Volunteer Project Catalog
Greenbush YMCA
The Capital District YMCA together with our volunteers and community members is positioned to feed over 1200 families this Thanksgiving holiday. Join us to help pack food bags or to help delivery Thanksgiving meals to families in need throughout Rensselaer County and beyond. People helping people, it is what the Y is all about.
How you can help:
Southern Saratoga YMCA
Join us as a volunteer for the Southern Saratoga YMCA Advisory Council. The Capital District YMCA is a volunteer-lead organization. Under the guidance of the Executive Director, these volunteers help provide valuable community perspective, are the YMCA ambassadors, and help fundraise for mission work in Clifton Park and the surrounding communities. This group of volunteers meet every other month from September - June, with opportunities to become involved in additional task forces, committees, and association events. Once you sign up please email Andrea Montejano, District Executive Director, at amontejano@cdymca.org for more information.
How you can help:
Albany YMCA
• Serve as an advocate for the Albany Branch and the Capital District YMCA. • Promote the YMCA and its mission of strengthening the community. Every day, we work side by side with our neighbors to ensure everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. • Engage in advocacy efforts, which may include: • Sharing information about the CDYMCA at community events • Writing letters of support to legislators • Meeting with political dignitaries during Advocacy Days • Sharing stories and spreading the good news about the Y
How you can help:
Southern Saratoga YMCA
Join us as a volunteer to assist our Swim Instructor staff with swim lessons. This volunteer opportunity is flexible and focuses on helping to teach youth ages 6 months - 12 years old water safety and how to swim. YMCA swim lessons run year round, typically in 4-7 week sessions (meeting once a week). Volunteers shifts are flexible! Once you sign up please email Yillian Burek, Aquatics Director, at yburek@cdymca.org to set up your shifts
How you can help:
Guilderland YMCA
People Helping People is what our Thanksgiving Basket Brigade is all about. In 2016 this initiative started with a group of Y volunteers and community individuals talking about the impact of helping those in need on Thanksgiving. The Guilderland Y has a goal of 385 meals this year! Each basket will contain all of the fixings (canned vegetables, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, brownie or cake mix, rolls and a frozen turkey) needed to for a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. Please assist us be picking up a few extra items during your grocery trips and donating them to this worthwhile cause.
How you can help:
Southern Saratoga YMCA
Come volunteer to help us pack and deliver Thanksgiving Meals to families in our community. Our goal this year is to serve over 120 families!
How you can help:
Greene County YMCA
People helping people is what our Thanksgiving Basket Brigade is all about. In 2016 this initiative started with a group of Y volunteers and community individuals talking about the impact of helping those in need on Thanksgiving. We are in need of volunteers to setup, pack & deliver baskets to our Greene County residents in need this holiday season.
How you can help:
Glenville YMCA
Beginning in 2016, the Caring Community Basket Brigade initiative has brought joy to those who struggle during the holidays. Thanks to generous donors like you, the Y and our community partners have supported more than 2,400 families since 2016. You don’t need us to tell you that many families in the Capital District struggle every day to make ends meet. For them, there is no greater gift to begin the holiday season than all the fixings needed to prepare a complete Thanksgiving meal for their family. This year, we’re working to feed 2,000 families. BETTER TOGETHER - The Capital District YMCA is a leading Capital Region charity.
How you can help:
Bethlehem YMCA
Helping those in need to enjoy the special joy of a complete Thanksgiving meal is what the Basket Brigade program has been doing since 2016. In 2016, HMA Contracting Corp. approached the CDYMCA and volunteered to donate 50 turkeys to provide Capital Region families with a traditional Thanksgiving dinner if the Y could donate the accompanying side dishes. The effort has grown with each passing year thanks to the generous and enthusiastic support of people throughout the Capital Region as well as new corporate sponsors. Volunteers from around the Capital Region sort, pack, and deliver Thanksgiving meals in four counties. The Capital District YMCA has once again teamed up with our friends at HMA Contracting, Hamel Real Estate & St. Edwards Church, and the Capital Region Food Pantries to feed families this Thanksgiving. This year, we estimate we will feed over 1,500 families. The estimated cost to provide a complete meal with all of the fixings and the turkey is $100. How many families we are able to feed depends on your help. Currently, we are accepting monetary donations, to help us purchase turkeys and other items necessary to complete each meal. Our branches will be collecting the following: Canned Veggies Canned Fruit Stuffing Mashed Potatoes Canned Yams Gravy Brownie Mix All monetary donations are tax deductible.
