Start at Ronald McDonald House New York
If you’ve ever typed the phrase “Where can I volunteer in NYC to help families in need?” into your search bar, welcome. You’re one of the good ones and we are so glad you found us. Maybe you’ve just been promoted to “Fun Aunt” or “Favorite Uncle” and you want to give back. Maybe you’re a corporate team manager looking for a way your team can give back beyond the tips you’ll leave at next week’s Wednesday Happy Hour. Or maybe you’re someone who simply understands that life is better and more fulfilling when we help one another.
Volunteers from Skyline Access celebrate National Superhero Day with kids from the House.
Whatever brought you here, there’s one organization that stands out and answers that question you typed in your search engine. There’s one name that provides 360-degree wraparound support for families in need, and it should be the first one on your list.
Ronald McDonald House New York.
That’s the answer. Full stop. And here's why.
What Is Ronald McDonald House New York?
Ronald McDonald House New York (RMH-NY) sits quietly on East 73rd Street, in the heart of Manhattan’s Upper East Side, providing compassion and a roof and four walls for families facing pediatric cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. But it’s more than just a place where families stay.
RMH-NY is a sanctuary, a place of relief and resilience, where caregivers are surrounded by community while their children receive medical treatment at world-renowned NYC hospitals. It’s a home filled with volunteers, staff, and supporters who are fiercely dedicated to one goal: making sure no family faces their child’s illness alone.
Volunteers here don’t just “help out”; they become part of a team that actively supports the physical, emotional, and logistical needs of families from around the world and right here in the five boroughs.
Volunteers in costume visit our families during dinner.
So…Why Volunteer at RMH-NY?
Because this place is different. You’ll feel it the second you walk through the doors.
Yes, there are warm meals, clean beds, and laundry rooms on every floor where Mom disappears with a mountain of dirty clothes and reappears with crisp, freshly folded clothing before their kid’s favorite movie is over. But there’s also a sense of mission—a heartbeat—that you become part of when you give your time to ‘the House’ (that’s what everyone calls it on the inside).
Here’s what makes Ronald McDonald House New York truly stand out:
Impact You Can See:
Whether you're serving dinner or simply smiling at a parent in the elevator, your presence has immediate emotional value.
Diverse Roles to Fit Any Schedule:
From creative workshops to handing out goodies and treats to families at partnering hospitals through our hospitality cart program, there are opportunities for introverts, extroverts, night owls, and weekend warriors.
A Front-Row Seat to Courage:
You will meet some of the most resilient, brave, and loving people you’ve ever known. And they will change your life forever.
Dylan's Dream Team from Long Island sponsors the ice cream in the lobby. It's a huge hit year round.
Volunteer Programs That Make a Real Difference
No matter what your talents are; yes, even if your only skill is being able to bake exactly 17 evenly sized oatmeal raisin cookies, you’ll find a place to thrive here.
1. House Volunteers
These are the day-to-day superheroes. House volunteers help maintain the warmth of RMH-NY by greeting families, organizing pantry supplies, cleaning common areas, assisting with mail and deliveries, and helping wherever the need arises. They are the eyes and ears of the House and the first smiling face many families see when they arrive.
Time Commitment: 3 times per month for a minimum of one year
Location: 405 East 73rd Street, Manhattan, NYC
Perks of the Job:
- Ongoing interactions with our amazing families
- If you live on the Upper East Side, then it’s just a walk away from home.
- Get to know other locals just like you that give their time for the benefit of others. New friends, yay!
2. Meal Program – “Meals from the Heart”
Families are often returning from long days at the hospital. A hot meal cooked with love can feel like a five-star dining experience when you’ve spent 12 hours in a waiting room. Volunteers help to prep and serve dinners in the communal kitchen, offering nourishment in every sense of the word.
Perks of the Gig:
- Ideal for: Corporate groups, families, and aspiring chefs; Team-building exercises on steroids
- Weeknight and weekend options; both lunch and dinner options
- Food safety training provided; learn a new skill
Our guest chef serves all of the families.
