COMMUNITY SERVICE

Opportunities are only updated when the organization notifies us of changes. Please consider this listing (in alphabetical order) a starting-point in your search.

At Metuchen High School, we strongly encourage all our students to participate in community service as a part of their educational journey. We believe that these activities foster the development of character, self-esteem and leadership qualities. Contributing to a cause or event, or providing a needed service to others, allows students an opportunity to meet and work with new people, explore interests, learn new skills and experience personal growth. Involvement in community service also reflects a depth of character that can enhance a student’s resume for colleges and scholarships, but we expect our students to become involved because of the personal benefits, not just because it looks good on paper.

Below is a list of local opportunities available in and around Metuchen. For additional information on any listing, please contact the organization directly. Students are encouraged to participate in at least five (5) hours of community service each year. The personal benefits are worth every minute!

Contact info may have changed since this list was developed. If you representent an entity wishing MHS to list your volunteer opportunities or an entity whose information below has changed, please contact school counseling at 732-321-8700 x 5020.

Organization

The ARC of Middlesex County

Location

22119 Black Horse Lane, North Brunswick, NJ 08902

Description

The organization is dedicated to promoting equal life opportunities for people who have developmental disabilities. Volunteers will assist in the office or with fundraising. Call and discuss other possible contributions that suit your interests and skills. Monday – Friday; days & some evenings.

Requirements

Not specified or unknown

Contact Info

Phone: (732) 821-1199 ext 139 or email here

Website

http://www.arc-middlesex.org/

Organization

American Red Cross

Location

Westfield, Somerset or Princeton areas (depending on service)

Description

Help out at blood drives, provide service to armed forces such as visiting the Lion’s Veteran’s Hospital, work at various community events, run fire safety trailer, etc. Some programs require training for volunteers. Consider joining Red Cross Youth Council to connect with ongoing involvement.

Requirements

Some age restrictions, depending on the service

Contact Info

Volunteer Coordinators: Joelle Piercy at 609-951-2123 or Suzanne Anderson at 908-232-7090 Ext. 2019

Website

www.redcross.org

Organization

Borough Improvement League

Location

P.O. Box 174, Metuchen

Description

Junior Volunteer; Volunteer activities include art curating, yard work and gardening, helping at historic house tours and serving events, and helping at the annual Metuchen Zombie Walk in late October.

Requirements

Grades 6-12

Contact Info

Ms. Tyreen Reuter: ayersallenhouse@msn.com

Website

Website

Organization

Breaking the Chain through Education

Location

MHS – Room 202 (after school)

Description

Raise money to rescue child slaves and build schools in Ghana, Africa.

Requirements

Open to all high school students

Contact Info


Evan Robbins – Teacher -
erobbins@metboe.k12.nj.us

Website

www.btcte.org

Organization

Buddy Ball

Location

Roosevelt Park & various other locations

Description

Buddy Ball is a youth sports and social organization for children of special needs. Volunteers will assist kids with special needs in playing ball.

Requirements

6th grade and older

Contact Info

See website for contacts by sport

Website

www.buddyballofedison.com

Organization

Catholic Charities

Location

288 Rues Lane, East Brunswick, NJ

Description

The organization will work with students to find volunteer placement at services such as Ozanam’s Family Shelter, Naomi’s Way transitional housing or at Early Learning Centers, assisting staff and conduct activities for children.

Requirements

Not specified or unknown

Contact Info

See website for phone numbers

Website

www.ccdom.org

Organization

Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park

Location

37 Christie Street, Edison , NJ

Description

Greet visitors to the museum. Help with the gift shop and help students with hands-on demonstrations. This organization asks that their volunteers commit to spend a minimum of 30 hours of volunteering.

Requirements

Must be 15 years of age or older

Contact Info

Student Volunteer Application

Website

www.menloparkmuseum.org

Organization

Elijah’s Promise Soup Kitchen

Location

18 Neilson Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Description

Help feed the hungry. Help prepare food and/or clean up.

Requirements

Age requirements vary for different duties, but the minimum age is 14.

Contact Info

See website for information

Website

www.elijahspromise.org

Organization

March of Dimes - Team Youth Program

Location

2400 Main Street Ext., Suite 1, Sayreville, NJ 08872

Description

The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Team Youth ensures volunteers have access to: age- appropriate and mission-relevant health education information; community, state and national leadership opportunities, and fundraising activities that are fun and rewarding. Help raise awareness, organize fundraisers, and serve on chapter or division boards.

