The latest update to The Best Places to Volunteer in NJ is written by Lindsay Podolak.
You may think of giving back to the community as a seasonal activity. Something like putting together food baskets at Thanksgiving or buying gifts for the needy during the holidays. But the truth is that there are people who need help all year long. Fortunately, the Garden State has plenty of opportunities to make a difference.
Whether you prefer to spend time volunteering or are able to make a donation, you’ve got plenty of choices. The below programs provide some options for ways to give back locally or throughout New Jersey. Take a look and grab some friends, because a few hours of your time can go a long way!
Quick Click Guide: Select an NJ Region below to find the Best Places to Volunteer in NJ near you.
| North Jersey | Central Jersey | Jersey Shore | South Jersey |
More From Best of NJ
North Jersey
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Essex, Hudson & Union Counties
Location: 500 Broad Street, Newark
Mission: To provide mentorship to children in need of a positive and helpful relationship.
How They Operate: Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteers spend a few hours per month mentoring a child or teen. As a result, children in the program spend time with someone who offers meaningful friendship and guidance. Above all, this is a chance to work with someone who truly needs a force of good in their life.
How to Sign Up: Follow the steps here.
Why I like it: You can be sure this program makes a lasting difference. All in all, 83% of former Little Brothers and Sisters surveyed are in favor of the program. They agree their Big Brother or Sister taught values that help guide them through life.
More Info: Click here to visit the website or you can click here to give them a call.
Color A Smile
Location: Mailing address is PO Box 1516, Morristown. UPS and FedEx address is 166 Ridgedale Avenue, Morristown.
Mission: To spread smiles. It’s that simple.
How They Operate: Volunteers draw pictures for senior citizens, soldiers overseas, and anyone in need of cheering up. Thousands of drawings are sent out monthly to those on Color A Smile’s mailing list; with more than 1,000,000 drawings sent out so far. This might be the simplest way to help someone in need.
How to Sign Up: You don’t have to! Just choose a drawing from the website, sign it with your name and age, and send to their PO Box.
Why I like it: This is a great way to get kids involved in volunteerism. Just have them draw a few pictures and drop in the mailbox! What could be easier?
More Info: Click here to visit the website or you can click here to give them a call.
Family Promise of Bergen County
Location: 100 Dayton Street, Ridgewood
Mission: To empower homeless working families to become self-sufficient by providing temporary housing and personalized support.
How They Operate: Since each family has different needs, Family Promise has a wide variety of volunteer positions. For instance, roles include special event help, food distribution, clerical work, and even child care assistance.
How to Sign Up: Fill out the volunteer application here.
Why I like it: Have a special skill like resume writing? Let Family Promise know and they will keep you in their database in case something comes up where your skill can be utilized down the road.
More Info: Click here to visit the website or you can click here to give them a call.
Literacy Volunteers of America
Location: 195 Gregory Avenue, Passaic
Mission: Literacy Volunteers of America provides literacy instruction for adults, enabling them to attain personal, educational, and career goals.
How They Operate: LVA recruits and trains its tutors to help adults struggling with illiteracy. Tutors teach adult students to speak, understand, write, and read English.
How to Sign Up: Download and fill out a form here.
Why I like it: LVA empowers tutors, providing workshops, support groups, social gatherings, and even a yearly award ceremony.
More Info: Click here to visit the website or you can click here to give them a call.
Pass It Along
Location: 75 State Route 15, Unit 62, Lafayette
Mission: To build confident, resilient, compassionate teenagers through self-discovery, volunteer, and leadership opportunities.
How They Operate: Pass It Along is the only organization in North Jersey that solely selects teenagers for volunteerism. Teens can opt to donate their time to local programs like Compadres, Cooking with a Mission, Tilly’s Kids, and more. During each experience, volunteers take part in workshops that foster a personal connection between them and those they help.
How to Sign Up: View the available opportunities on SignUpGenius.
Why I like it: This program benefits the teens just as much as those they serve. It’s a great way to develop a strong sense of self at a crucial age.
More Info: Click here to visit the website or you can click here to give them a call.
Central Jersey
Allies, Inc.
Location: 1262 Whitehorse-Hamilton Square Road, Building A, Suite 101, Hamilton
Mission: To work with people with special needs and their families to provide recreational activities, healthcare, and meaningful employment.
How They Operate: Allies Day Program volunteers spend time hosting activities such as arts and crafts, fitness, and music classes. Another Allies program, Spruce Ups, also needs volunteers. They plant flowers and rake leaves, and also help maintain the residential group homes. Volunteers can also organize clothing drives. Items go to Greensleeves Thrift Boutiques, which provide training and jobs for people with disabilities.
How to Sign Up: Contact Loretta Rarrick (via email) to register for a program.
Why I like it: Allies, Inc. is a supported charity at Amazon Smile; which means you can have 0.5% of your purchase price sent to Allies, Inc. every time you shop.
More Info: Click here to visit the website or you can click here to give them a call.
