Would you like to represent NAMI-NYC at tabling events throughout the five boroughs? At these events, the Community Outreach Tabling volunteer shares information and answers questions about NAMI-NYC’s free programs for individuals and family members affected by mental illness.

You must be comfortable interacting with members of the public at hospitals, churches, libraries, street festivals, and other community settings.

TIME COMMITMENT:

• Volunteers are asked to serve at least 2 tabling events per year. Tabling events typically last 4 hours but may extend to 8 hours, with shifts scheduled in two- or four-hour blocks on both weekdays and weekends. Volunteers are welcome to serve more.
• Attend a 1-hour training to learn about NAMI-NYC programs and outreach efforts via Zoom, Teams, or in-person.
• Site Setting: At times you may be asked to assist with transporting a canopy, tables, and chairs to and from the NAMI-NYC Office located at 307 W 38th St at 8th Ave in Manhattan.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• Share information and materials about NAMI-NYC program and services.
• Direct visitors to appropriate NAMI-NYC programs.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD OUTREACH VOLUNTEER:

• Empathetic: You can use care and sensitivity to best respond to people approaching the NAMI-NYC table.
• Flexible: You are ready to pitch in where needed and are comfortable in a sometimes fast-paced environment.
• Passionate: You are deeply committed to the cause of supporting those with mental illness and/or family members/caregivers of those impacted by mental illness.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be able to carry up to 15-20 lbs. for tabling and canopy setup.
• Must identify as someone with a mental health condition or as a loved one of someone.
• Must be an active listener without judgement and approach all visitors with respect.

Are you a parent, sibling, partner, spouse, or daughter or son of someone with a mental illness? Use your valuable lived experience to support another family member.

A Family Match Mentor provides one-to-one support over the phone for 3 months. You are paired with someone in the same relationship, loving someone with similar symptoms or diagnoses.

Through your good instincts and training in active listening, you’ll help other family members:

• Gain mental health support and feel less alone
• Understand resources at NAMI-NYC and beyond
• Maintain smooth, realistic relationships with their loved one
• Prioritize their self-care

You know the demands of loving someone struggling with mental health challenges, and you know the power of support.

You can provide validation and connection in the most meaningful way – because you’ve been there.

This role is for family members of someone living with a mental health condition only.

If this role sounds like a fit for you, please fill out this application here.

We are looking for people to serve as greeters to attendees.

• Arrive one hour before the start of the assigned program or event.
• Assist with room set up.
• Welcome participants!
• Provide masks if needed.
• Direct participants to our office (downstairs greeter) or to the correct program room (upstairs greeter).
• Assist participants with attendance form using QR code or tablet (upstairs greeter).

Greeters commit to staying at the office for 90 minutes at their scheduled time.

• Must be comfortable working with people.
• Must commute to the NAMI-NYC office at W. 38th St. and 8th Ave. in Manhattan.
• Must comply with NAMI-NYC’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements.

If this role sounds like a fit for you, please fill out this application here.

We are currently looking specifically for people who identify as Black to host Black Minds Matter, our support group for and led by Black people living with mental health conditions.

________

NAMI-NYC online support groups are hosted by a trained volunteer who is living with a mental health condition and/or is a family member.

Support Group Hosts provide participants with attendance and other forms, resources, and technical support, on our online support groups, via Zoom. We have support groups that meet on weekday afternoons, weekday evenings, and Saturdays.

• Hosts commit to at least one support group per month for two hours.
• Hosts must be available for one-hour debriefs. Initial training is a one-hour session, followed by shadowing at least two support group sessions.
• Excellent communication skills are required; multilingual a plus.
• Knowledge of navigating search engines, Gmail and Microsoft tools is required.
• Host volunteers must identify as someone with a mental health condition, or as a family member of someone with a mental health condition.

If this role sounds like a fit for you, please fill out this application here.