The start of a new year brings new resolutions, and one that is perhaps the most meaningful is the promise to give time and energy to the community. Whether through daily, weekly, monthly, or one-time opportunities, any time a hand is lent, a difference is made. To help you, here are volunteer opportunities and charity events happening throughout Hudson County this January 2019 to help start the year on the right foot. For more information, join our Hoboken Girl Helps Facebook group as we share volunteer opps as they come up throughout the year {and host our own!}.
Abigail’s Well Wishes for The Water Project
11-year-old Hoboken resident Abigail Castelo is joining efforts with The Water Project to bring the basic necessity of water to those in need. Abigail urges family and new friends to consider a donation to her project to help women and girls in African countries who are currently walking miles to get water for their families. Click here to learn more about Abigail’s Well Wishes and The Water Project and to make a donation.
Liberty Humane Society Spay/Neuter Program {Jersey City}
If you are feeding stray cats—thank you for being a friendly neighbor! Continue to help the stray animal population in Jersey City with $10 for the spay/neuter program. Fixing cats through the trap-neuter-return process decreases the stray and ferel cat population humanely. Neutered cats make better neighbors—less yowling, fighting, “spraying” by tomcats and no more litters of kittens. Sign up here.
January 3rd—Rotary Club Lunch Meeting {857 Bergen Avenue, Jersey City}
Join the Rotary Club of Jersey City for its first weekly meeting of 2019. The meeting begins promptly at 12:15PM and is $20 to attend. The Rotary Club is the oldest service club in New Jersey.
January 5th—Volunteer Gardening at Liberty State Park {1 Audrey Zapp Drive, Jersey City}
Head to Liberty State Park to help beautify Jersey City. Hosted by New Jersey State Parks, Forest and Historic Sites, this event will bring the community together to make our home even more enjoyable. Be sure to dress for the weather. Individuals and volunteer groups are welcomed, with no experience required! No pre-registration needed for individuals and volunteer groups. Companies and non-profit groups, as well as those seeking to volunteer outside of Saturdays should contact Head Gardener, Maria — click here for contact information. Be sure to also inquire in advance for exact meeting location.
January 6th—Hoboken Citizen’s Climate Lobby Monthly Meeting {157 1st Street, Hoboken}
The fight against climate change may seem daunting, but everyone can do his or her part. Each month the Hoboken Citizen’s Climate Lobby commits to doing some individual monthly actions to combat climate change. The organization meets to work on these actions together to help motivate each other. The January meeting will be held at Choc O Pain at 3:00PM. To learn more, visit the Facebook Page here.
January 8th & January 9th—CASA Information Sessions {595 Newark Avenue, Jersey City & 100 Bloomfield Street, Hoboken}
The first step in becoming a CASA Volunteer is attending an information session. CASA Volunteers are ordinary people who have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of foster children. CASA is looking for people with a desire to help children with one-on-one, specialized attention. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, attend the information session starting at 6:30PM on the 8th in Jersey City and at 7:00PM on the 9th in Hoboken. For more information, visit CASA’s website here.
January 9th—Special Needs Resource Fair {669 Avenue A, Bayonne}
The Bayonne Special Education Parents Advisory Council is excited to announce the Special Needs Resource Fair. This fair will highlight the numerous resources available throughout the community for individuals with special needs such as education and career opportunities. Head to the Bayonne SEPAC site for more information.
January 9th—Party with Purpose Winter Benefit Planning Meeting {340 Sinatra Drive}
Hudson County non-profit Party with Purpose is starting to plan for its upcoming Annual Winter Benefit and is asking for your help. Join Board Members at House of Que on January 9th at 7:00PM to learn more about the organization, the benefit and which panning committees have openings. Party with Purpose will also be discussing other upcoming events including a January Happy Hour. For more information, check out the Instagram Page @partywithpurpose.
January 10th—Apple Tree House and Hudson Pride Public Scholar Project {298 Academy Street, Jersey City}
The Office of Cultural Affairs and Hudson Pride Center are excited to partner together for a public scholar event, held at the Apple Tree House. The event, Beyond Bathrooms & Binaries, will be presented by Dr. Kiki Jamieson on Thursday, January 10 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm. The event will allow for an open discussion focusing on eliminating discrimination against the transgender community through policy change. The event is free and open to the public, but RSVP is encouraged. Visit here to RSVP.
