Team Building Experiences

Groups are welcome to volunteer at Concrete Safaris from April through December. Here are opportunities for community and corporate groups to make your mark with community service. Thank you in advance for your support.

CORPORATE GROUPS

Volunteer At Your Office - In Person or Virtually

Do you work in Healthcare, Media, Business, or Construction? Host children (ages 7-12) or youth (ages 14-24) for educational field trips about the world of work at your office. Conduct mock interviews, provide constructive feedback on resumes, and share how you got into your field and the breadth of opportunities available.

Commitment

    • 10+ Volunteers
    • Tour of your office or work space
    • Point person at your company to help facilitate event and recruit volunteers
    • Snacks are optional, and appreciated

A Site Visit To Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

A group of Concrete Safaris' interns came to a classroom at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai to hear a talk by Ashley Gilbertson, a renowned photographer who has done freelance assignments for the Mount Sinai Health System. Mr. Gilbertson is an Australian photographer and writer living in New York City, recognized for his critical eye and unique approach to social issues.  
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His presentation included photography from his recent book, Coronavirus in NYC, as well as photographs taken in a Mount Sinai Emergency Department during COVID-19, and photography for Mount Sinai’s recent ad campaign, We Find a Way. Questions about the ethics of street photography, as well as protocols for shooting in a hospital were discussed with the interns.

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"I found the kids to be amazing. Once we got past the initial awkward greetings and all that, we quickly got into a really thoughtful conversation - they ended up asking more thoughtful and certainly more piercing questions than classes of adults I’ve taught over the years. Personally, I was inspired by their spirit, and hope to see them in the field one day, jostling for a good spot at the press conference!" - Ashley Gilbertson, Photographer

Virtual Talent Teams Needed

We're seeking assistance from small teams on a variety of skilled projects, including construction, real estate, finance, evaluation, event planning, and fund development. Does your team have the talents, time, and commitment to serve? Email info@concretesafaris.org.

In East Harlem

Sponsor a Green Exercise Day

Did you know that 3 elementary schools within 6-blocks of Concrete Safaris' gardens have no science teachers for over 1,200 students? Our in-person mentoring is on pause. There are other ways you can support local youth. Sponsor an outdoor educational experience serving 2nd-5th graders in East Harlem so that their classes can visit our gardens on a regular basis, completing team building games and 25-minute modules of gardening, urbanism, environmental health science, and fitness. Or, volunteer on-site with your team. You will learn about the neighborhood, plant organic food for our neighbors to supplement their diets, and complete construction, painting, and maintenance projects.  Work with our team to develop a custom event so that East Harlem children and youth can use CS' gardens as their science labs.

Get Active With JungleGym 2023

At Concrete Safaris' JungleGym 2023, East Harlem children and their families will race through a 20-Obstacle Challenge and enjoy an Active Living Fair spanning commercial corridors, residential blocks, and school yards in East Harlem. East Harlem youth will help build the obstacles. Elementary school children will meet with Community Board 11 to secure permits and street closures. Concrete Safaris' Outdoor Leadership Academy Interns and volunteers have historically facilitated these family events in the summer, and this year volunteers will serve schools celebrating our 10th annual event series and 16th year. Local organizations will offer fun activities and information on healthy, local programs.

Sponsor

Sponsor JungleGym on streets in East Harlem's commercial corridors or NYCHA developments, or in school yards.

Donate In-Kind 

Make JungleGym extra special with the gift of supplies, swag, or support for our volunteers and staff.

Corporate Volunteerism FAQ

SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, CIVIC GROUPS, & FRIENDS

Get outdoors and active while helping to maintain CS' educational gardens. Activities may include:

Seasonal garden maintenance activities like planting, path creation, raking leaves, wheelbarrowing, shoveling topsoil and compost

Picking up trash

Garden-related construction

Community Group Volunteerism FAQ

Neighbors Serving Neighbors With Outdoor Play & Fun

Lead An Activity 

Non-profits and schools are invited to offer programming on the streets of East Harlem at one of our many events.

Celebrate School

DOE School Administrators, let's partner to bring JungleGym to your Back-to-School or End-of-Year Celebrations.

Co-Host Family Day

NYCHA Tenants' Associations in East Harlem, let's partner to bring JungleGym to your Family Day.

JungleGym FAQ

Our Impact

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