Secrets of the House: Guest Chef
On Guest Chef nights at Ronald McDonald House New York, the kitchen fills with the warmth of simmering garlic, softening onions, and fresh herbs pressed gently under a child’s palm. The Meals Program team and partners at Rcano Catering guide each young chef as they design a menu that reflects something personal—a flavor from home, a dish tied to memory, or simply a favorite treat that sparks joy. The room shifts when a child steps into that role; volunteers lean closer, families linger near the doorway, and the aroma of the meal becomes its own kind of emotional support, wrapping the House in comfort and connection. It is family centered care expressed through food, a reminder that in the midst of pediatric cancer treatments and long days at Memorial Sloan Kettering, moments of choice and creativity still matter.
When the meal is ready, the chef’s hat goes on—tilted, oversized, often slipping over small ears—and the child beams as their picture goes up on the wall. Standing on tiptoe, they hand out plate after plate, serving their curated dinner to families who know exactly how much courage and heart are behind each scoop. The scene is a quiet yet powerful expression of compassionate and holistic care, softening health disparities by creating a shared table where everyone feels seen. And truly: once you’ve watched a six-year-old offering their favorite food from home to every family in the House, barely able to reach the serving spoon but determined to serve it up to all, you would never miss another Guest Chef night again.
Our guest chef poses for a picture with our volunteers serving her meal.
3. Hospital Family Room Volunteers
RMH-NY’s footprint goes far beyond East 73rd Street. In Brooklyn’s Kings County and Queens’ Elmhurst Hospital, the Ronald McDonald Family Rooms offer a quiet space for parents and caregivers just steps away from their child’s hospital bed.
Volunteers help families take a breath—offering coffee, snacks, activity kits, or even just a comfortable seat and a kind word.
The team of volunteers and staff in the family room at King's County Hospital.
Perks of the Gig:
- Flexible shifts during hospital visiting hours
- Locations: NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, Kings County, and Metropolitan Hospital on East 96th street; Montefiore-Einstein Hospital in the Bronx
- Especially suited for those who want to support underserved local NYC families
Do you want to volunteer to serve families, but you live in a different borough far from East 73rd Street?
Volunteering in our Ronald McDonald Family Rooms is the perfect answer. Ronald McDonald House New York now has Family Rooms inside hospitals in four of the five boroughs of NYC. So, no matter where you live in the city, a volunteering opportunity with RMH-NY is close to you.
4. Hospitality Carts
Think of these as mobile joy delivery systems. Hospitality carts roll through pediatric floors of local hospital partners like Hospital for Special Surgery or Cornell Weill Hospital bringing goodies, toys, snacks, and smiles to young patients and their caregivers. If you’ve ever wanted to be the human version of an overstuffed holiday stocking, this is your time to shine.
A child at King's County watches the Musical Magic Entertainment while enjoying the hospitality of the RMH-NY hospitality cart.
Perks of the Gig:
- Ideal for volunteers who enjoy interacting with children and families
- Training provided, but working autonomously is usually the norm
- Practice the language you are currently refining on Duolingo. Spanish and other language skills are a plus in family rooms!
5. Event Support and Fundraising
If planning is your passion, and your spreadsheets are color-coded (we see you), RMH-NY’s volunteer team can use your skills. From 5K runs to formal galas to community dinners, volunteers are critical to these efforts that fuel the House’s ability to serve more families.
The team of volunteers who rode for the House in the 5 Boro Bike Tour.
Perks of the Gig:
- Invites to fancy, fun dinners and events in Central Park where four-year-olds run their version of a 5k (and it’s as cute as it sounds!)
- Great for college students, corporate teams, and creative thinkers
Real People. Real Change.
You won’t find stale charity here. You’ll find Natalie, a mother from Forest Hills, who leaned on volunteers in the Ronald McDonald Family Room while her newborn Marcellus underwent treatment at Elmhurst Hospital in Queens. You’ll meet Neil, a finance professional who found community serving dinner every Tuesday night at the House on East 73rd Street. You’ll also run into Sotirika, a member of the House’s Volunteer Team whose passion for every applicant is only matched by her encyclopedic knowledge of Family Room volunteer scheduling best practices.
Everyone you meet volunteering with RMH-NY has one thing in common: a heart for serving families in need. That is enough to create bonds that last a lifetime.
What’s Expected of Volunteers?
A Corporate volunteer team working on a Helping Hands project in their office.
