Almost everything about the 2020-21 school year is different, and that includes earning community service hours. With library services restricted by safety concerns, we’re offering community service credit to teens who review YA books for our website.

This month, I’d also like to highlight a few volunteer opportunities from Volunteer New York! that would be great for teens. I’m focusing on opportunities that can be done virtually, contact-free, or outdoors, and ideally with minimal supplies. Follow the link to the Volunteer New York! post for each opportunity to make sure you get all the relevant information.

Thank You Cards for Deployed Troops
Make beautiful cards to be included in care packages for overseas members of the military. A classic project from pre-COVID times at the Library, this volunteer opportunity is both simple and heartwarming.

Outdoor Volunteering with the Westchester Parks Foundation
Help remove invasive plants from the Bronx River Reservation, maintain hiking trails, or clean up a local park. Volunteering in nature is a great option for COVID times, since you can be socially distant in fresh air.

Advocate for Refugees
Local organization Hearts and Hands for Refugees is looking for volunteers to write postcards raising awareness and advocating for refugees.

Support Residents of Long-term Care Facilities
Record an inspirational video to share with residents of long-term care facilities. To share, you’d post the video on social media, so make sure to get the thumbs up from your parents first.

Make Baby Blankets or Hats
The New York Milk Bank is collecting handmade blankets or hats for babies, to be included in gift baskets for new moms. You’d need to know how to knit or crochet, but this volunteer opportunity was so sweet I couldn’t resist including it.