Letters to the Editor
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‘City Lags in Volunteerism, Study Finds’
Busy adults are not the only focus of New York City’s efforts to increase volunteerism [New York, “City Lags in Volunteerism, Study Finds,” July9,2007].
As part of Mayor Bloomberg’s anti-poverty agenda, which has committed more than $150 million annually to explore innovative approaches to poverty reduction, the Department of Youth and Community Development is launching a service-learning initiative designed to introduce youth between the ages of 13 and 21 to the rewards of civic engagement.
Studies show that the combination of structured learning and challenging service experiences offers benefits that are especially significant for adolescent participants, including reduced risk for teen pregnancy, increased school engagement, and improved chances for academic success.
The program we are introducing is truly a win-win proposition: high-need communities will benefit from the hard work of committed volunteers, and young participants will develop new skills while experiencing the satisfaction of service. Best of all, New York City will gain a well-trained corps of young, enthusiastic volunteers.
JEANNE MULLGRAV
Commissioner
Department of Youth and Community Development
New York, N.Y.
New York City may not have the highest rate of volunteerism in the country, but we have certainly have some of the best volunteers and they’re making a huge difference across all five boroughs [New York, “City Lags on Volunteerism, Study Finds,”July 9,2007].
For example, Partnerships for Parks, a joint program of City Parks Foundation and the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, works with more than 55,000 volunteers each year who help to improve the city’s parks.
In order to sustain the long-term involvement of volunteers in the city, Partnership for Parks offers free training programs that help individuals and community groups learn how to work with government, create events, and raise money to support their efforts.
We also provide project management for local and citywide volunteer initiatives like the biannual It’s My Park Day, where more than 15,000 people come out to improve their neighborhood parks.
A winner of the Innovations in American Government award, Partnerships for Parks is the national model for a number of volunteer programs, including those in Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, and Philadelphia.
The quality of volunteer activities counts just as much as the quantity, and in that regard New Yorkers ought to know that our volunteers are some of the best in the nation.
DAVID RIVEL
Executive Director
City Parks Foundation
New York, N.Y.
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