Get Involved

Volunteer

Across the United States, more than 500,000 business leaders, community advocates, parents, teens and individuals who want to give back and support their neighbors volunteer at the Y. That’s because in 10,000 neighborhoods nationwide we have the presence and partnerships to not just promise, but deliver positive, personal and social change.

With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, Y volunteers give men, women and children of all ages and from all walks of life the resources and support they need to be healthy, confident, connected and secure.

VOLUNTEERS OF THE Y

• Lead our Boards of Directors and committees
• Raise funds to ensure the Y is accessible to all members of the community
• Coach our sports teams and teach many of our classes
• Motivate and support youth in building the character strengths, skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health, smart life choices, and the pursuit of higher education and goals
• Extend a hand to help adults who want to do more, be more or live healthier
• Advocate for the Y’s efforts to influence policies and initiatives that positively impact societal issues of importance to the nation, and your community
• Participate in opportunities to give back and support neighbors

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITES AT RIDGEWOOD YMCA

PARKINSON'S ASSISTANCE

The Ridgewood YMCA offers a movement program called Delay The Disease, designed for people living with Parkinson's disease. Volunteers are needed to provide one-to-one assistance for the participants who may need help with getting in and out of a chair or walking around the room.

Training for all volunteers will be provided before the first class. Previous experience in an exercise program is preferred but not required. Patience and compassion working with individuals dealing with this disease is essential.

The class is offered a few times each week and volunteers will be asked to commit to one class per week for an 8 or 12 week session.

Drop IN tech support

Responsibilities include:  Available Wednesday evenings from 6PM to 7:30PM, this volunteer would act as a fun and informal technology consultant for YMCA members and program participants who are having trouble maximizing the utility and enjoyment of their personal devices.  From Apple to Android to Kindle to Windows, diving deep to help folks at the Y better connect with friends and family, achieve increased productivity, or just have fun is the role of the Drop-In Tech Support volunteer.
Skills include:  Solid knowledge of the Apple, Android, Kindle and Windows platforms for mobile and tablet.  Great online solution search skills.  An ability to share information and engage members and participants of all types!

SWIM INC

SWIM, Inc, or Specialized Water Interest Movement, provides a safe and supportive environment for adults with mobility impairments to engage in aquatic exercise involving body, mind and spirit in a social gathering of caring and respect. Volunteers are needed to work in the pool with adults diagnosed with neurological impairments. Classes are held on Tuesdays from 2:30-3:30pm.

FACILITATOR 

Rainbows is a peer support for youth ages 4-14 years old that have experienced a loss due to divorce, death or abandonment of parent or significant person in their life. Volunteer facilitators are needed to work with a group of youth for the 15 weeks of the program. The program is offered September – December on Tuesdays at 6:30 - 7:30pm

How does Rainbows work? When there is a profound family loss, even the most caring parents can be immersed in their own pain. There is a real need for caring adults to be present for the children in these families. Rainbow facilitators are there to help them work through their grief, provide a safe place for them to meet new friends who have shared similar experiences and to identify and approximately express their feeling.

• Listening: Through listening to one another, children learn that other families experience change
• Sharing: Through sharing with one another, children learn that there is help and comfort available and that healing can occur.
• Helping: Through helping one another, children affirm their own abilities and goodness and enhance their own sense of self-esteem. Children come to understand that each change in life can be an opportunity for a new beginning and growth.

AQUATIC LEADERS

The Aquatic Leaders program at the Ridgewood Y is a volunteer program that helps young people ages 13-15 develop leadership and teaching skills while earning volunteer and community service hours. Participants will be in the pool assisting our Swim Instructors teach swim classes, so you must be comfortable being in the water and working with children as young as 3 years old. 

The Y is a nonprofit like no other. Take an active role in strengthening your community.

Questions? Please contact Megan Heller at email mheller@ridgewoodymca.org.

Downloads

  Code of Conduct

  Volunteer Acknowledgement Form

  Volunteer Application