*Red dots indicate New York Cares’ New York Cares brings volunteer Community Partners. Indicate New York Cares’ New York power where it’s needed most. Community Partners citywide. CaresNew York AnnualCares Report We run volunteer projects at 1,200 New York 2011Annual Report Community Partner agencies Cares Annual Report citywide*—benefiting 400,000 disadvantaged New Yorkers 2011 each year. Investing in New York City’s CelebratingFuture 25 Years New York Cares 65 Broadway, 19th Fl New York, NY 10212 [email protected] www.newyorkcares.org New York Cares | Annual Report 2011 1 Dear Friends, People talk a lot about “random acts of kindness,” but there is nothing random about the countless acts of kindness that happen each and every day in homeless shelters, under- resourced public schools, soup kitchens, senior centers, and other agencies across New York City’s five boroughs, thanks to New York Cares. Throughout 2011, our army of 55,000 volunteers prepared low-income high school students to ace the SAT; practiced critical reading and math skills with homeless children; assisted adults entering the workforce with résumé development and interviewing skills; helped with the post-Hurricane Irene relief efforts – and the list goes on and on. In March, Gail B. Harris we offered a record 2,300 projects in a single month, which contributed to the year’s overall program growth of almost 10%. Board President While we are proud of our accomplishments, we recognize how much more there is to do. In 2011, our Community Partners – the 1,200 nonprofits for which we plan and manage volunteer projects – conveyed with unparalleled frequency that if not for New York Cares, New York they simply would not be able to fulfill their missions. By the same token, we would not be able to fulfill New York Cares’ mission without the Cares generous funders, incredible volunteers, committed partner agencies, and many other friends who comprise the remarkable New York Cares family. We thank you all. With your ongoing support, we will continue to meet the challenges facing our city for many years to come. With best wishes, Our Mission: New York Cares meets pressing Gary Bagley community needs Gail B. Harris, Board President Gary Bagley, Executive Director Executive Director by mobilizing caring New Yorkers in volunteer service. 2 New York Cares | Annual Report 2011 New York Cares | Annual Report 2011 3 Investing in the City’s Future In the late ‘80s, a group of friends wanted to take action against serious social issues in the city. They tried to volunteer at homeless shelters, hospitals, schools, and senior centers, but encountered many obstacles. They responded by creating a new organization dedicated specifically to volunteering: New York Cares. Our founders’ commitment to solving the problems of their day has become a trusted lifeline for nonprofits and city residents in need. New York Cares invests in the city 365 days a year, delivering resources where they’re needed most: •Human Capital: We run volunteer projects for 1,200 Community Partners, many of which lack the staff, money and know-how to use volunteers effectively, if at all. New York Cares’ team of 75 full time employees handles everything: we diagnose “New York Cares and its volunteer needs, develop programming, create curricula, order and pay for supplies, recruit the volunteers, train the project leaders, and conduct volunteers have proven that ongoing evaluations. In doing so, we allow our partners to outsource their volunteer needs to simple acts can make a New York Cares, at no cost to the agencies or their clients. profound and positive impact, and their efforts have •Return on Investment: New York Cares is a force multiplier for good. Our model is one of the most cost-effective ways to provide and maintain critical exemplified community services the city relies upon. New York Cares delivers $6 in services to the community for every activism at its very best.” $1 it receives. Volunteers are more than nice to have: they are — Michael R. Bloomberg, vital to the success of our community and the social sector. New York Cares enables all New Mayor of New York Yorkers to participate in the process. 4 New York Cares | Annual Report 2011 5 How What Our Programs New York Cares is the city’s largest volunteer organization. Every year, we offer a We Work We Do full range of volunteer programs that engage New Yorkers in meaningful service and provide critical support for nonprofits, city agencies and public schools. Making Service Easy Last year, New York Cares Our flexibly scheduled, team-based model makes it easy for volunteers to increased programs by participate in hands-on activities that make a tangible impact. almost 10% in response to the city’s growing needs. Our Building Leaders in the Community programs help struggling New York Cares’ 1,200 Team Leaders are specially trained volunteers who serve New Yorkers in two primary as group coordinators and onsite project managers. Community Partners ways: recognize our Team Leaders for their excellence, professionalism, reliability A Lifeline for