We Are New York Values
We Are New York Values

Access to Healthcare

Access to Healthcare

Mission: The Campaign for New York Health is a statewide coalition dedicated to passing and implementing legislation for universal health care in New York State. Healthcare is a human right that should be accessible to all of us, not just those who can afford to pay. A universal system, often referred to as "single-payer," is the most equitable and affordable way to achieve comprehensive coverage for all, freedom of choice, quality care, accountability, and fair payments to health care providers. We believe a system that pays for care, not increasing profits, will save lives and money, benefiting our whole economy.

Website: https://www.nyhcampaign.org/getinvolved
Email: info@nyhcampaign.org
Phone: n/a

What volunteers do:

  • lobby state senators to sponsor the New York Health Act

  • collect New York Health postcards to the state senate

  • translate materials from English to Spanish

  • outreach and tabling

  • collect testimonials from businesses, healthcare workers, and patients about financial barriers to healthcare access

  • host a film screening of Fix It

  • social media

  • data entry and office work

  • write letters to the editor, blogs, public comments

  • host a fundraising house party

  • graphic design

  • video editing

Mission: Citizen Action of New York is a grassroots membership organization taking on big issues that are at the center of transforming society: quality education and after-school programs for all our kids; guaranteed quality, affordable health care; public financing of election campaigns; dismantling racism and promoting racial justice; a more progressive tax system. We look for opportunities to accomplish big changes – not small, incremental reforms. We work to elect progressive candidates to office who are committed to these issues. Our power comes from the grassroots: people coming together to push the edge of the possible. Every new member helps bring New York and America closer to a society that works for all of us!

Website: https://citizenactionny.org/
Phone: 212-523-0180
Email: nyc@citizenactionny.org

What volunteers do:

  • represent Citizen Action at coalition meetings

  • assign tasks and keep track of tasks for follow-up

  • captain buses to events, rallies, marches

  • coordinate calendar of meetings and events

  • write and distribute chants

  • cook for events

  • debrief participant volunteers

  • maintain office inventory and order

  • facilitate meetings

  • design flyers, newsletters, literature

  • keep membership list

  • press liaison

  • media research

  • take meeting minutes

  • office manager

  • captain phone banks

  • photograph events

  • watchdog/track politicians’ social media feeds

  • receptionist

  • issue research

  • meeting peacekeeper

  • social-media engagement

  • book speakers

  • spokesperson

  • coordinate visibility (banners, signs, pins, t-shirts)

  • coordinate volunteers

  • write op-eds, letters to the editor, chapter’s monthly report to Albany

Mission: Across the city and around the state, we are working to ensure that every New Yorker has access to affordable, quality health coverage. We partner with New York State to help consumers enroll in new health insurance options through the NY State of Health marketplace. We help New York consumers get, keep, and make better use of their health insurance. We research and promote policy solutions and lead a statewide coalition for health reform. Through our research, advocacy, and services, CSS is making a difference in the lives of New Yorkers.

Website: https://www.cssny.org/pages/volunteer-with-us
Phone: 212-614-5537   
Email: healthvolunteer@cssny.org

What volunteers do:

  • get trained as an ACA health-care navigator

  • help NYers find and keep health insurance

  • help NYers find affordable health care and prescriptions

  • help resolve insurance disputes

Borough: Manhattan

FYI: Minimum commitment 8 hours/week

Mission: Healthcare-NOW! NYC educates, advocates, and activates people to participate in the fight for truly universal, single-payer healthcare at the city, state, and national levels. Healthcare-Now! NYC is dedicated to putting grassroots pressure on Congress and the state legislature to pass single payer bills.

Website: http://www.hcn-nyc.org/?page_id=6
Phone: n/a
Email: hcn.nyc@gmail.com

What volunteers do:

  • attend monthly meetings

  • advocacy at community boards

  • community outreach to disseminate educational materials

  • write letters to the editor

  • host educational events

  • organize demonstrations

  • collect signatures

  • lobby politicians

Mission: The Medicare Rights Center works to ensure access to affordable health care for older adults and people with disabilities through counseling and advocacy, educational programs, and public policy initiatives. Since 1989, we’ve been helping people with Medicare understand their rights and benefits, navigate the Medicare system and secure the quality health care they deserve. We’re the largest and most reliable independent source of Medicare information and assistance in the United States.

