Establishing a practice of service is a great way of staying connected to others and practicing mindfulness. The list of things that follows is by no means exhaustive but gives a sampling of things happening in the Village. There are many other things going on so if you have any questions or are looking for something in particular please contact
feed the hungry
The Soup Kitchen at the Catholic Center NYU
Soup Kitchen Serving and preparation Mondays during the school year 8:30 am - 1:00 pm
Just show up at 238 Thompson Street and tell someone there that you would like to get involved...what could be easier!
The Michael D. Fender Food Pantry @ the Church of the Ascension
Each Tuesday and Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m., bags of canned food are handed out to individuals outside of Ascension’s Parish Hall on West 11th Street. Bags are given on a first come first serve basis to the first 85 people who arrive. This is a very important ministry for Ascension, because it directly aids those in the most need in our neighborhood and city. In addition, it is an example of putting our faith into action. What Volunteers Do Two volunteers are needed each morning. Numbers are handed out to the first 85 people in line and the bags of food are handed out to these individuals in order of their number. Volunteers also prepare 85 new bags so that they are ready for the next food pantry day. The cans of food, which are ordered from a local grocery store on a periodic basis, are stored in the basement of the Parish Hall. The bags are packed in the basement and then brought up and stored by the front door, ready to go. Volunteering takes about an hour and you are usually needed once every six weeks. Contact: To volunteer on Tuesdays, call Matthew Snow at 212-475-6224. For general information, Contact the Church Office (212) 254-8620
tutor children in need
Tutor Kids at Ascension
For twenty years or so our church has hosted a tutoring program for 4th- through 9th-grade neighborhood children from both public and parochial schools. We meet on Mondays from 6 to 7 p.m. during the school year. Volunteer tutors continue one-to-one with the same student at each session. We assist with reading, math, or in whatever subject area a student needs help. A public school teacher runs the program. I've served as tutor and liaison with the church for the past several years. Tutors come from the parish and outside it. This year we've had an influx of students and we need tutors. NYU students would be most welcome. Is there a way we can make students you come in contact with aware of a rewarding opportunity for community service? Anyone interested can get in touch with me - John Merryman jmmerryman@earthlink.net 212 925 6808 - or with the teacher-coordinator - Pam Benning pambenning@gmail.com 212 966 4695
GO Project @ Grace Church
The GO Project is a holistic academic assistance program serving Lower Manhattan’s public school students in need of reading, writing and math remediation. GO accepts students in grades one through five based on academic and financial need, but regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, or religion. GO currently serves 160 students from 33 public schools. The GO Project helps “at risk” elementary school students to achieve grade-level performance and to improve self-esteem through two programs: GO Summer, a five-week, full-day summer school program and GO Saturday, an individualized tutoring program meeting on twenty-two Saturdays throughout the school year. Contact the Church Office (212) 254-2000
GO project @ Saint Luke in the Fields
During the school year, each Saturday numerous dedicated volunteers tutor elementary schoolchildren in various subjects. Tutors are matched with one child for the entire year and are guided by professional teachers. Contact the Church Office (212) 924-0562
serve at risk youth
Gay Lesbian Bi Transgender (GLBT) Street Youth@ Saint Luke in the Fields
For over five years, St. Luke's has sponsored dance and art workshops for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) street youth. An average of 30-40 youth gather every Saturday to participate in these workshops followed by a nutritious professionally catered dinner. Our location provides us with the opportunity to offer a safe place for GLBT youth. Contact the Church Office (212) 924-0562
The New York Foundling Hospital Project @ Saint Johns in the Village
The Foundling Hospital is an orphanage where unwanted or troubled children are placed and where children in danger reside to avoid destructive family life. St. John’s has four or five of the children in our Church School each week. Their program involves music, scripture lessons and training in liturgy and worship. Volunteers are needed to escort the children, teach classes (for which training is cheerfully provided) and help with the occasional parties and activities planned for these children. Contact Contact the Church Office (212) (212) 243-6192
Street Youth Program @ St. John’s in the Village
Each Tuesday evening, from 7:00 to 10:00, the parish sponsors a drop-in program for street youth, mostly gay and lesbian teenagers who have no place to live, have been victims of assault or drugs, or are alienated from their families. A meal is offered and sometimes a film is shown. We also offer training in the theatrical arts and music through a series of workshops offered by members of the parish and the neighborhood community. Sometimes volunteers are needed, and funding is always appreciated. Contact the Church Office (212) 243-6192
serve those with aids
Dinner for People with AIDS & Weekend Hospital Visitation and Hospitality @ Saint Luke in the Fields
St. Luke's was one of the first parishes to respond actively to the AIDS/HIV epidemic in the 1980s. For over 20 years, we have provided a three-course meal to people with AIDS (PWA). A chef and nutritionist are on-site to ensure the quality of the meals. Volunteers help serve and cook meals every Saturday. Contact Bob Rough Volunteers also visit AIDS/HIV patients at nearby St. Vincent's Hospital on Saturdays and Sundays. Contact the Church Office (212) 924-0562
Grace Church: Donations of food, clothing, books, cassettes, CD’s, videos etc for BAILEY HOUSE
Bailey House is an organization responsible for supportive housing programs for people with HIV/AIDS. They surround their clients with services that encourage good health, self-sufficiency, and an improved quality of life. Bailey House has a drop-in center at 104 E. 107th Street where clients go for case management, food pantry, career clothing, and entertainment. They have a lending library with a huge need for donated books, cassettes, CD's and videos-for both children and adults. We have an ongoing donation box for such items and collect a huge amount of materials for the folks of Bailey House.