Community Partners Local and National Partnerships and commitment. New York Cares uses the power of volunteerism to help our New York Cares is a leader in key city and national service Meeting Immediate Needs Community Partners achieve their missions, while accomplishing initiatives, working with: Volunteers provide warm coats Supporting Corporate Volunteerism long-term impact in the neighborhoods they serve. Our to people who are cold, com- New York Cares designs customized service projects for New York City’s leading innovative approach bridges the gap between partner needs and • NYC Service, Mayor Bloomberg’s initiative to increase panionship to seniors who are corporations. Companies, large and small, also participate in our annual citywide limited resources. volunteerism in New York City. NYC Civic Corps members lonely, hot meals to people who days of service—New York Cares Day Fall and New York Cares Day Spring. In 2011, help us expand our programs. are hungry, and care for shelter New York Cares worked with 800 companies to engage employees in 22,000 The Result: In 2011, we developed programs that helped 1,200 animals awaiting new homes. volunteer opportunities. • NYC Office of Emergency Management (OEM). New Community Partners fulfill their organizational goals, and then York Cares is designated as the lead organization for recruited, trained and managed teams of volunteers to deliver Breaking the Cycle of Poverty ensuring that volunteers are quickly and effectively those programs. Volunteers work with children to mobilized during citywide disasters. enhance their math and reading New York Cares Program Areas • Red Cross of Greater New York (ARC/GNY). New York skills, help unemployed adults Hunger, Homelessness, 400,000 New Yorkers Served Cares works with ARC/GNY to mobilize volunteers for find jobs, teach immigrants Health & Wellness 14% recovery in the event of disasters. English and much more. 55,000 Volunteers • New York State Commission on National & Community Service Children 41% 1,200 1,200 • Points of Light Institute/HandsOn Network Team Community Adult Education Leaders Partners & Job Readiness 24% 75 Staff Seniors & Adults with Special Needs 8% Animal Care Revitalization & Other 6% & Environment 7% 6 New York Cares | Annual Report 2011 7 What We Do... A Closer Look Children’s Programs One third of New York City children, ages five and younger, live in families whose total income is In 2011, below the federal poverty line. These children are at greater risk of dropping out of school, turning to drugs and crime, and continuing a life of poverty. By reaching kids early, we can help break this cycle by setting them on a different path — one focused on learning and self-sufficiency. 25,000 SAT Exam Preparation Winter Wishes for Kids and Families at-risk Through our longstanding partnership with Kaplan, Volunteers answered 34,749 gift requests from children, teens Inc., volunteers provided SAT preparation to 999 and families during the holidays. The letters showed the children low-income high school students. As a result, continued impact of the recession, with many asking for basic these students improved their test scores — often needs such as “diapers for my baby brother.” This program was participated by hundreds of points — and were accepted generously sponsored by Julie Turaj and Robert Pohly. to such prestigious universities as Cornell and in New York New York University. Academic Support Number of Teens in the Cares’ arts One-on-one attention is key to enhancing academic performance. In 2011, our volunteers devoted New York Cares Kaplan and recreation 44,000 hours to helping public school students SAT Prep Program develop a love of learning and improve their skills in projects. math, reading, writing and science. 1,000 Activities for Children with Special Needs Volunteers worked with 3,200 children and teens with disabilities in 2011. Projects included teaching 900 cooking and nutrition to autistic children, and running races, ice skating and more with children with developmental disabilities. 800 Arts and Recreation New York Cares expanded the horizons of 15,900 children living in homeless shelters, hospitals and low-income neighborhoods through art activities, sports, and cultural outings. Our volunteers inspired 700 creativity, built confidence, taught vital teamwork 2009 2010 2011 skills —and had lots of fun along the way. The SAT Program continues to build capacity, enrolling 800 students in 2009, 844 in 2010, and 999 in 2011. 8 New York Cares | Annual Report 2011 9 Adult Programs Now more than ever, our adult volunteer programs act as a safety net for struggling New Yorkers, helping them build brighter futures for themselves and their families through free tax preparation services and intensive career skills development. Tax Preparation and Financial Literacy Job Readiness Our volunteers provided free tax preparation Through one-on-one and small group career development assistance, volunteers services — delivered in partnership with ARIVA helped adults prepare to enter or re-enter the job market.