Community Engagement Volunteer (Outreach and Connections)

Community Engagement Volunteer (Outreach and Connections)

Hybrid | NYC-based | 6–12 hours/week (flexible)

Role Overview

Little Oaks Center for Neurodevelopment is seeking a Community Engagement Volunteer (Outreach and Connections) to help grow our presence across New York City. In this role, you'll build meaningful relationships with families, caregivers, neurodivergent individuals, and community organizations while helping us better understand the needs of the communities we serve.

This volunteer role focuses on community connection, relationship-building, and gathering real-time insights from families and caregivers. By showing up in community spaces, listening deeply, and sharing what you learn with our team, you'll help ensure our programs are shaped by the voices and experiences of the people we serve.

This is a high-touch, people-facing role, not an administrative or operational position. It is ideal for someone who enjoys building relationships, connecting people with resources, and strengthening communities through authentic engagement.

What You’ll Do (Core Responsibilities)

1. Community Presence & Relationship Building
   • Attend selected community events, caregiver gatherings, and neurodiversity-related meetups in NYC
   • Build authentic relationships with parents, caregivers, neurodivergent individuals, and local organizations
   • Serve as a welcoming, consistent presence for families in community spaces
2. Community Listening & Learning
   • Observe and note recurring needs, questions, and barriers families are facing
   • Share themes and insights with the Little Oaks team
   • Help ensure programming is responsive to real community needs (not assumptions)
3. Light Event Support (On-Site Only)
   • Support day-of presence at Little Oaks events and gatherings
   • Assist with participant experience (welcoming, flow support, accessibility awareness)
   • Help ensure events feel organized, calm, and supportive
4. Collaboration with Summer Volunteer
   • Coordinate informally with our Summer Programming Volunteer, who supports logistics and administrative execution
   • You focus on people + relationships + insight, while they focus on setup, tracking, and coordination tasks

What This Role Is NOT

To keep this role manageable and appropriate for a volunteer position, this role does NOT include:

• Managing email inboxes or organizational systems
• Maintaining resource databases or spreadsheets
• Scheduling or RSVP management
• Providing clinical, legal, educational, or therapeutic guidance
• Case management or family navigation services
• Formal program administration or operational oversight
• Acting as an official spokesperson for Little Oaks

What We’re Looking For

• Based in NYC and able to attend in-person events
• Comfortable engaging with families and community members
• Strong listener and relationship-builder
• Reliable and consistent in follow-through
• Interested in neurodiversity, education, wellness, or community-based work
• Able to work in early-stage, evolving environments

Helpful Background (Not Required)

• Community organizing, event support, or nonprofit experience
• Experience in caregiver-facing, education, or wellness settings
• Personal or professional familiarity with disability/neurodiversity communities

Time Commitment

• ~6–12 hours per week (flexible)
• Some evenings and weekends for events
• Hybrid with required NYC in-person engagement

Growth Path

This role may evolve into a paid Community or Program Lead role as Little Oaks expands.