Website: https://www.medicarerights.org/volunteer
Volunteer application: https://www.medicarerights.org/pdf/volunteer-application.pdf
Phone: 212-204-6229
Email: info@medicarerights.org or Maxwell Arnaud, coordinator of volunteers, at marnaud@medicarerights.org

What Volunteers Do:

  • receive comprehensive training to run national Medicare hotline

  • administrative support (file, copy, enter data, graphic design, market research, fundraise, compile reports)

FYI:

  • volunteers with legal and medical training should contact the organization for specialized opportunities

Borough: Manhattan

Mission: Since 1981, Morris Heights Health Center (MHHC) has had a record of distinction as the major provider of health care to Morris Heights and the surrounding areas. Born out of the local need for quality care, MHHC is a non-profit organization funded by federal, state, and foundation grants as well as private and corporate donors. For over a quarter of a century, we've provided quality primary health care services to all members of the community, including the medically, socially, and economically disadvantaged. Our services range from medical and dental services to counseling. Our health center has always been proud to stand at the forefront in our local and medical communities. Morris Heights Health Center provides care to patients whether or not they are able to pay.

Website: https://www.mhhc.org/career-opportunities/volunteer-opportunities/
Volunteer application: https://www.mhhc.org/documents/content/Volunteer-App-Final-2017.1).pdf
Email: volunteer@mhhc.org
Phone: 718-716-4400

What volunteers do:

  • clerical/administrative (answer phones, take messages, direct calls, file, photocopy, collate, prepare mailings)

  • assist in shipping/receiving, stock shelves, deliver packages

  • project-based support

  • collaborate on content, design, production of newsletter

  • identify content for email blasts

  • write and present content for publications 

  • research

  • create, gather and prepare materials for distribution

  • manage contact lists and databases

  • participate in internal and external outreach events

  • meet and greet patients, help them navigate the information/education kiosks and the MHHC facility

  • address patient concerns/bring issues to appropriate staff member

  • maintain patient waiting areas

  • create information packages for Reach out and Read (childcare during parents’ medical visits)

  • organize ROR materials

  • assist children in selecting and reading material and participating in other activities

  • provide limited care and oversight of children during patient visits

FYI:

  • drug screening and TB test required for some positions

Borough: Bronx

Mission: New York Harm Reduction Educators (NYHRE) fights the stigmas associated with drug use and sex work every day. Our cornerstone services – syringe exchange, education and outreach – are central to our mission. Our street-side delivery model brings NYHRE’s services to sites in East Harlem and the South Bronx every day. Our programs and services focus on three key areas: advocacy, outreach and education, and holistic health. NYHRE recognizes the multicultural diversity of the communities it serves, and provides its services and materials in culturally appropriate ways. Our staff is multilingual, ensuring that our constituents can discuss their situations and communicate their problems with people who will fully understand them. NYHRE accepts that drug use and sex work have always been part of our society and always will be, and choose to minimize the harmful effects. We treat people who use drugs or engage in sex work with respect and dignity, acknowledging that they are fully capable of making their own decisions and including them in the creation of programs and services. We recognize the realities of poverty, class, racism, and other social inequalities are all part of the stigmatization of people who use drugs or engage in sex work. We advocate against policies that disproportionately harm people who use drugs or engage in sex work, particularly low-income people and people of color, and are committed to social justice and basic human rights for people who use drugs or engage in sex work.

Website: http://nyhre.org/how-you-can-help/volunteer/
Email:  https://onpointnyc.org/contact-us/
Phone: 718-828-8464

Borough: Manhattan, Bronx

What volunteers do:

  • office work (computer, administrative)

  • become an UPRISE peer-to-peer health educator and community advocate

  • learn how to recognize and treat drug overdoses

  • share art, writing, or musical talent with NYHERE participants

  • teach a class

FYI:

  • UPRISE program includes rigorous workshop training and supervised Field Practicum

Borough: Manhattan, Bronx