Volunteer opportunities in Essex County
14 opportunities
New Jersey Citizen Action
A statewide grassroots organization working on social, racial, and economic justice. Their work combines on-the-ground organizing, legislative advocacy, and electoral campaigns, so volunteering here means canvassing, phone banking, and community outreach. Because the work includes advocacy and electoral campaigning, most NJ districts will not count these hours toward a community service requirement. It is strong experience for understanding how policy and organizing actually work — just go in knowing the hours may not count. Call the Newark office to ask what volunteer roles are open and whether they take students your age.
Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center — Teen Volunteers
Teen volunteering at the Livingston hospital, open to high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors aged 15 to 18. Read this before applying: the program requires a full year commitment or longer, and there are no summer-only placements. If you want summer hours only, this is not the right program. To apply you call the Volunteer Resources Department for a brief phone interview and to be added to the waiting list — allow 2 to 3 business days for a return call.
Livingston Public Library — Teen Volunteers
Teen volunteering at the Livingston Public Library, open to students in grades 6 through 12. The library does not publish a full list of roles or an online application on its teen page — call the library to ask what is currently available and how to apply.
Essex County Environmental Center
The county's environmental education center in Roseland, on the Passaic River. Volunteers support environmental education programming, trail and grounds work, and seasonal public events. The Center does not publish a minimum volunteer age or a standing application form — call to ask what help they currently need and whether they take volunteers your age.
Essex County Turtle Back Zoo — VolunTEEN Program
VolunTEENs assist camp counselors with the Zoo's summer camp — preparing for daily sessions, helping campers with activities, and keeping groups together and safe on Zoo grounds. It is a good way to learn about the animals while earning hours. You must be at least 14, or entering grade 9 in the fall. Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors are welcome. You must commit to at least one full week over the summer, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm each day. The separate Docent program runs its own application cycle and the current class is closed.
Toni's Kitchen
A food ministry of St. Luke's Episcopal Church serving Montclair. Volunteers help with food prep, serving meals, packing healthy food bags, and assisting at Toni's Closet. Shifts run during the week and on weekends, and regular shifts are open to high school students and adults. Walk-in volunteers are not accepted — register through the volunteer portal and pick a shift first.
Greater Newark Conservancy
Urban farming and environmental education in Newark. Volunteers join seasonal farm and garden workdays, prep and maintain community garden plots, pack and distribute CSA boxes, and help at markets, festivals, and family days. No gardening experience is necessary — staff train you on site. Monthly open volunteer days run at the Urban Environmental Center, Court Street Farm, and Hawthorne Avenue Farm starting in April.
Montclair Public Library — Teen Volunteers
Teen volunteers help at the Main Library and the Bellevue Avenue branch. The library also runs monthly volunteer sessions from 4 to 6 p.m. that are open to teens across the Montclair area, and a Teen Volunteer Book Lists project that earns volunteer credit. Open to students in grades 7 through 12 who live or attend school in Montclair. The general Teen Volunteer Application and the Teen Advisory Board are both currently closed, but the monthly sessions and book list project still offer hours — email Youth Services to ask what is open.
Associated Humane Societies — Newark Shelter
Newark's animal shelter on Evergreen Avenue. Volunteering on the shelter floor with the animals requires you to be 18 or older, but there is a junior volunteer track for those 17 and under that does not involve handling animals directly. Call or email first to ask which junior roles are currently open before filling out an application.
Newark Public Library
Volunteers support the Main Library and neighborhood branches as homework helpers, literacy and computer tutors, English conversation partners for new Americans, activity assistants, and event help. Teens can earn up to 18 community service hours over the summer by helping students in grades K-3 practice their reading. Contact the Development Department to set up an appointment.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newark
Help build and repair homes alongside a construction foreman and site supervisor — painting, framing, insulating, hanging sheetrock, installing flooring, and landscaping. The minimum commitment is a single day, and you pick your dates from the volunteer calendar. Volunteers aged 16 and 17 may not use power tools and must be accompanied by an adult. A parental consent form is required for anyone under 18.
Clara Maass Medical Center
Teen volunteers at this Belleville hospital answer phones, assemble patient information folders, escort patients to and from physical and occupational therapy, guide same-day procedure patients to their areas, and act as a liaison between the recovery room and the family waiting room. Volunteers can also support seniors through the Hospital Elder Life Program. Most volunteers give at least 3 to 4 hours a week. You complete a teen application along with health and background screening forms, then interview with Volunteer Services.
Jersey Cares — Teen Service Events
Teen service events for ages 14 to 18 at the Jersey Cares office in Livingston. Volunteers complete a creative component, pack a kit that is donated to a local nonprofit partner, and take part in a round-table discussion about the project's impact. Jersey Cares also runs volunteer projects across New Jersey year-round through their opportunity calendar, many of which are open to ages 12 and up with adult supervision.
Bloomfield Public Library — Teen Volunteers
Teen volunteers straighten shelves, pack materials being sent to other libraries, and provide computer assistance to patrons. Open to students in grade 9 and up. Volunteers must be Bloomfield residents. You complete an application and meet with the Volunteer Services director before being accepted, and a parent or guardian signs a consent form. The program is popular — if no openings exist you can still apply and be kept on file.