Volunteering: How can you make a difference for Harlem Academy?

Harlem Academy is only as effective in meeting our mission as the people we have behind us, working to ensure every Harlem Academy student has the education, formation, and experience that his/her potential demands. Harlem Academy volunteers, behind our students and families, are the life force of this school. Our volunteers come from all walks of life with varied gifts, talents, and areas of expertise, however they all have one common purpose: to fully support and encourage the promise and potential within each child. It is a team effort.

Please consider helping in the areas listed below. Do you have another idea? Please contact Susan Johnson, Development Director, at (212) 348.2600 or sjohnson@harlemacademy.org

Opportunities with HA Students

  1. Tutor in reading or other subjects.  It is helpful for volunteers in this area to have some experience working with children and to commit to helping one day per week for at least a semester.  (most needed from 4:45 to 6:00pm M-F)
  2. Chaperone or host field trips.  A list of current needs is available through the school, and an additional list of potential ideas is kept at the office to help teachers in their development of future projects. 
  3. Guest teach, assist with Integrated Studies from 1:30pm -2:30pm, sharing an area of expertise related to our in-depth exploration of social studies, science, and arts based themes.  A list of current projects is available through the school, and an additional list of potential instructors is kept at the office to help teachers in their development of future projects.

Opportunities with the HA Admissions & Development Office

  1. Graphic design, writing, editing, or photography to help with admissions, outreach, fundraising, or grant writing materials.
  2. Organize and provide support for school mailings as they come up throughout the year.
  3. Provide related professional services.  We currently have dedicated supporters providing legal and accounting services to the school but have needs for public relations, marketing, and possibly other areas based on suggestions or needs.
  4. Organize, recruit for, or work at special events like the Spring Benefit, the charity biking event, smaller gatherings here at school, or an idea of your own to help support the school.
  5. Introduce the school to individuals, family foundations, corporations, or other organizations that have an interest in supporting the kind of educational opportunity the school provides.
  6. Become a guide by visiting the school to meet the students, meet the staff, and gain an in-depth understanding of the program so you can work with school personnel to host tours of the school with others who may be interested in helping the school.
  7. Make or solicit other in-kind contributions like new (or gently used) books, sports equipment, school supplies, or office equipment, as well as items to help spark bidding at the spring benefit’s silent auction.
  8. Provide scholarship contributions.  While gifts of time and expertise make a tremendous difference for our school, we can only provide critical educational services to disadvantaged families through your generous financial support.  Donors to the scholarship campaign often connect to students in much the same way as volunteers, receiving updates on progress and, at certain levels, personal letters from students they are supporting.