How you can help:
Bethlehem YMCA
The Branch Community Engagement Council works in partnership with the Association Board of Directors to deliver the strategic plan of the Capital District YMCA. Council members offer advice and guidance and lead fundraising initiatives to support the mission work of the YMCA.
How you can help:
Administrative Office
The Black and Latino Achievers (Achievers) club is a leadership, educational support, career readiness, and college preparation program for youth. It provides youth with the ability to set and achieve high educational and professional goals; receive support from mentors; gain exposure to diverse career options; and develop life skills needed to become successful in school and beyond. Consider applying to become a volunteer today. Complete the process to receive information about you can complete the safety background check for consideration for a volunteer position.
How you can help:
YMCA Camp Chingachgook
Help create a positive experience for our campers, community groups, and staff! Volunteers may help with teaching activities, assisting our day camp program, helping provide transportation for international staff to experience the surrounding areas, and more.
How you can help:
Guilderland YMCA
Share an hour. Create a memory. Build a friendship. Join us in bringing joy, creativity, and connection to elementary students in our Afterschool Program! As a GrandFriends Activity Companion, you’ll spend time reading stories, playing board or card games, and enjoying fun arts & crafts together. Every visit is an opportunity to learn from one another, spark imagination, and celebrate simple moments of laughter and discovery. No special skills required — just a warm heart, a love of kids, and a desire to make a difference. Together, we’ll build friendships across generations and strengthen our community one smile at a time.
How you can help:
Guilderland YMCA
Share an hour. Create a memory. Build a friendship. Join us in bringing joy, creativity, and connection to elementary students in our Afterschool Program! As a GrandFriends Activity Companion, you’ll spend time reading stories, playing board or card games, and enjoying fun arts & crafts together. Every visit is an opportunity to learn from one another, spark imagination, and celebrate simple moments of laughter and discovery. No special skills required — just a warm heart, a love of kids, and a desire to make a difference. Together, we’ll build friendships across generations and strengthen our community one smile at a time.
How you can help:
Guilderland YMCA
The Guilderland YMCA & Guilderland Chamber of Commerce continue to join forces to support families and children during the holiday season. Through a combined effort, up to 50 families and 30 children will receive gifts for the holidays. We need volunteers to help us facilitate this initiative. Help us make this Holiday Season festive to our neighbors in need.
How you can help:
Southern Saratoga YMCA
Thursday evenings 5 pm-7 pm. Assist students with their schoolwork by offering support and encouragement in a variety of subjects. Your role will help create a positive, focused environment where students can improve their skills and thrive academically.
How you can help:
Southern Saratoga YMCA
Math National Honors society students to come in and help with homework
How you can help:
Southern Saratoga YMCA
Join us as a volunteer to support our Membership staff at the Member Services Desk. This flexible opportunity allows us to match you with activities that align with your unique skills and passions, ensuring a meaningful and effective contribution. Volunteer duties range from greeting and welcoming members, to making new member welcome folders, and assisting Member Services staff. Staff will teach each volunteer during their volunteer time. We are looking for volunteers year-round, from Sunday through Saturday, with a focus on evenings and weekend help. Volunteers shifts are flexible! Upon singing up, please email Katie Massie, Membership Director at kmassie@cdymca.org to schedule your shifts.
