Luisa Diaz Foundation

Earlier this year, Mayor Eric Adams proclaimed May 18, 2023, as “Kindness is Cool Day” in New York City. This proclamation came about in acknowledgement of the work of the Luisa Diaz Foundation, whose mission statement is “Kindness is Cool.” The Luisa Diaz Foundation celebrates organizations and individuals who are making a direct impact in helping people and their communities through acts of kindness. The Luisa Diaz Foundation invites teachers and students to participate in the "Snowball of Kindness" by helping to highlight programs and acts of kindness in and out of the classroom. If you know of an act of kindness that you would like to highlight, contact info@luisadiazfoundation.org so the Luisa Diaz Foundation can celebrate these acts of kindness on their social media. Follow the Luisa Diaz Foundation on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook.

NYC Youth Leadership Council

NYC Youth Leadership Councils (YLCs) are a network of youth groups focused on policy, practice, and advocacy to make local change happen. Each YLC is a space to team up with others, share ideas, create solutions, and put those solutions into action with support from NYC agencies, schools, and community organizations. NYC Service offers students service hours, insight into potential college and career opportunities, personal and professional skills, a certificate of completion, and more. To join or host a leadership council, visit the NYC Service website. Youth must be 14+ to participate.

Hard-To-Recycle List



Our lives are full of hard-to-recycle items we no longer want or need that can't simply be tossed in the recycling bags picked up by the Department of Sanitation (DSNY). These include goods and materials, either not accepted by DSNY or collected infrequently. A common question asked is: "Where can I recycle... [fill in the blank]?" As a result, Upper West Side Recycling created their own unique HARD-TO-RECYCLE ITEMS list which is updated regularly as new information becomes available. Check out the Hard-to-Recycle List to find lots of practical information on what to do with: batteries and lighting; compost; computers, cell phones, and other electronic equipment; household hazardous waste; paper shredding; plastics; textiles and carpeting; and other general and miscellaneous information. To learn more about Upper West Side Recycling, sign up to receive their newsletter, or email them at info@uwsr.org.

Hygiene Products For Families in Temporary Housing

We have all heard about the current migrant crisis affecting New York City at the moment. Many children and families in need, both migrants and other individuals living in temporary housing, have come to New York City with very little and lack access to essential items like soap, toothpaste, and sanitary products. The Floating Hospital is collecting donations that will promote better health and self-esteem, and ensure that individuals can maintain their personal hygiene. To donate essential items or to find out more information about this initiative, visit the NYC Service website.

Project Sunshine

Project Sunshine is devoted to bringing joy to children with medical needs and their families, offering three tailored programs: Here To Play connects patients with volunteers in hospitals, fostering social interaction through creative arts; TelePlay provides a live play experience using a secure technology platform; and Kits for Play delivers arts and crafts activity kits directly to children. Through these experiences Project Sunshine aims to create moments of joy to promote healing in medical settings. Learn more on the Project Sunshine website and explore the many volunteer opportunities they offer.

Backpacks For The Streets

Backpacks For The Street is a five year old nonprofit organization dedicated to helping the homeless in New York City. As of September 2023, Backpacks For The Street has assisted more than 100,000 individuals, providing food, necessities, clothing, and emergency aid to New Yorkers struggling with homelessness. Backpacks For The Street also provides one-on-one support on long-term solutions including housing, employment, food insecurity, and health care, including access to HIV care, mental health, LGBTQ+ support, and substance abuse. If you are interested in volunteering, sign up on their website and check out their Instagram page to learn more about their work and the people they help.

Brooklyn Book Bodega

The Brooklyn Book Bodega is an organization with an ambitious goal to increase the number of 100+ book homes for kids 0-18 in New York City. Brooklyn Book Bodega provides access to and ownership of books, builds community, and creates a passion for learning through free events and literacy-based community programming. To donate literature to the Brooklyn Book Bodega, volunteer, or find out how to utilize their services, visit their website.

Doing Good Together

Doing Good Together is a nonprofit that helps you do just as their name suggests, provide service together. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they created a list of ways that families can volunteer from a distance. After the pandemic ended, they continued to update this resource page with new ideas that families can use to engage in service. From helping with yard care to cleaning up your neighborhood, Doing Good Together has a volunteer suggestion for you. To spark ideas on different service learning projects, visit the Doing Good Together tools and tips webpage.

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.