Bridges Outreach
Location: 120 Morris Avenue, Summit
Mission: To provide food, toiletries, and clothing to the homeless and those in need in Newark, Irvington, and NYC. Bridges also provides backpacks and school supplies to children in shelters in Summit, Newark, and Irvington.
How They Operate: Bridges volunteers go on weekly runs to Newark and Irvington. They bring food as well as other essentials to those in need. Volunteers can also host birthday parties for children in shelters or join the Bridges’ program at St. John’s; which connects the homeless with housing, medical help, and social services.
How to Sign Up: Reach out to them via email.
Why I like it: The website details their impact each year. For example, they display figures for how many pairs of socks and underwear they distribute.
More Info: Click here to visit the website or you can click here to give them a call.
CASA for Children of Middlesex County
Location: 77 Church Street, New Brunswick
Mission: Court Appointed Special Advocators stands up for children in foster care. The program ensures children’s physical and emotional needs are being met.
How They Operate: CASA matches volunteers with a child or sibling group in the foster care system. The volunteer monitors the child and advocates for them when necessary. Volunteers receive training and oversight throughout the process. Children with CASA volunteers are proven to spend nearly eight months less in foster care; as well as show educational improvement.
How to Sign Up: You can find the volunteer application here.
Why I like it: It’s great for those with a passion for helping children but are unable to adopt. You can be a voice for someone in need and help a child find a better future.
More Info: Click here to visit the website or you can click here to give them a call.
Hunterdon Healthcare
Location: Hunterdon Medical Center, 2100 Wescott Drive, Flemington
Mission: To deliver compassionate and exceptional care that improves the health of the community.
How They Operate: Want to get a taste for working in the health care field? Try out a volunteer shift with Hunterdon Healthcare. You can be a hospital greeter, assist at the information desk, or help with patient care. Junior and adult volunteers must commit to a certain number of hours per year, plus undergo an interview and training.
How to Sign Up: Call Volunteer Resources (see below).
Why I like it: Volunteers can also work in the Ernest L. Wells Pet Therapy Program; a program which uses dogs to soothe and cheer patients.
More Info: Click here to visit the website or you can click here to give them a call.
Somerset County Volunteer Services
Location: 27 Warren Street, Somerville
Mission: To recruit volunteers willing to lend their time and talents to assist various county departments and/or programs.
How They Operate: Somerset County’s Office of Volunteer Services has many ways you can help their county departments. For instance, you can rake leaves for the elderly or provide money management assistance to residents with limited financial resources. Likewise, if you’re handy with a tool, you can join the Handyman Program; these volunteers do minor household repairs for seniors and disabled citizens.
How to Sign Up: Click here to send an email and apply for a volunteer program.
Why I like it: Any age can volunteer as many or as little hours as they want.
More Info: Click here to visit the website or you can click here to give them a call.
Jersey Shore
Cape May County Park & Zoo
Location: 707 Route 9 North, Cape May Court House
Mission: To promote zookeeper education and raise public awareness about conservation projects regarding natural resources and species that need them.
How They Operate: Anyone 18 years and older can choose between two options. First, the Special Events Volunteer works for one day at a zoo event. But there’s also the Parks & Grounds Volunteer, which is a long-term position. The latter includes gardening, trail maintenance, building projects, and social group projects.
How to Sign Up: Fill out the form here.
Why I like it: Those who can’t commit long-term can still contribute by helping at a Special Event: such as the “Boo at the Zoo” or “Santa’s Workshop” holiday events.
More Info: Click here to visit the website or you can click here to give them a call.
Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey
Location: 67 Route 37 West, Riverwood Plaza 2, Suite 201, Toms River
Mission: Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey is an interfaith nonprofit agency. They provide free support services to the elderly and home-bound to allow for independent living.
How They Operate: Thinking of becoming a volunteer? Attend an info session (currently via Zoom) every Tuesday at 6:00 pm and Thursday at 10:00 am. Volunteers must then also attend an orientation and begin training for their chosen role; whether it’s visiting with seniors, shopping for them, or helping them around the house.
How to Sign Up: Fill out a volunteer form here.
Why I like it: You can make a major impact simply by grocery shopping for a senior citizen.
More Info: Click here to visit the website or you can click here to give them a call.
Community Foodbank of NJ
Location: 31 Evans Terminal, Hillside (HQ); 6735 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township (Southern Branch)
Mission: To fight hunger and poverty while creating long-term solutions.
How They Operate: Volunteers sort and pack donations of food and children’s clothes for those in need throughout NJ. In addition, Community Foodbank offers a Pediatric Mobile Pantry Program, where volunteers unload groceries and bring food to clients. Meanwhile, the food show pick-up program collects donations from vendors. They also host virtual fundraisers to collect donations.
How to Sign Up: First-time volunteers can fill out the volunteer form as either an individual or family.
Why I like it: This charity addresses the root cause of poverty. For instance, the Food Service Training Academy is a free culinary and life skills program that helps with job placement.
