Blythedale has more than 100 volunteers working in departments all over the Hospital. Some opportunities involve interacting directly with children—from infants to high school students—others may involve working ‘behind the scenes’ and providing critical support for our programs and departments.
Volunteer opportunities at Blythedale are available for people of all ages—college students considering medical careers and seeking first-hand experience, high school students looking for meaningful opportunities to complete community service for graduation, as well as busy professionals, stay-at-home parents, and retirees looking to give back to their community.
We match an applicant's interests, skills and availability to our Hospital and School needs. We look for a commitment of at least 40 hours of service over six months.
Volunteers are important members of the Blythedale community. They are caring and compassionate individuals dedicating their time, talents and energy to play a critical role in our mission of helping children achieve their goals and return home to their families and communities.
School credit may be available to some high school and college volunteers. Please read the most recent editions of
InTouch, our student volunteer newsletter, for
Winter 2012 and
Spring 2012.
Younger volunteers may request a Kids for Kids project idea list.
Volunteer Opportunities
Blythedale offers many programs to suit a variety of interests, ages and availability. Learn more about some of our opportunities below:
Administrative/Office Assistance- Volunteers perform administrative tasks such as filing, photocopying, etc. Ages 16 and above.
Early Childhood Center- Volunteers assist individual children or small groups with learning and play activities. Ages 16 and above.
Family Resource Center- Volunteers engage siblings and younger visitors in play activities in the Playroom or assist parents with research and other technical needs in the Library/Resource Center. Ages 16 and above. Monday-Friday 10am-2pm & 4pm-6pm, Sat/Sun 2pm-4pm.
Hug & Hold- Volunteers hold, cuddle and comfort babies and toddlers. Ages 18 and above.
Occupational Therapy- Volunteers work under the direction of an Occupational Therapist to assist during treatment sessions, transport patients to and from therapy, and maintain the general upkeep of the department. Ages 18 and above. Mondays-Fridays, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Volunteers must be available a full morning and/or afternoon weekly and must make a minimum commitment of 140 hours over one year.
Physical Therapy- Volunteers work under the direction of a Physical Therapist to assist during treatment sessions, transport patients to and from therapy, and maintain the general upkeep of the department. Ages 18 and above. Mondays-Fridays, 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Volunteers must be available a full morning and/or afternoon weekly and must make a minimum commitment of 200 hours over one year.
School- Volunteers work with students (preschool through high school) toward specific goals of their education plans. Ages 16 and above.
Speech Therapy- Volunteers work under the direction of a Speech Pathologist and/or Audiologist to assist during treatment sessions, transport patients to and from therapy, perform clerical duties and maintain the general upkeep of the department. Ages 18 and above. Mondays-Fridays, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. or 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Volunteers must be available a full morning or afternoon weekly.
Storytime- Volunteers read and/or play games with children between the ages of 3-12. Ages 16 and above.
Teen Time- Volunteers work with adolescents between the ages of 13-19, reading, talking and doing other activities appropriate to the patients’ needs. Ages 16 and above.
Therapeutic Recreation- Volunteers work with children between the ages of 5 and 19, assisting in one-on-one and group recreational activities (e.g. games, crafts, holiday parties, etc.). Ages 16 and above.
Welcome Desk- Welcome incoming visitors and assist with directions and information as needed. Ages 18 and above.
For more information on Blythedale’s volunteer opportunities, please contact the Hospital’s Director of Volunteer Services, Jabeen Dinzey, at (914) 831-2428.
Youth Service Projects
Hospitalized children sometimes have special needs that can be met through the generosity of individuals, families, schools and organizations. Sharing of your time and talents can help make a child’s recovery a more comfortable and positive experience.
We also greatly appreciate the interest of young people. Scout troops, groups from churches and synagogues, and school classes can bring so much to our patients’ lives through their donation of time. Instilling the importance of philanthropy at an early age fosters a mutually beneficial relationship between volunteer and patient. Volunteer hours outside the Hospital, to benefit our children, make a significant contribution and can be considered service hours.
How to Apply
If you are interested in volunteering at Blythedale, please submit a
Volunteer Application. Applications may be e-mailed to
jdinzey@blythedale.org or faxed to 914-592-0407. If you prefer, please mail the application to:
Jabeen Dinzey, Director
Volunteer Services
Blythedale Children’s Hospital
95 Bradhurst Avenue
Valhalla, NY 10595.
Blythedale Children’s Hospital is fortunate to receive many volunteer applications. Our volunteer opportunities are based on the needs of the Hospital, so we match our applicants’ skills and availability to our current needs. If your application meets our needs, we’ll invite you in for an interview and tour. Please be aware that, due to the number of applications we receive, we may not be able to place you at this time. However, we will keep your application on file for 6 months. If you are accepted to the volunteer program, you will need to complete a medical form, criminal background check, NYS Office of Children and Family Services screening, general volunteer orientation and any department-specific training prior to beginning your volunteer assignment.
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