January 12th—CycleBar Hoboken 2nd Annual Cycle FTK Spin Ride for Pediatric Cancer {720 Monroe Street C301, Hoboken}
Join CycleBar Hoboken and Cycle FTK for the 2nd Annual Cycle FTK Spin Ride benefitting pediatric cancer on Saturday, January 12th at 1:00PM. Sweat for a good cause with a one-hour spin class and then cool down with Culture Republic ice cream, Loke rosè and raffles. Tickets can be purchased for either $30, $40 or $50. $30 tickets will come with one raffle ticket, $40 with three tickets and $50 with five. Raffle prizes include gift cards to Local Barre, Honor Yoga, and K-DEER as well as class passes to CycleBar. Click here to purchase tickets. Additional raffle tickets can also be purchased here.
January 14th—Hoboken Housing Authority Family & Community Dinner {400 Harrison Street Hoboken}
The second Monday of each month is Family & Community Dinner night at the Hoboken Housing Authority. Come to meet and celebrate residents of The Mile Square over a delicious meal. Head to their website to learn more about volunteer opportunities for this event as well.
January 15th—HDSID Annual Membership & Organization Meeting {280 Grove Street, Jersey City}
Downtown Historic Special Improvement District of Jersey City is hosting its annual membership and organization meeting followed directly by the regular monthly meeting. HDSID works with local businesses, property owners and neighborhood associations in conjunction with the City government to promote the area, improve the services provided and undertake any and all activity to make Historic Downtown Jersey City a better place to live, work and visit. The meeting will begin at 10:00AM.
January 19th—The 3rd Annual Women’s March on NYC {10 Columbus Circle New York City}
The Women’s March Alliance is hosting its third annual Women’s March on NYC this month in support of equal rights. Since its inception, the walk has raised funds and awareness for human equality every year. Head to Columbus Circle to join thousands of others in support of this mission. Be sure to dress for the weather and arrive early. The march is set to begin at 11:00AM and will run through 4:00PM. If you cannot make the event, please consider donating. For more information on the march, to sign up as a volunteer or to make a donation, click here.
January 19th—Hoboken Elks Lodge #74 Winter Jubilee {1005 Washington Street, Hoboken}
Join the Hoboken Elks Lodge #74 for the annual Winter Jubilee from 4:00-9:00PM on Saturday, January 19th for a night of dancing, food, tricky tray, and fun. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Tickets include Live entertainment from DJ Tasty Cakes, Bill Schultze, Davey & the Trainwreck and Wailing Denims and a full Italian buffet. Tickets may be purchased individually or in tables of 10. Tables of 10 will receive 10 free tricky tray tickets. All proceeds will benefit the Hoboken Elks Special Children’s Committee. To purchase tickets, click here.
January 26th—Snow Ball 2019 by Art House Productions {262 17th Street, Jersey City}
Art House Productions and the Board of Trustees proudly present the 13th Annual SNOW BALL gala. A Creative Black Tie event to benefit Art House Productions’ Non-Profit Performing and Visual Arts Programs. The VIP reception will begin at 6:00PM and the event will begin at 7:00PM. The night will include a full buffet, martini bar, beer and live entertainment by Cook Thugless and DJ George Soul. There will also be a silent auction and costume contest. Tickets are $150 in advance and $175 at the door. VIP tickets are $250. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
January 26th—#DanceforALS North Jersey Team {600 Bayonne Crossing Way, Bayonne}
Every 90 minutes someone is told they have ALS. A disease that eventually robs thousands worldwide of their ability to move and connect with their bodies. But there is hope. ALS isn’t incurable. Just underfunded. That’s why this New Year #DanceforALS is committing to going bigger than a resolution. We are joining forces with Zumba and Augie’s Quest to raise funds to end ALS forever. The Zumbathon will begin at 3:00PM. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Purchase tickets here.
January 26th and 31st—Good Grief Volunteer Training Sessions {395 Grand Street, Jersey City}
Grief is a natural part of life. However, for children, it can be a very isolating and confusing experience. Good Grief, a New Jersey non-profit, aides in the grieving process for children. Become apart of the community by volunteering for the next program launching on February 7th. Volunteers are asked to attend two training sessions—January 26th from 9:00AM-5:30PM and January 31st from 6:00PM-9:00PM to prepare. Visit the website for more information.