More Info: Click here to visit the website or call 908-355-3663 (HQ) or 609-383-8843 (southern branch).
Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County ReStore
Location: 45 South Street, Freehold
Mission: To build a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
How They Operate: Habitat for Humanity does a lot of good for the community. In addition to building homes, they provide furniture and home decor at a discount in their resale store. The ReStore shop has kept over 2 million pounds of unwanted materials from landfills since 2015. Roles to apply for include sales associates, cashiers, and social media admins. Meanwhile, Wednesday through Saturday, construction volunteers have the chance to help out.
How to Sign Up: Fill out this form.
Why I like it: Habitat for Humanity accepts tax-deductible vehicle donations. If you’re looking to unload a car, this is your chance to do so while helping those in need.
More Info: Click here to visit the website or call 732-728-0441 (office) or 732-577-8160 (ReStore).
Simon’s Soup Kitchen
Location: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Center
Mission: To provide healthy meals and companionship to anyone in need.
How They Operate: Simon’s Soup Kitchen offers meals you’d expect to get at home, in a warm and welcoming space. Thirty weeks per year, Simon’s hosts dinner on Tuesdays and Fridays for locals in need. They also feature “Breakfast with Al,” which ensures that each child goes home with breakfast for the following day. Volunteers cook meals (more than 250 per dinner), serve food, and help clean up.
How to Sign Up: Individuals can fill out this form, and organizations can register here.
Why I like it: Each guest receives a meal fit for a king; complete with placemats, fresh bread, homemade soup, salad, entree, starch, and vegetable, as well as dessert.
More Info: Click here to visit the website or you can click here to give them a call.
South Jersey
Boys & Girls Club of Vineland
Location: 560 Crystal Avenue, Vineland
Mission: The Boys & Girls Club provides every child with a safe place to go after school.
How They Operate: Under supervision, kids participate in programs for academic success, healthy lifestyles, and good character and citizenship. The club holds many events and activities throughout the year suitable for one-time or frequent volunteers. Long-term volunteers can also work with the youth at any of the three locations in Cumberland County.
How to Sign Up: Click this link to fill out the contact form.
Why I like it: You can also help by attending the club’s annual masquerade ball each October; a fun night of live entertainment, dinner, and dancing.
More Info: Click here to visit the website or click here to give them a call.
Burlington County Parks System
Location: 49 Rancocas Road, Mount Holly (HQ)
Mission: To protect and preserve the county’s natural, cultural, and historical resources.
How They Operate: The Burlington County Parks System allows residents to contribute in their community while learning and sharing skills. Some of the current volunteer roles include art gallery assistance and preparing crafts for children’s story times; in addition to helping with special events at Historic Smithville Mansion, and bird surveys for winter bird counts.
How to Sign Up: Click this link to apply.
Why I like it: They make special arrangements for groups of 20 or more for businesses and organizations.
More Info: Click here to visit the website or you can click here to give them a call.
Center for Family Services
Location: 560 Benson Street, Camden (HQ) with programs throughout southern NJ
Mission: The Center for Family Services offers many children’s programs which cater to health, happiness, and education. Volunteers do everything from cooking breakfast to tutoring and even fostering children. During the holidays, the center accepts presents for children and teens that would otherwise not receive gifts.
How to Sign Up: Click this link to apply for individual volunteer opportunities.
Why I like it: Volunteers can host a community drive for items like baby essentials, luggage, winter coats, and more. It’s a good way for youth to take initiative as well as involve their peers.
More Info: Click here to visit the website or you can click here to give them a call.
Salem County Humane Society
Location: North Game Creek Road, P.O. Box 214, Carney’s Point
Mission: This no-kill shelter provides a home for homeless dogs and cats until adoption.
How They Operate: Volunteers get to be hands-on with the animals at the Salem County Humane Society! Training prepares volunteers for daily activities like feeding and exercising the animals, cleaning living areas, vet visits, and foster care.
How to Sign Up: Call the shelter or click here to email them.
Why I like it: Can’t have a pet at home? Spend time with animals here to still get your fix and do a good deed at the same time.
More Info: Click here to visit the website or you can click here to give them a call.
South Jersey Dream Center
Location: P.O. Box 52, West Deptford
Mission: South Jersey Dream Center aims to break the cycle of poverty for low-income families. They assist with basic needs, job training, spiritual training, and self-positivity.
How They Operate: Starting at age 12, volunteer roles include office work, public relations, distribution, and delivery. However, volunteers must first complete an interview and orientation before signing up for a specific program.
How to Sign Up: Fill out an application form here.
Why I like it: You can host your own food, clothing, or diaper drive to benefit nearby families.
More Info: Click here to visit the website or you can click here to give them a call.
Hero (Top) Feature Image: © william87 / Dollar Photo Club
Other Photos (in Order):
Pass It Along / Facebook
Bridges Outreach, Inc. / Facebook
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey / Facebook
Boys & Girls Club of Vineland / Facebook
