Our Sites
- Bellevue/NYU Survivors of Torture Program
- Bellevue Project HEALTH
- Lutheran Medical Center
- The Door
- NYC Free Clinic
- NYU Medical Center
- One-Day Activities
Bellevue/NYU Survivors of Torture Program
Description
The Survivors of Torture Program is a comprehensive treatment program for survivors of torture and refugee trauma in the New York metropolitan area. The program provides multidisciplinary care to survivors of torture and other human rights abuses, traumatized refugees, and to their families. They offer an integrated treatment approach, addressing the medical rehabilitative needs of the trauma survivors, as well as the mental health and social service needs of the survivor and their family.
Volunteer Qualifications
A good command of English (both spoken and written) and a good command of one or more of the following languages: Albanian, Bambara, French, Haitian Creole, Russian, and Tibetan.
Getting There
The program is located at Bellevue Hospital Center on 1st Avenue and 27th Street. To get there by subway take the 6 train uptown and walk over to 1st Avenue, or take the L train to 1st Avenue and catch the bus (or walk) from 14th Street.
What Volunteers Should Know
Those interested in volunteering at The Survivors of Torture Program must submit a resumé with two short references to Divya Sheth and must be available for a short interview with the director of volunteer services at the program. After the interview, potential volunteers must attend an orientation session as well as submit immunization records in order to be cleared for volunteering.
Volunteers perform all different types of interpretation including telephoning patients, setting up appointments, and conversations in therapy. Volunteers are required to be available four hours per week. Volunteers will be called in as necessary so the "availability" of the volunteer does not necessarily mean that he or she will work that many hours each week.
Bellevue Project HEALTH
Description
Project HEALTH is a new site added this year. It is located at Bellevue Hospital in the Pediatric Out-patient Department. Volunteers will assist caseworkers from the Family Help Desk that help to connect families with public benefits, housing and other resources. They also work with adolescent mothers in the Mommy’s First Steps program to provide them with resources for their babies such as housing, clothes, food, education, etc. Asian languages.
Volunteer Qualifications
Project HEALTH is primarily looking for Spanish, Chinese and Bengali speakers. However, other languages may be needed depending on the patient population. It is vital that volunteers are aware of the patient confidentiality involved in work of this nature. WBB highly recommends that volunteers attend the WBB orientation held in the beginning of the semester.
Getting There
Bellevue Hospital is located on 1st Avenue and 27th Street. To get there by subway, take the 6 train uptown and walk over to 1st Avenue, or take the L train to 1st Avenue and catch the bus (or walk) from 14th Street.
What Volunteers Should Know
Volunteers can work at the hospital on a weekly basis or they can be put on call at the NYU campus, helping the case workers do follow-up consultations with the patients. We will notify volunteers of these on-call situations through emails. They will likely happen once or twice a week, depending on the language necessity. For more information please contact Mona Patel
Lutheran Medical Center
Description
Lutheran Medical Center is the principal provider of community-focused healthcare for southwest Brooklyn as well as a major teaching affiliate of SUNY Downstate Medical Center. Their comprehensive approach to acute, primary and long-term care has resulted in a growing nationally recognized healthcare institution marked by world-class professionals and a state-of-the-art medical center committed to a growing and diverse community. Lutheran offers a wide range of community-based programs including literacy, vocational and reading programs, intervention programs, daycare services, and a variety of senior services. Lutheran is proud to be the catalyst for the revitalization of one of New York's most vibrant and diverse communities and the advocate for the health and well-being of an entire urban area. You can check out their website.
Volunteer Qualifications
A good command of English (both spoken and written) and a good command of one or more of the following languages: Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish. Volunteers who speak languages other than those listed are welcome to volunteer. However, these individuals may not be asked to interpret as frequently as those who do speak the above languages.
View descriptions of opportunities for WBB Volunteers at Lutheran.
Getting There
Lutheran Medical Center is located in southwest Brooklyn and is easily accessible by subway or bus. To get there by subway, take the R train to 53rd Street or the N train to 59th Street. The main entrance of the hospital is located on 55th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues. To get there by bus take the B11 or B37.
What Volunteers Should Know
Those interested in volunteering at Lutheran Medical Center should contact Jennifer Ching(see: Committee Board) to express interest in signing up. Volunteers must attend an orientation session during which they will have a five-minute interview with the Director of Volunteer Services and fill out a volunteer application. Additionally, potential volunteers should bring two letters of reference to their particular orientation session. However, letters of recommendation are often difficult to obtain on short notice, and thus it is acceptable to bring two reference phone numbers (i.e. one personal reference and one academic/professional reference) which may substitute for letters of reference. Lastly, potential volunteers must go through a health clearance which Lutheran Medical Center will do for free through their faculty health center.
Each volunteer is required to be available four hours per week. If desired, the time may be split into two 2-hour shifts during the week.
The Door
Description
The Door is New York City's premier youth development agency, offering unique and highly effective programs for young people ages 12 to 21. The Door's mission is to empower young people to reach their potential by providing comprehensive youth development services in a diverse and caring environment. The only criterion for Door membership is age (12-21). Of the 7,000 current members, the majority are between 16 and 19 years of age, with the average being 18. Most are African-American or Hispanic; a growing number are immigrants from China.
