Leading With Kindness

As a middle school educator, Karen Feldman from J.H.S. 167 Robert F. Wagner, wondered how she could improve student behavior at her school. This led her to create a program called “Leading with Kindness,” designed to create inclusion, empathy, and understanding while empowering students to give back to their community. In partnership with Bear Givers Inc., Ms. Feldman developed a curriculum where students learn about a vulnerable population to customize and donate kindness bears to those in need. Since the program began, they have donated over 700 bears to the following organizations: Candlelighters N.Y.C., P94M@340, PS340, and Holocaust Survivors through MEforWE.

Seal of Recognition for Service

The NYC Department of Education offers a locally-approved diploma seal of recognition for youth service. The Seal of Recognition for Service, or Service Seal, recognizes high school students who accumulate a minimum of 100 hours of service over their high school years. Service hours may include community service completed independently or as part of service-learning and/or a school-led service program. For further guidance on the Service Seal, teachers and school-based staff can refer to the Seal of Recognition for Service guidance document behind login on the InfoHub. We hope all high schools will support students in pursuing and achieving the Service Seal. For questions, email ServiceinSchools@schools.nyc.gov.

Eliminating Hunger in NYC #SpreadLove



As the holiday season looms upon us, New Yorkers grow hungry. This is the perfect time to volunteer at a local food pantry or soup kitchen. Listed below are a few different ways you can volunteer this upcoming holiday season. Volunteer to eliminate hunger in your community with a local organization.

Thanksgiving Meal Prep

Commonpoint Queens is looking for volunteers to help prepare side dishes for families in need for Thanksgiving. Volunteers will wash, chop, prep food items, package and label the ingredients according to a recipe, and clean workstations and utensils used to prepare the food items. Sign up to volunteer.

Produce Party

Every Saturday is a produce party! Music plays and the vibe is rich as our volunteers prepare the weekly harvest. Grassroots Grocery rescues approximately 10,000 pounds of fresh produce which is inspected and packaged to be delivered to Queens community sites through volunteer drivers. Visit Grassroots Grocery to sign-up.

Funk Flex Feeds the Block

Grassroots Grocery distributed over 15,000 pounds of fresh produce in the Bronx on a single Tuesday in September! This huge success would not have been possible without the volunteerism and collaboration of everyone in the neighborhood. Cheers to helping one another out! Learn more about Grassroots Grocery and sign up to volunteer your talent.

Vision Urbana

Help unload trucks, bag and deliver produce, and break down boxes. This food will feed many households in the Lower East Side. Vision Urbana wants to end poverty and hunger by giving back to the community. You can be a part of this by volunteering!

Part of the Solution

Part of the Solution is eliminating hunger in the Bronx, one nutritious meal at a time. Help keep the people of the Bronx healthy and fed this upcoming holiday season. Register to volunteer at their pantry and community dining hall!

Educator Open House

Join Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy education staff for an invite-only Educator Open House this Thursday, November 2 from 4:00-6:00pm. Enjoy complimentary refreshments with colleagues as you explore the space, visit their animal friends, and learn about environmental education school programs at Brooklyn Bridge Park. While you’re there, share your thoughts on the impact of informal environmental education spaces, the opportunities they offer, and what you’d like to see more of in the future. Reserve your spot!

Spanish Language IDNYC Translators

The Queens Public Library is looking for Spanish language IDNYC translators. Volunteers with fluent or near fluent Spanish skills who can provide assistance to non-English speaking individuals as they complete the IDNYC application should express interest. Volunteers will help translate questions and answers.

Schools Can Apply by Monday, November 13 for the Annual Sustainability Project Grant 

The 8th annual Sustainability Project Grant application is now open. Apply for a grant to support a sustainability project in your school. Request up to $5,000 in funding for:

• Gardens and Outdoor Learning
• Sustainability/Climate Education
• Climate Action and Advocacy
• Materials and equipment, including:
• Grow Tower + Training
• Water Refill Station

Energy Efficiency: Unlocking Climate Action – Tuesday, November 7 from 8:00am-2:00pm

Did you know that buildings are the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in NYC? Reducing our energy use = climate action! Join the Office of Energy & Sustainability and Solar One for a day of standards-aligned, hands-on activities. You'll leave with access to curriculum and will be eligible for a free one-day classroom residency. Earn up to five CTLE credits. Register for Energy Efficiency: Unlocking Climate Action. 

Climate + Energy Education Intensive

The NYC Solar Schools Education Program is now called the Climate + Energy Education Intensive. The goal is to connect solar installations on school buildings to classroom curriculum. Solar One’s K-12 curriculum is STEM-focused and interdisciplinary, providing students with hands-on learning. Topics include: solar field study, wind turbines, carbon cycle, energy storage, and more. Earn up to five CTLE credits. Pick one date to attend.

• Register for Wednesday, November 15
• Register for Tuesday, November 28

The Tenant Helpline

The Tenant Helpline is a one-of-a-kind tenant resource to inform New York City tenants about their rights and connect them to housing-related resources, including free legal services. The new live call system will be a critical resource for New York tenants who face potential eviction, landlord harassment, or unacceptable living conditions. Call 311 and ask for the "Tenant Helpline." Visit the Tenant Resource Portal to find resources.

WorkWell NYC

Staying fit is essential to the health of New Yorkers. Did you know that NYC Employees enjoy discounts at various gyms across the city? Gyms such as Equinox, 24 Hour Fitness, The YMCA, Crunch, and Blink are offering membership discounts for NYC Employees. Check out each gym to see available discounts and deals. Not a gym person? WorkWell NYC offers virtual fitness classes as well! Check out their schedule here or visit nyc.gov/movemore for more information.

Spirit Awards



Nominations are OPEN for the 44th Annual Volunteer Spirit Awards! Let’s recognize the outstanding individuals and groups in our community who generously give their time and talent to make a difference across New York State. Learn more by visiting the Volunteer New York website.

Does your school have a great service project to share? If so, the Service in Schools team wants to know!

Invite the Service in Schools team to visit your service project. We want to see your students and school community in action. Email the Service in Schools team at ServiceinSchools@schools.nyc.gov with two weeks’ notice, and we will schedule a visit to your school to learn about your project and see the impact you are making on the community. 

Visit our website. Follow @ServiceinSchools on Twitter and @ServiceinSchools on Instagram to receive program updates, upcoming service opportunities, resources, and more. We encourage students who use Twitter and Instagram and are interested in service opportunities to follow us.

Mission: Service in Schools strives to expand the number of NYC students engaged in transformative community service and service-learning experiences that enable them to use their voice, skills, and critical thinking to strengthen communities.