Requirements

Not specified or unknown

Website

Volunteer page

Organization

Metuchen-Edison Historical Society

Location

480 Middlesex Avenue, Metuchen

Description

Volunteer opportunities include photographing buildings along assigned streets and special sites, conducting documenting interviews with long-time residents (oral history) and preserving and maintaining the Colonial Cemetery.

Requirements

High school students

Contact Info

Ms. Tyreen Reuter at ayersallenhouse@msn.com

Website

http://metuchen-edisonhistsoc.org/

Organization

Metuchen Municipal Alliance

Location

Borough Hall, Metuchen

Description

The vision for the Metuchen Municipal Alliance is an informed and engaged community working to reduce underage drinking, the recreational use of marijuana (including vaping), and the abuse of prescription drugs among adults and youths.

The mission for the Metuchen Municipal Alliance is to partner with the schools, the YMCA, and other organizations in town to reach adults and youth through programs and initiatives that inform, engage, and change attitudes towards a healthy, substance-free lifestyle.

Contact Info

Alliance Email

Website

MMA

Organization

Metuchen Public Library Book Friends

Location

480 Middlesex Avenue, Metuchen

Description

Volunteers meet weekly in July with a 1st or 2nd grader in a supervised program with varied reading and word fun activities and crafts. There is a mandatory training session in June.

Requirements

Students in grades 8-12; Application required; available online in June

Contact Info

YA Librarian, Kathy Liss; kliss@lmxac.org ; 732-632-8526

Website

Become a Friend!

Organization

Metuchen Public Library TAB – Teen Advisory Board

Location

480 Middlesex Avenue, Metuchen

Description

TAB members attend monthly decision-making meetings to plan and promote Young Adult programming and initiatives like author visits, book groups, the Garden State Book Awards, and the annual YA Library Scavenger Hunt. TAB members also assist at the other events. The TAB meets September – May.

Requirements

Grades 6-12

Contact Info

YA Librarian, Kathy Liss; kliss@lmxac.org ; 732-632-8526

Website

Teen Advisory Board

Organization

Metuchen First Aid Squad

Location

The Metuchen First Aid Squad provides free ambulance service to the residents of Metuchen and surrounding communities.

Description

Cadet Program:

Requirements

High school students; ages 16-18

Application

Cadet Application

Website

http://www.metuchenfas.org/

Organization

Metuchen Senior Citizen Center

Location

15 Center Street, Metuchen

Description

Assist with various small jobs and tasks, such as raking leaves, removing snow, etc.

Requirements

High school age

Contact Info

See website for contact information

Organization

NAACP

Location

Various

Description

Various programs

Requirements

Various

Contact Info

NPPCP NJ Youth Programs

Organization

Power of Friendship

Location

MHS – Room 202

Description

High school students (in groups of 2 or 3) will visit with students with special needs at their homes, once a week for one hour

Requirements

Open to high school students

Contact Info

Mr Robbins

Website

Not applicable

Organization

Ronald McDonald House of New Brunswick

Location

Somerset Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Description

A group of 8-10 volunteers, with an adult for supervision, may use their kitchen and cook dinner for the families that are staying there. The program is called the Caring Cooks program. They also look for volunteers to run a can tab drive. They collect tabs for cans and then turn them into a local recycling facility which pays them for the tabs.

Requirements

Not specified or unknown

Contact Info

Volunteer Application

Website

www.rmh-cnj.org

Organization

YMCA of Metuchen

Location

483 Middlesex Ave, Metuchen, NJ 08840

Description

Volunteers are needed for swimming lessons, the pre-school program and summer camp. One day opportunities exist to help others in the community and with events like Tot Trot and an annual 5K event.

Requirements

Not specified or unknown

Website

www.ymcaofmewsa.org/volunteer

Organization

Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University

Location

71 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick

Description

ZAMbassadors Program; Volunteers help the museum fulfill its mission to serve both university and community audiences. Volunteer activities range from those demanding dedicated commitment and pre-training, to others requiring only enthusiasm and a desire to help the Zimmerli provide enjoyable and meaningful experiences for its audiences. Volunteer activities include guiding tours as trained docents, planning membership events, and providing administrative support.

Requirements

High school students; grades 10-12

Contact Info

Send an email to: education@zimmerli.rutgers.edu or call 848-932-7237

Website

http://www.zimmerlimuseum.rutgers.edu/about/opportunities#.UGHH3MmF9tI