Take action in New York City!

Not quite ready to head off for an international volunteering adventure?  Still searching for resources that will help you decide what kind of volunteer project you may want to participate in?

In addition to Idealist, there are lots of great organizations working to connect people with resources in order to make the world a better place.  Recently, we were in New York City and had the chance to stop by the Mercy Corps Action Center. Mercy Corps is a charity that focuses on empowering individuals and communities around the world. In addition to being a huge help in responding to emergencies across the globe, Mercy Corps works hard to alleviate hunger and poverty.

About a year ago, Mercy Corps extended their reach by opening up their first Action Center in New York City.  It’s a space where – through a variety of interactive experiences – visitors can learn about the different kinds of need that exist around the world. After having taken in a bunch of information, visitors have the opportunity to commit to an action – big or small – in order to be a part of positive change. How convenient is that?

We carved out a couple of hours to visit the center and were glad that we made it a part of our time in the city.  Feeling all inspired by the new things we had learned, we committed to several actions before heading back out into the hustle and bustle of the city.

If you’re planning to be in New York City, be sure to take some time to stop by.  It’s a welcome break from the madness. Also, they’ve recently opened up an Action Center in Portland, OR for those of you on the west side of the country.

If you’re not traveling but are in the market for some inspiration and/or information, take a look at the online version of the Action Center.  You’ll find plenty of resources regarding lending a hand in many South American countries.

As Mercy Corps says: Learn. Train. Take action. Make a difference.