Albany hosted by NAMI-NYS. Commitment to teach at least two classes for NAMI-NYC Metro is required. (Family members only.)

HELPLINE: 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. Supervision by staff social worker is required. Attendance at group training sessions expected. Commitment to one three- to four-hour shift per week is required.

LIBRARY ASSISTANT: No specialized training necessary. Volunteers will be trained on-site.

MENTAL HEALTH UPDATE: Volunteers will be trained in television production.

PEER-TO-PEER COURSE: (Mental health consumers only.) Volunteers must attend the course of 9 sessions and once screened and accepted to teach must attend the 3-day group teacher training in Albany hosted by NAMI-NYS. Commitment to teach at least two classes required. (Please note, a small stipend is offered to teachers of this class.)

SPEAKER'S BUREAU & OUTREACH: Volunteers must be involved with NAMI-NYC Metro for at least six months in order to participate in this program.

SUPPORT GROUP FACILITATOR: (Family members & consumers only) provide support to other family members or consumers in a group setting. Experience in running peer groups a plus but not required. Excellent communication and leadership skills and familiarity and support of NAMI's mission are also required.

SUPPORT PARENTS: Parents of adolescents or young adults under 25 with mental illness. Volunteers participate in a three hour training in preparation for providing support to other parents.