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ABOUT THE VOLUNTEER REFERRAL CENTER
The Volunteer Referral Center (VRC) is a service organization with a dual role: serving both the needs of volunteers and not-for-profit agencies. As a matchmaker VRC matches volunteers with the non-profit agencies in NYC that need them. Last year, VRC made approximately 2500 referrals based on personal interviews to over 250 non-profit agencies in the five boroughs.
The services VRC provides are free to volunteers. Agencies pay a nominal initial registration fee to help cover administrative expenses.
We are volunteers too. Two employees and approximately 25 volunteers staff VRC. As a non-profit organization (501 c 3), our main funding comes from private donations while additional support is derived from corporations, foundations, and the registration fees paid by the non-profit agencies.
CONTACT US
By e-mail: info@volunteer-referral.org
By phone: 212-889-4805
By fax: 212-679-5316
By mail: 161 Madison Avenue, Suite 5 SW
New York, NY 10016
MISSION STATEMENT
The Volunteer Referral Center (VRC) refers volunteers to non-profit agencies that need them.
VRC is a not-for-profit organization established to function as an effective liaison in the New York community between volunteers and non-profit organizations in need of volunteer services. Such organizations include health and human services, arts and cultural institutions, and community services among others. The Volunteer Referral Center is committed to providing an effective service to refer as many volunteers as possible.
WHAT WE DO, AND HOW WE DO IT
What we do
VRC connects volunteers with the agencies that need them.
Thousands of people are anxious to donate their time and abilities but become frustrated because they don’t know where their talents are needed. At the same time, hundreds of NYC non-profit agencies are seeking competent volunteers to enable them to carry on their very important work. As a service organization, VRC has a dual role: providing the solutions for both the volunteer and the not-for-profit agencies. VRC is, in fact, a matchmaker. We assure a good agency-volunteer match by gathering pertinent information about both prospective volunteers and non-profit agencies.
VRC differs from other referral agencies in four ways. The VRC:
- Personally interviews the prospective volunteers in depth;
- Makes an appointment with the agencies at the time of the interview;
- Follows up to see if the volunteer has been placed; and
- Visits the agencies to which volunteers are referred.
Last year, VRC conducted nearly 1000 personal interviews and made approximately 2500 referrals to over 250 non-profit agencies in the five boroughs. The services we provide are free to volunteers.
VRC is a 501c3 organization. Its main funding comes from private donations while additional support is derived from corporations, foundations, and the registration fees paid by the non-profit agencies.
How we do it
Our personal approach is our strength.
Each person who expresses an interest in volunteering is given an appointment for a personal, in-depth interview with a trained volunteer interviewer. Interviews are conducted four days a week and evening sessions are held once a week.
The interview
When the volunteer arrives for an appointment, he/she completes a registration card. During the interview, the volunteer’s interests, skills, time availability and commitment are discussed. The interviewer explores those opportunities that seem appropriate for the potential volunteer.
When a suitable opportunity is decided upon, the interviewer attempts to arrange an appointment for the volunteer at the agency or agencies. If that is not possible, the volunteer is given sufficient information to make the appointment on his/her own. From that point on, the agency and volunteer work out the details of the job assignment. The interviewer does follow up with the volunteers to see if everything worked out.
Our non-profit agencies
OUR HISTORY
VRC began in 1976 as a project of the Yorkville Civic Council serving the needs for volunteers of social service agencies as well as health and cultural institutions of the Upper East Side. In the fall of 1989, based on demand for its services, VRC expanded its scope to include all of Manhattan. At this time, VRC became incorporated as a not-for-profit organization and moved to its present location on Madison Avenue at 33rd Street. In 1995, VRC again expanded its services to include the five NYC boroughs.
VRC was founded and has flourished on the belief that volunteers not only enhance the programs they assist, but also benefit from the experience in several ways. They gain a broader perspective of the needs of the City and its people, become more informed citizens and more active advocates for community betterment and often improve their skills or learn new ones.
WE ARE VOLUNTEERS
TOO
VRC relies heavily on the services of 25 volunteers, 20 of whom are interviewers. Other volunteers schedule appointments, compile statistics, raise funds, assist with benefit planning, conduct agency visits, and maintain agency relationships. Six members of the Board of Directors also volunteer at VRC.
Board of Directors
Elaine Orr, President
Alice Greif, Vice President
Doris May, Vice President
Laura Reid, Secretary
Noreene Storrie, Treasurer
Members: Arline Brown; Sherida Byron; Nancy Carr; Ronald Carr, MD; Brienne Cliadakis; Priscilla Daniels; Elizabeth Guiher; Roberta R. Hodgson; Mary Lambert; Julie J. Marks; Marjorie Martin; Kenneth Noble, MD; Christine Pascarella; Kathryn Pershan; Mary Schachne
Executive Director: Patricia Girardi
Director of Communications: Nicole M. Friedman
VRC's Newsletters
Twice a year VRC publishes a newsletter. The newsletters contain interesting articles on volunteering, our Young Professionals Committee, VRC, and so on. You can read the newsletters online (PDF) by clicking on the links below.
ANNUAL REPORT
To read our most recent annual report, please click here.
Our IRS 990 Form can be found on Guidestar (www.guidestar.org). Use the advanced search option to find us. A free registration with Guidestar is required to access the IRS 990 Form.
PRIVACY POLICY
VRC respects your privacy and your information will be uses only to assist your search for a volunteer position, or for the VRC to get in touch with you. It will never be sold or released to other organizations.
To read our Privacy Policy, please click here.
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