Volunteers

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.

Student Volunteers 

School credit may be available to some high school and college volunteers. 

Student volunteers under the age of 16 may request a Kids for Kids project idea list. These projects, completed off site, provide great support to our children and their families.

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.

Hug & Hold - Volunteers hold, cuddle and comfort babies and toddlers.  Ages 18 and above.

Long-Term Care Unit -Volunteers visit children and adolescents between the ages of 3-19, one-on-one at the bedside reading, playing games,talking and doing other activities appropriate to the patients needs. They also assist in group recreational activities (games, crafts, holiday parties, etc.).  Ages 16 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. 

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.

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 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 or jdinzey@blythedale.org. 
 

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 emailed to jdinzey@blythedale.org or faxed to (914) 592-0407. If you prefer, please mail the application to:

Jabeen Dinzey, Director of 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.

Hear directly from our volunteers on what brings them back, year after year, to donate their time and talents at Blythedale Children's Hospital.