Just For Fun

Community Service

COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

In the Library

The Library offers a number of volunteer opportunities each year for middle school and high school students in 6th-12th grade in the Middle Country School District. By sharing their time and talents, teen volunteers develop new skills and learn about the Library’s mission, public services and core values. Our volunteers have the advantage of exposure to a broad variety of service opportunities which enable them to give back to the community. The following are library volunteer programs offered year-round to students with a valid Middle Country Public Library card. All programs require an application, training or pre-registration in order to participate. For seasonal volunteer opportunities, see the MCPL Quarterly newsletter for a listing of all current programs.

Buddy Programs (For teens in 6th-12th grade)

You must first register for and attend Buddy Training in order to volunteer at any Buddy programs (Art Buddies, Book Buddies, STEM Buddies).

Buddy Training: Learn about how to be a great volunteer in any of our Buddy programs. This training will not only prepare you for Art Buddies, Book Buddies and STEM Buddies, but will give you some tips for volunteering anywhere! You must complete this training in order to be a Teen Buddy.

Art Buddies: Do you enjoy arts and crafts? Earn community service working on different craft and art projects in person with our younger “buddies” children ages 4 to 7.

Book Buddies: What could be better than sharing a book with a child? Pull out some of your old favorites or learn their new favorites, and read to each other.

STEM Buddies: Collaborate with younger kids, or sometimes a bigger group, on projects or activities that are related to STEM topics. You might work on some iPad games or see how tall a structure you can build. You might make an elaborate marble run or have to walk a path the child has “coded” for you. Whatever you do, you know it will be fun!

Teen Volunteer Club applications:

Teen Advisory Council Club Application – For teens in 7th-12th grade. Members plan and implement library programs, and provide input on teen services at MCPL. To join, fill out the online application.
Green Teens Club Application – For teens in 6th-12th grade. Discuss environmental issues, work on eco-friendly projects and receive community service credit for participating. To join, fill out the online application.
Mutt Club Application – For teens in 6th-12th grade. Do you love animals? Want to personally help local shelters? Become a Mutt Club member and get involved! The Mutt Club will meet monthly where members will be able to help animals in a variety of ways. To join, fill out the online application.
Media Teens Club Application – For teens in 6th-12th grade. Get community service for helping promote library events and clubs by creating content. We’ll meet each month to discuss upcoming projects! To join, fill out the online application.

COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

Virtual Volunteering – Additional opportunities coming soon!

 Looking for ways to make a difference in your community? Learn how you can volunteer virtually through the library! These opportunities are for Middle Country teen cardholders in 6th-12th grade unless otherwise noted. Please allow up to one week for a response to your submission and processing of a community service certificate. Please provide a valid email that is not your school account in order to receive your community service certificates. For more information about any of our teen community service programs, please call 631-585-9393 ext 115.

Data Detox x Youth
Click here for guidelines, instructions, and the submission form.

Data Detox x Youth is an activity book to help young people take control of their tech. This interactive toolkit encourages young people to think about different aspects of their digital lives, from their social media profiles to their passwords, with simple activities for reflection and play. Earn three hours for completing the activity book and writing a short paragraph (3-5 sentences) about tips you have learned that can be shared with others. This project may only be submitted one time per teen.
Hope Rocks
Use paint and/or markers to decorate three rocks with inspiring and positive messages and leave them for neighbors. Before you “deliver,” snap a picture and send to shankleskristin@mcplibrary.org to receive a certificate for one hour of community service. Submissions are limited to one per season (every three months).

Teen Reviewers

Write or film a movie, online database, or video game review. Visit the following links for applications and guidelines:

Teen Online Resource Review: https://forms.gle/ZcWwzviWEwJSmWHZ7
Earn one hour of community service for each online resource review submitted; three online resource reviews per season.

Teen Book Reviews: Click here for more details and the submission form. This opportunity is for teens in 7th-12th grade. Earn three hours of community service credit for each submitted review that meets all of the requirements listed on the application, up to a total of nine hours per season.
The library is looking for teens in Grades 7-12 willing to read and review award winning books for Young Adults selected by the American Library Association. Please note that as the books on the Best Books List are recommended for Young Adults from ages 12 to 18, the books vary in maturity levels. Your review should be a well written 250-275 word critical evaluation of the book you have read including a one paragraph summary of the book and a one paragraph critique of the author’s literary merit. Sample reviews will be emailed to you with your reviewer packet.  