How you can help:
Schenectady YMCA
845 Commons provides housing and support services to previously homeless, disables men, veterans and individuals with disabilities preference. We are looking to kitchen help to . We are looking for volunteers in the kitchen to help maintains kitchen work areas, floors, equipment, and utensils. As well as, assist cooks with food preparation while maintaining high level of sanitation in immediate area.
How you can help:
Glenville YMCA
Join us as we celebrate the holiday season with our annual Night With Santa holiday event. Event duties include, set up (table set up, decoration) Arts & Crafts, Game playing, and breakdown. We are looking forward to another wonderful event with you help.
How you can help:
Bethlehem YMCA
Pickleball Ambassadors are volunteers who have pledged to promote the sport of pickleball and the Capital District YMCA in the local area that they represent. They are individuals or couples who work with the communities, clubs, and other various recreational facilities to guide and help build pickleball programs for all to enjoy. These Ambassadors work to enhance the development of pickleball within the Capital District YMCA. The main prerequisite is a love of the sport and the desire to share our game with others of all ages.
How you can help:
Southern Saratoga YMCA
Join us as a volunteer to support our Program staff in Youth Programming. This flexible opportunity allows us to match you with activities that align with your unique skills and passions, ensuring a meaningful and effective contribution. We are currently looking for help in the following areas: -STEM -Lego STEM -Art -Music -Sports (including, but not limited to flag football, soccer, basketball, pickleball, running, archery) YMCA Programs run year round, as drop in workshops or 4-7 week sessions (typically meeting once a week). Volunteers shifts are flexible! Once you sign up please email Jenn Kendrick, Director of Operations, at jkendrick@cdymca.org to set up your shifts.
How you can help:
Southern Saratoga YMCA
Come volunteer to help us pack and districbute Brooks BBQ. This fundraiser is in support of our Basket Brigade, to help feed families in our community at Thanksgiving! You can also volunteer to help us showcase our newly renovated spaces at SSY, help run promotional youth programs, and introduce the community to all that we have to offer!
How you can help:
Schenectady YMCA
On November 9, 2025, The Schenectady YMCA will once again serve as the hub for Stockadeathon! Stockadeathon is a safe and secure, USATF-certified 15K course through Schenectady’s historic Stockade district, beautiful Central Park, and the historic Vale Cemetery. We will have in excess of 3000 competitors in our YMCA on this day. This is a highly anticipated event that brings the community together in many different ways, shapes and forms. There are numerous shift times to choose from. Come join the fun!
How you can help:
Guilderland YMCA
We are excited to host two CYO travel basketball teams at the Guilderland YMCA to compete across the Capital Region. We are looking for enthusiastic members of the community to help coach our teams. The practices start in mid-November and go the entire season, the game schedule starts in December and goes through mid-March. Practices would be afterschool on either Monday or Friday with the majority of games being on the weekend. Availability afterschool and on the weekends during the entire season is necessary to coach a team. Former experience coaching/playing basketball is preferred. CPR/AED and First Aid certification is also preferred. Communication between the coach and basketball director is also needed to discuss results, schedule, and other relevant things pertaining to the team.
How you can help:
Troy YMCA
The Capital District YMCA Troy Family branch will be serving 100 families throughout the Troy community with a full Thanksgiving meal. Each family will receive a bag filled with all of the fixings, including a frozen turkey to cook at their convenience. Together we can help pack each bag and delivery these meals to families in our community. Neighbors helping neighbors, that is what the Thanksgiving Basket Brigade program is all about.
How you can help:
Southern Saratoga YMCA
Join us as a volunteer to support our Group Exercise staff in classes. This flexible opportunity allows us to match you with activities that align with your unique skills and passions, ensuring a meaningful and effective contribution. Staff will teach each volunteer during their volunteer time. We are looking for volunteers year-round, from Monday-Friday. Volunteers shifts are flexible! Upon singing up, please email Thor Lampman, Wellness Director, at tlampman@cdymca.org to schedule your shifts.
How you can help: