Service Trips
Our service trip volunteers play a critical role in helping City Relief maximize its impact every week. They help outreach to run smoothly and are important in setting the stage for building trusting relationships with our outreach guests. We welcome service trip teams 42 weeks out of the year to stay at our base.
It’s Global
Teams from around the world have come to stay, serve, and make a difference. Many have been radically changed by their experience, bringing hope and connections to resources to friends on the streets of New York City. We have everything your team needs for an impactful week of service that will change our guests and volunteers' lives.
Please reach out if you have questions or want to discuss booking a trip in 2024.
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Homelessness has reached unprecedented levels in the NYC Metro area and beyond. At City Relief, we continue to compassionately serve more and more people experiencing homelessness and poverty. We offer tangible help and connect people to resources and hope, but we can’t do that alone. We need your help. As your team creates a safe, welcoming and joyful environment for our guests, City Relief staff can connect with guests face-to-face to offer hope and personalized care coordination to meet their unique needs.
See below for a sample schedule and more details or click here for an overview.
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City Relief has had the privilege of continuing our work as an essential service providing homelessness relief in NYC & NJ. We are committed to the safety & health of every person connected to our mission. Guidelines are subject to change in accordance with state, federal, and insurance requirements.
● Minimum age to serve on a Service Trip is 18 years old on the day of service. This change went into effect on September 1, 2021.
● Clear background checks are required for all trip participants. For $12 each, you can order background checks online at https://ministryopportunities.org/CityRelief
● COVID Testing & Disclosure: ALL service trip participants are required to provide City Relief with negative COVID test results within a few days of arrival. Please email your results to kate@cityrelief.org.
● Masking is no longer required at outreach, except when serving food.
● Sight-seeing in NYC: Popular tourist destinations in NYC may still require masks and/or proof of vaccination. Please check carefully with the provider before purchasing tickets or scheduling special events for your team.
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Lodging Fee: $325 per person, per week: Tuesday Arrival, Saturday Departure.
Additional Nights: $50 per extra night per person for Monday arrivals or Sunday departures.
Deposit: To reserve teams of up to 12 volunteers for the week, a $500 deposit is required, which will be applied to your final bill.
If you have other questions or want more information about our programs, email Kate Richards, Volunteer Manager at kate@cityrelief.org
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● Base of Operations and Housing in New York City Metro Area (Get a city volunteer experience with less noise & expense!)
● Room + Board for Teams of up to 12 volunteers:
• Includes booking for off-site housing
• Breakfast Pantry, Lunch on the Bus and 3 Dinners Provided
● Standard Trip Week is Tuesday to Saturday, but Monday arrivals and Sunday departures may be accommodated upon request.
● Live Training upon Arrival & Trip Debrief with Staff on Friday.
● Outreaches Led by City Relief Staff.
● Free time for sightseeing is built into the trip schedule.
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We appreciate your team traveling to serve with us! Click below to find more information about transportation.
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Ready? Take the next steps to formally schedule a Service Trip, and please fill out the Service Trip Response Form. We will contact you with the next steps!
