Working Visits & Volunteering
Working Visits
Our working visit program is a great way to experience life at Kadampa Meditation Center New York and put your compassion into action.
In exchange for 35 hours of voluntary work, working visitors can receive dormitory accommodation and meals, as well as the opportunity to attend daily prayers and General Program classes held at KMC New York or offsite. Jobs vary depending on season and skills – assisting with meal preparation and cleanup, light housecleaning, accommodations preparation, office work, and light yard or garden work, are examples.
Note: Health insurance is a must. We will ask to see a driver’s license or other ID upon arrival and require emergency contact information as part of the application process.
How to apply for a working visit at KMC New York:
Please fill out a working visit application.
We will get back with you shortly to either confirm your working visit or to get more information. If you have any questions please email workingvisits@kadampanewyork.org or call (845) 856-9000.
Volunteering
KMC New York is a nonprofit organization that operates through the kindness of volunteers. By volunteering you will:
• be part of a joyful spiritual community
• be part of creating meaningful events
• find volunteer opportunities for all abilities and interests
Some ways you can offer to help: cooking, cleaning, maintenance work, sewing, gardening, graphic design… and much more! Whatever your skills, let us know and we will find an opportunity for you to help.
You are welcome to help out at any time, either when you have spare time or on a regular basis.
Kitchen Help needed
Join our Kitchen Team & Help Fuel Retreat
Kadampa Meditation Center New York is seeking dedicated volunteers to help us prepare delicious vegan and vegetarian meals for the below retreats.This is a wonderful way to get to take part in our retreats for free while also providing nurturing food for the retreat.
If you have kitchen experience, especially in chopping and food prep, we would love to have you on our team!
Retreats We Need Kitchen Help For:
July 6: Fun Fair (Community Event) – Arrival time Thursday July 4rth to be ready to work on Friday July 5th
July 12-16: Quieting the Mind: Silent Retreat – Arrival time Wednesday July 10th to be ready to work on Thursday July 11th
August 30-September 2: KMC NYC Country Retreat with Kadam Morten- Arrival time Wednesday August 28th to be ready to work on Thursday August 29th
October 11-15: Finding Stillness Within: Silent Retreat – Arrival time Wednesday Oct 9th to be ready to work on Thursday October 10th
November 15-20: The Three Principal Aspects of the Path Retreat with Gen Samten and Kadam Lucy – Arrival time Wednesday Nov 13th to be ready to work on Thursday Nov 14th
December 26-31: Maitreya Empowerment and Teachings on the Six Perfections with Gen Samten – Arrival time Tues Dec 24th to be ready to work on Wednesday Dec 25th
January 3-6, 2025: Silent Retreat with Gen Rigpa – Arrival time Wednesday January 1st to be ready to work on Thursday January 2nd
January 10-February 20, 2025: Six-Week Oral Instructions of Mahamudra Retreat with Gen Samten – Arrival time Wednesday January 8th to be ready to work on Thursday January 9th
**Please note: You would need to come by Wednesday before the retreat starts to help with food preparation. You can volunteer only for the duration of event itself or request to extend you volunteer visit If you want to stay longer you will have to request for it when you apply
Free attendance for the event you are volunteering for.
We will do our best to arrange your working time around the sessions, however you might have to miss one session from time to time to complete your task.
Free dorm accommodation and meals
Volunteer Responsibilities
As a kitchen volunteer, your primary tasks will include:
Food Preparation: Chopping vegetables, fruits, and other ingredients.
Meal Assembly: Assisting in the assembly of various dishes according to our recipes.
Kitchen Maintenance: Keeping the kitchen clean and organized, including washing dishes and sanitizing surfaces.
Team Collaboration: Working closely with our chef and other volunteers to ensure a smooth and efficient workflow.
What We’re Looking For
We are seeking volunteers who:
- Have some basic kitchen experience, particularly with chopping and food prep.
- Are enthusiastic about vegetarian and vegan cuisine and eager to learn more.
- Can commit to a regular volunteer schedule.
- Are team players with good communication skills.
- Have a positive attitude and a willingness to help wherever needed.
How to Apply
If you’re ready to join our team and contribute to a healthier, more compassionate community, please reach out to us! You can apply by filling out our volunteer application form here or by contacting our volunteer coordinator at workingvisits@kadampanewyork.org