NYU Move-In Guide Part Three: Local Nonprofits

This Brooklyn-based nonprofit presents projects by interdisciplinary artists that stimulate critical dialogue in the broader community. Rena Anakwe, an interdisciplinary artist who was an ISSUE artist in residence, recalls, “It was a turning point in my artistic practice. It was the first time I was given space to work, time to work, and support in a way that I felt really empowered.”

The Washington Square Association is a volunteer-run organization that provides free events to the neighborhood. For over 100 years, it has celebrated the diversity of Washington Square Park, both seeing and creating historic moments.

“We maintain and improve the character and culture of Washington Square Park,” explains Erika Sumner. She’s the vice president of the Washington Square Association. “The work we do is about making sure that this park is accessible for everyone who comes here.”

In addition to the organizations above, many NYU students give back to their communities by volunteering. For example, here are a few nonprofits they’ve supported and loved:

“As someone passionate about working with youth, I really admire the Fresh Air Fund’s mission to provide enriching summer experiences for New York City kids. Their work is especially important for children who might not otherwise get out of the city.” —Pei Lin Lu, Childhood Education and Childhood Special Education, NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development

“I’m very passionate about the environment. Because of this, I’ve volunteered with NYC Parks GreenThumb, The Bronx is Blooming, and Big Reuse. All these experiences allowed me to support local communities and discover parts of New York City I might not have seen otherwise.”—Agnese Salvatico, environmental studies and education concentration, NYU Gallatin School of Individualized Study

“One local nonprofit that I admire is The Clemente. It’s an arts event and community space for Latinx individuals. And it’s only about 20 minutes away from the Lipton Residence Hall! Additionally, it’s named after a Puerto Rican poet, journalist, and activist Clemente Soto Vélez.” —Jade Ramirez, Interactive Media Arts, NYU Tisch School of the Arts

“I have held internships at many nonprofits in the city. First, The Door is a youth development center in SoHo. Also, I’ve interned with Safe Horizon and the 16 Strong Project, a nonprofit centered around educating youth on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and advocating for their continued mental health awareness and resilience.” —Avery Appling, Social Work with a minor in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies, NYU Silver School of Social Work

“The College Student Pantry is in the East Village. With an appointment, any college student can go by and pick up groceries. Specifically, I appreciate that they run on a no-questions-asked basis, which helps to remove stigma and assumptions. Furthermore, you can volunteer with them. They’re open every other Wednesday. They also have feminine hygiene products and personal cleanliness products for students to take. Overall, it’s a great addition to an already generous pantry.” —Hannan Abraham, Childhood Education and Childhood Special Education, NYU Steinhardt

Local nonprofits are a great way to get involved, meet new people, and make a difference in your community. And there’s so much more to discover near NYU’s campuses. From restaurants and gyms to hardware stores and grocery stores, the neighborhoods surrounding NYU have it all. With this in mind, our friends at NYU Community Engagement have curated neighborhood guides to help you find exactly what you’re looking for. So, get out there and experience it yourself!