Volunteer Opportunities at The Door
- General Academics Assist individuals or small groups to build knowledge and skills in the following areas: exam prep including SAT, Regents and GED exams, basic reading, writing and math. Provide homework help and study skills.
- Learning Strategies for Students with Unique Learning Needs Work closely with staff to provide effective instructional strategies to help learners significantly below grade level.
- College With assistance from volunteers, college advisors provide admissions, scholarship and financial aid information to first-generation high school students. Share your own college experiences!
- English as a Second Language (ESL) Provide tutoring for non-native English-speakers. You don’t need to know a second language to be successful.
- Arts Assist teaching artists or create your own arts project.
- Recreation Dynamic and personable volunteers are needed to interact with youth during structured recreation, Youth Leadership, Female/Male Empowerment, and LGBTQ Groups.
- Mentoring Develop a one-to-one relationship with a mentee through specialized program experiences in academics, arts, leadership/service, or the BookHouse.
You can check out their website for more information.
Volunteer Qualifications
Volunteers should possess a good command of English and another language. Because the goal is to assimilate English as Second Language/ESL students into mainstream education system, volunteers of all levels of proficiency are needed.
The Door has a broad range of volunteer opportunities during daytime and evening hours, Monday through Saturday. Volunteers should be able to commit to 2 hours weekly for at least one semester. Specific hours will be scheduled with the director of volunteer placement.
Travelling to The Door
WALKING FROM BOBST LIBRARY
Walk on Washington Square South, away from Main Building, past the newly built student center. At the corner of West 4th and Ave of the Americas/6th Ave. Turn left on to Ave of Americas/6th Ave. Walk south to Broome Street (passing by such landmarks as the West 4th St. basketball court and Houston St). At the corner of Avenue of the Americas/6th Ave and Broome St. make a right on to Broome. Look for the banner and entrance at 555 Broome St. No more than 15 minutes away! Volunteers will need to sign in at the front desk.
BY SUBWAY (A/C/E)
Take the C/E train to Spring St. Exit in the direction of Spring St. Look for Ave of the Americas (6th Ave) and walk downtown 2 blocks.
(YOUR LANDMARK: Chelsea Vocational High School will be on your right.) Make a right on to Broome St. The entrance to The Door is at 555 Broome St. Volunteers will need to sign in at the front desk.
-- OR --
Take the A/C/E to Canal St. Exit in the direction of Canal St./Ave of Americas. Look for Avenue of the Americas (6th Ave) and walk uptown 2 blocks.
(YOUR LANDMARK: Moondance Diner will be on your right.) Make a left on to Broome St. The entrance to The Door is at 555 Broome St. Volunteers will need to sign in at the front desk.
-- OR --
Take the 1/9 train to Canal St. When you exit, you will be on the corner of Canal and Varick Sts. Do not cross Canal St. Walk uptown on Varick St. three blocks to Broome St.
(YOUR LANDMARK: The entrance to the Holland Tunnel will be on your left.) Make a right onto Broome St. The entrance to The Door is at 555 Broome St. Volunteers will need to sign in at the front desk.
What Volunteers Should Know
Three steps to begin volunteering at The Door:
- Select a program/position that matches your interests and needs.
See Volunteer Opportunities at The Door - Attend one orientation (usually offered early in the semester). The orientation will introduce you to The Door's missions, staff members, and programs. If you could not attend the orientation, you should fill out an application and fax it to Academic Supervisor Gregory Morris at 212-941-9620. You can also leave it in the Words Beyond Borders mailbox in the Kimmel Center, 7th floor.
- Receive assignment of a program supervisor and specific training. Once you have a placement, you will be able to talk to your supervisor about any logistical issues. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Ian Ang
New York City Free Clinic
Description
NYC Free Clinic is run by medical students from the NYU School of Medicine. The program is designed to serve the needs of the uninsured and homeless. Driven by the belief that high-quality healthcare is the right of all individuals, NYCFC provides their services at no cost to their patients.
Getting There
NYC Free Clinic is located at 16 E. 16th Street between 5th Avenue and Union Square West. To get there by subway, take the N, R, W, Q, 4, 5, 6, or L to Union Square and walk over.
What Volunteers Should Know
Volunteers at NYCFC will mostly be needed on Saturday mornings and will operate on an on-call basis. If interested, please contact Mahima at mahima@nyu.edu.
NYU Medical Center
Description
NYU Medical Center on 34th Street and 1st Ave. is looking for interpreters, particularly for Chinese, Spanish, and Russian, although they get patients from all over the world that speak many other languages. We are still in the process of working out details with NYU Medical Center volunteers may either be expected to volunteer for a couple of hours a week or be on-call. We'll send out an e-mail through the listserv once we establish more details. And check this site for updates! If you are interested in working at NYU Medical Center, please contact Brian Ahuja.
One Day Activities
Words Without Borders offers a variety of 1-day volunteer activities for those students unable to commit to a weekly volunteer position but still dedicated to helping the New York City community. These opportunities are advertised on our website and through our listserve. Past events include:
Asian American Health Conference at NYU School of Medicine
A 2-day health conference during which WWB volunteers helped with set-up and registration, and acted as time-keepers and note-takers for lectures and roundtable discussions.
Tuberculosis Health Screening in Corona, Queens
Collaborating with the Center for Immigrant Health at NYU School of Medicine, Spanish-speaking volunteers registered incoming patients for tuberculosis screenings by interpreting medical intake forms from English to Spanish.