RMH-NY deeply values consistency. Families rely on the warm rhythm of volunteers’ smiles and routines, so the House asks that most volunteers commit to:
- Commitment of at least three shifts a month
- Commitment to a full year of volunteering
- A brief training and background check
Of course, for special events and group programs, the time commitment may be more flexible. But for those in ongoing roles, being reliable is essential—not just for operations, but for the relationships that blossom with time.
What If I Can’t Volunteer Long-Term?
Great question. You can still:
- Donate wish list items like toiletries, non-perishable snacks, and toys
- Start a fundraiser at your school, office, or for your friend group.
- Sponsor a meal even if you can't cook it.
- Follow RMH-NY on social media and amplify the mission.
- Spread the word: Now that you know the answer to “Where can I volunteer in NYC to help families in need?”—tell everyone you know!
Hot Dog from the FDNY, incredible volunteer partners of the House, visited the families during our annual Miracle on 73rd street event.
The Bigger Picture: Building Health Equity
Ronald McDonald House New York isn’t just about housing. It’s about health equity. It's about making sure every child—no matter their background, zip code, or diagnosis—has a fair shot at good healthcare with their family by their side.
By volunteering, you’re helping create that equity. You’re offering the one thing every parent needs more than anything else when facing the unthinkable: support.
Ray Tierney, a member of the Board of Trustees helps Adam with his sand art project.
Secrets of the House: The Skills-Based Volunteer
Are you the kind of person who proudly announces, “Don’t worry, I can fix that”? Do you take photos so good your friends accuse you of using sorcery? Do you secretly enjoy the meditative thrill of a well-organized spreadsheet?
Perfect—Ronald McDonald House New York has been looking for you. Our families love Monthly Family Portrait Day, when they get to dress up, strike a pose, and create joyful memories in the middle of some very tough moments. Photographers are always in high demand, especially the kind who can coax a smile from a toddler determined to wiggle out of frame. And if your talents lean more toward technology, software, or anything with buttons, wires, or “updates available,” buckle up—we’ve got projects that will make your inner tech wizard positively glow.
As a not-for-profit organization, RMH-NY runs on compassion, humor, and the steady heroics of people who show up for an hour or two each week and make life easier for families navigating pediatric cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Your skill—yes, that one you’re thinking of—is needed more than you know. Tell us what you love to do, what you’re weirdly good at, or what hobby your friends beg you to monetize, and we’ll find the perfect spot for you. Your talent could make a real difference here… and we promise to cheer you on every step of the way.
A member of the corporate volunteer team from Bloomberg give Lego advice.
The Volunteer Professionals at RMH-NY
The volunteer team at the House, led by the incomparable Caitlin Conklin, sets the gold standard for what it means to welcome, train, and support every volunteer who steps through our doors on East 73rd Street. Under their watch, we have brought on an impressive 165 new volunteers across the House, our Family Rooms, and the hospitality carts stationed throughout our hospital partners across New York City. If there were a master class in volunteer management, this team would be teaching it (and probably rewriting the syllabus).
Beyond recruiting, training, and cheering on our volunteers, this powerhouse crew also orchestrates key fundraising events each year and oversees the entire meals program for the House. Simply put, they do it all and they make it look effortless. Any volunteer would be lucky to be guided by a team this talented, dedicated, and delightfully unflappable.
The Volunteer Team enjoying a night out at a Mets Game promoting the House.
Ready to Help? Let’s Get Started
Here’s what you can do next:
- Visit www.rmh-newyork.org
- Click “Volunteer”
- Fill out a short form
- Get matched with a role that fits your skills, availability, and heart
Yes, your heart matters most.
The Final Word (and Yes, We’re Biased)
If you’re still wondering where you can volunteer in NYC to help families in need, we’ll say it louder for the folks in the back:
Ronald McDonald House New York.
Here, compassion meets action. Laughter is encouraged. Tears are understood. And your time? It becomes part of someone’s healing journey.
So come as you are. We’re saving an apron and a smile just for you.
Our Youth Advisory Council is filled with high school aged volunteers who serve meals to families and raise money for the House throughout each school year.
Title photograph: Yonkers Fire Department makes 4th of July a blast for the families every year with a legendary cookout on our 3rd floor terrace.