 

COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

In the Community

The Library has put together a Teen Volunteer Opportunities binder available in the youth and teen services areas of the library providing information on agencies and organizations in Suffolk County that accept teen volunteers. Age eligibility varies by agency and some organizations do require parental supervision. The following is a list of agencies that welcome teen assistance, click on the agency for more information. Click HERE for a PDF file of the below information.

Volunteering with Animals 

The Adoption Center
Valerie Ward 631-599-4082

adopt@theadoptioncenterny.org

16 years and Up

 

Bide-A-Wee Volunteer Program

Wantagh – Franny x7331

Westhampton – Deanna x7188

bideawee@bideawee.org

16 and older, Younger volunteers when with an adult

Great Strides LI Equestrian

Julie 631-786-9708

Julie@greatstridesli.org

 12 years or older

Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind

Volunteer Services 631-930-9000

info@guidedog.org

 Various responsibilities

Pal-O-Mine Equestrian 

Andrea Casey 631-348-1389

acasey@pal-o-mine.org

16 years & older

Save-A-Pet: Port Jefferson

631-473-6333

 info@saveapetusa.org

16 years & older   

 Sweetbriar Nature Center

Isabel 631-979-6344 x 102

imfswbriarnc@aol.com

13-16 years parent present , 16 and older alone

Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research & Preservation

631-369-9840 

info@marinerescue.org

Warrior Ranch Foundation

631-740-9049

info@warriorranchfoundation.org

 

Youth Group Volunteering (Meetings/ideas)

Avalon Park Nature Initiative

631-689-0619

info@avalonparkandpreserve.org

13-17 years old

Centereach Junior Fire Department

631-588-8652 ext 171

14 years & older

 

Civil Air Patrol Cadets

Jennifer Dickson 631-835-3429

mcyouthcivic@yahoo.com

 

Energeia for Teens- Molloy College

 516-323-4706

energeiaforteens@molloy.edu

14-19 years old

Habitat for Humanity Long Island

631-422-4828

info@habitatLINY.org

14 years & older     

Habitat for Humanity
additional youth opportunities
Middle Country Youth Civic Association

 631-835-3429

mcyouthcivic@yahoo.com

Middle & High schoolers

Selden Civic Association

https://seldencivic.org/

check website and join email list for updates on volunteer information

Selden Junior Fire Department

631-732-1234

14 years & older

Suffolk County Explorers

P.O. Murphy: keithg.murphy@suffolkcountyny.gov

P.O. K.Skippon: kathryn.skippon@suffolkcountyny.gov

14-20 years old

Town of Brookhaven Youth Bureau 

631-451-8011

11-18 years old

Ward Melville Heritage Youth Corps

631-751-2244

11-17 years old

 

Volunteering with Hospitals / Organizations

American Red Cross

youthservicesnyc@redcross.org 

12 years & older

 

American Littoral Society

Beach Clean Up 732-291-0055

info@littoralsociety.org

All ages with parent

Atria South Setauket

4089 Nesconset Highway

South Setauket, New York 11720

Karen Farrell 631-473-8000

16 years & older, go into the office to fill out an application.  *talents welcomed

Bethel Hobbs Community Farm

631-744-1556

online application

 11-18 years old  (11-13 with parent)

 

 Coastal Steward

631-941-6528

Varies

 

Green Belt Conference Trail (LI)

631-360-0753

email: ligreenbelt@verizon.net

Outdoor volunteering adventures

League of Yes

Kristine Fitzpatrick

631-278-6385

kristine@leagueofyes.com

11-18 years old (Spring & Fall Only)

Long Island Cares

631-582-3663

info@licares.org

14 years & older

 

Long Island Explorium

631-331-3277

Info@Longislandexplorium.Org

14 years & older

Long Island Veterans Home at Stony Brook 

631-444-8590

14 years & older

 

 Make-A-Wish Foundation of Suffolk County

631-585-9474 

18 years & older

Mather Hospital

Volunteer Center 631-476-2749

14 years & older

New York Blood Center
516-478-5164
volunteers@nybc.org
Ronald McDonald House of New Hyde Park & Stony Brook
516-775-5683
info@rmhcnym.org
Various ways
Special Olympics

 631-254-1465

13 – 16 years with parent, 16 years or old without a parent

The Social Brain

631-793-4311

online application

St. Charles Hospital

Volunteer Center 631-474-6251

online application

15 years & older

Stony Brook Hospital

Volunteer Center 631-444-2610

volunteerservices@stonybrookmedicine.edu

18 years & older (Email for updates with Junior Program 14+)

Sunshine Prevention Center

Carol Carter 631-476-3099

sunshinecenter@gmail.com

clean ups, food donations and more