Bailey House Dinners through Ascension
Bailey-Holt House is a residence for homeless people with AIDS, located at 180 Christopher Street. It houses 44 people. Church of the Ascension and First Presbyterian Church prepare dinner for the Bailey House residents on the fifth Sunday of the month, or about four times a year. Other churches or religious organizations prepare dinner on other Sundays. The Bailey House staff provides all other meals. This dinner provides an opportunity for the residents to receive a home-cooked meal prepared with tender loving care. Volunteers sometimes sit and talk or eat with the residents in the dining room, in addition to serving dinner. What Volunteers do: In order to prepare a home-cooked dinner to be served on Sunday evening, volunteers may do one or more of the following: • Prepare a written menu, shopping list and recipes consisting of two main dishes, a starch and vegetable for 50 people (1 person). • Shop at the A&P for the ingredients (usually on a Saturday morning) and bring the groceries to First Presbyterian's kitchen. (2 people) • Cook the main dishes, usually at First Presbyterian on Sunday, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. (4-6 persons) • Transport the food to Bailey House when the food is cooked — sometimes provided by a parishioner’s car. (2-3 persons) • Heat up/finish cooking at Bailey House, and serve dinner to residents (buffet style), 4:30 – 7:00 p.m. (3 persons) • Serve dinner only – 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. (1 additional person) • You may just bring a dessert and either deliver it to Ascension on Sunday morning, or bring it to Bailey House around 5:00 p.m. • The Bailey House staff puts leftover food away and cleans up afterwards. Bailey House provides beverages. Contact: Call Judy Cope at 201-530-0027 for more information.
The Open Door @ Saint John’s in the Village
This project is unique among the myriad of services provided in our city for people with AIDS, those diagnosed with HIV, their partners, and families and those who care for them. The Open Door is a distinctly Christian ministry offering religious resources to address issues faced by those who live with this disease. Those interested in providing support for the program may give contributions to the parish marked for The Open Door. Questions concerning the program or about participation may be directed to the program's Chaplain, the Rev'd Samuel Cross, 212 243-6192.
care for the elderly
The Caring Community through The Church of the Ascension
The Caring Community is a unique, community-based organization providing services for frail and active older adults in Greenwich Village. It was founded in 1973 by a coalition of churches and other institutions in the Village, including Ascension. What Volunteers Do The Caring Community offers a variety of opportunities for service: • Meals on Wheels: Delivers meals to homebound seniors on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to noon. • Telephone Reassurance: Call homebound clients once or twice a week to check in and see how they’re doing. You and the client determine the day and time. • Friendly visiting: Go to an older person’s home weekly and spend an hour or two in conversation and companionship. Daytimes, Sunday through Saturday. • Shopping and Escort Assistance: On weekdays, help a senior with grocery shopping, banking and errands. On weekends, help seniors who want to walk, sit in the park, or go to a street fair. • Holiday Celebrations: Decorate, entertain, serve refreshments, or just participate in parties, special events and holiday celebrations. • Personal Services: Needs include minor home repairs, assistance with paperwork, reading aloud to the visually impaired, returning library books, and much more. Contact Call Paul O’Brien at The Caring Community at 212-777-3555, or write him at paulobrien@nyc.rr.com, or call the parish office at 212-254-8620.
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