January 29th—Vision Zero Jersey City Draft Plan Review {280 Grove Street, Jersey City}
Stop by City Hall to learn more about Vision Zero Jersey City’s mission to improve traffic safety in Jersey City. The organization will be sharing information on its mission as well as its drafted plan to improve some of the area’s most dangerous traffic intersections. From 5:30PM-8:30PM an information session will be held complete with the opportunity to share feedback and activities for kids. From 6:45PM-7:30PM an Information Presentation and Q&A will take place. For more information, click here.
Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities:
St. Mathew’s Trinity Lutheran Church—Stop in to help serve lunch Monday through Thursday 8AM – 12PM.
TRUEMentors—Join Jersey Cares in Mentoring & Enrichment in Hoboken every Tuesday from 6-8pm. Volunteers are asked to spend time with, mentor and manage children ages 7-17 on a weekly basis.
Hunger Helpers in Hoboken—Join JerseyCares at the Hoboken Shelter every Thursday to serve dinner. Volunteers are asked to dress casually and come excited to serve and engage in conversation with dinner guests. All volunteers must bring one of the following items for donation: garbage bags, coffee, hot/cold cups, paper/plastic plates, toilet paper, napkins, utensils (especially forks) and/or laundry detergent. Volunteers are needed from 11AM-3PM daily.
Big Brothers Big Sisters—If you have an interest in fostering an on-going relationship with a local student, Big Brothers Big Sisters has the perfect opportunity. To start, head to their site to fill out an application before the interview process to ensure that you are a good fit. The time commitment is at least 1 year.
America Needs You—Apply to be a 2019 America Needs You (ANY) Mentor Coach today. ANY Mentors are dynamic leaders in their respective fields willing to help first-generation college students through their higher education and early careers. As a Mentor Coach, you attend Saturday Workshops and form a long-term, one-on-one mentoring relationship with a first-generation college student, while becoming part of a vibrant network of industry-diverse professionals. Click here to fill out an application.
Liberty Humane Society {235 Jersey City Boulevard}—Join the exemplary staff at Liberty Humane Society as an LHS Ambassador. Ambassadors are asked to assist in ensuring the shelter facility is organized, clean, and welcoming as this is imperative for placing animals in forever homes. Volunteers are needed morning, afternoon and evenings. Click here to start the application process.
Deliverance Children’s Ministry {3 Armstrong Avenue, Jersey City}—Deliverance Children’s Ministry is looking for volunteers in various capacities including Activities Coordinator, Social Media Coordinator, Carpenter/Painter, Maintenance/Housekeeping Assistance, Community Beautification Coordinator, and more. DCM was founded out of the desire to develop Leadership and Activism in children and youth. For more information click here.
Better Tomorrows {471 Pacific Avenue, Jersey City}—ESL tutors are needed at Better Tomorrow. Better Tomorrow is asking for mostly Spanish-Speaking individuals who are looking to improve their English skills to use published curriculum materials to match students’ reading, speaking and writing skills. Visit the website for more information and a volunteer application.
Young Cosmetologist Program {70 Pamrapo Avenue, Jersey City}—The Young Cosmetologist Program is free and open to all students who have an interest in cosmetology as a career option. Volunteers are needed on Friday evenings from 4:00PM-6:00PM to facilitate tutor sessions and help with homework.
Jewish Institute for Global Awareness {80 Grand Street, Jersey City}—The JIFGA is looking for a volunteer to enhance the organization’s visibility and its ability to get the mission out to the general public. Position involves writing, editing, marketing and public relations efforts. Material to be produced may include press releases and other marketing collateral. For more information, visit the website.
Family Promise of Hudson County {324 Communipaw Avenue, Jersey City}—Family Promise of Hudson County provides temporary homes for Hudson County families experiencing homelessness. Day volunteers are needed from 7:00AM-6:00PM and Evening Volunteers are needed from 6:00PM-6:00AM. Day tasks include assisting in the office and managing the needs of the families while evening tasks include spending time with the families, cooking or bringing dinner and even sleeping over. Background checks for volunteers are provided by Family Promise. Visit the website for more information.
Jersey City & Harsimus Cemetery—Volunteers are needed at the Jersey City & Harsimus Cemetery to assist with grounds beautification. Tasks include pulling weeds, assisting with the ANGELS Garden and caring for the goats on the grounds. Visit the site for more information.
Have a volunteer opportunity you’d like shared? Want to get involved? Email hobokengirlhelps@gmail.com. xo
