In the Cayman Islands, we love to help each other and the community out. This section details the voluntary organisations in Cayman that you could become involved with.
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Cayman’s ARK - Acts of Random Kindness
Email: info@arkcayman.com
www.arkcayman.com
www.facebook.com/arkcayman
Cayman’s ARK is a registered non-profit, grassroots, charitable foundation founded in 2006. ARK’s aim is to improve the standard of living for under-privileged families with programmes such as CASA, which renovates homes in deplorable condition; Feed Cayman, which provides families with food at home and school; Re-Connect, which keeps families with power, water and also provides temporary housing. MER (Mentor Educate Reinforce) is an academic remediation tutoring program focused on empowering struggling students with learning disabilities from underprivileged homes. The Crisis Initiative provides financial aid for uninsured families with life threatening or medical emergencies and unexpected crisis.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Cayman Islands
Tel: (345) 923 2471 or Tel: (345) 325-9661
Email: startsomething@bbbs.ky
www.bbbs.ky
Volunteers are matched with children to create mentoring relationships, which provides children with the friendship and guidance of an adult. They are actively seeking new volunteers, especially for their ‘Big Brothers’ contingent.
Breast Cancer Foundation
Unit 19 Grand Harbour, Shamrock Road, GT
Tel: (345) 923 1135 or (345) 936 1135
Email: info@breastcancerfoundation.ky
www.breastcancerfoundation.ky
Created to support breast cancer patients and their families, the organisation provides help for those suffering both emotionally and/or financially. They offer an awareness programme aiming to save lives through early detection by teaching you how to be proactive about your health, and a Wellness Initiative programme which aims to help such patients get through treatments with advice and support. They are always looking for volunteers to help with fundraising, care giving, administrative support and spreading awareness.
Cayman AIDS Foundation
Tel: (345) 946 3029
Email: info@caf.ky
www.caf.ky
The Cayman AIDS Foundation is a community-based organisation which provides education on the danger of, helps prevent the spread of, and gives support and guidance to all people affected by HIV & AIDS and STIs.
CARE - Cayman Animal Rescue Enthusiasts
Tel: (345) 938 CARE (2273)
Email: info@caymancare.ky
www.caymancare.ky
A charitable company whose goal is to assist in the education of ‘spay and neuter’ within the community, as the humane solution to address the overpopulation problem that sadly exists. Volunteers are always needed to assist with door-to-door campaigning, clinic transportation, fundraising and community dog washes. Donations are always welcome.
Cayman Islands Cancer Society (CICS)
114 Maple Road (near Cayman Islands Hospital)
Tel: (345) 949 7618
Email: info@cics.ky
www.cics.ky
CICS receives no Government funding and relies solely on donations received from individuals and companies, as well as its community volunteers. CICS provides a variety of services, including a hospital equipment rental programme, counselling, art therapy and a free educational outreach programme. They offer a Charity Voucher Programme which provides patients who qualify, with free pap smear tests or mammograms and men with PSA blood tests (for prostate), mouth and throat cancer screening. Financial assistance is provided to qualified patients. You can donate magazines to those receiving chemotherapy by putting them in the white bin outside the CICS. Office hours are Monday-Friday 9am-4pm.
CI Crisis Centre Volunteer Programme
Tel: (345) 949 0366 ext.3
Email: volunteer@cicc.ky
Volunteers provide support for many of the programmes and services offered by the crisis centre such as our Emergency Shelter and TAYA programme, as well as support for fundraising, running errands and helping at the warehouse.
Cayman Islands Humane Society
153 North Sound Road, George Town
Tel: (345) 949 1461
Email: cihsshelter@candw.ky or info@caymanislandshumanesociety.com
www.caymanislandshumanesociety.com
Volunteers are always needed to work in four areas: the bookstore, thrift shop, animal shelter or in fundraising. They operate an excellent second-hand book store (Book Loft) and thrift shop (Claws-It). Donations are always needed.
Cayman Islands Red Cross (CIRC)
34 Huldah Ave, Opposite the Cricket Pitch, GT
Office: Cayman Corporate Center, GT.
Tel: (345) 949 6785
Email: director@redcross.org.ky
www.redcross.org.ky
The Cayman Islands Red Cross (CIRC) serves all three Islands. The four main programmes of the CIRC are: Disaster Management, First Aid & Aquatics, Child Protection, Sexual Education and the Thrift Shop (See the Shopping Chapter for more information). The CIRC trains volunteers to work within the communities, and works directly to empower communities through the training of Community Emergency Response Teams. The headquarters location also serves as a hurricane shelter and is usually the first to open when there is a threat to Grand Cayman. The CIRC is always in need of volunteers and donations to the cause.
Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI)
North Coast Road, Little Cayman
Tel: (345) 948 1094
Email: info@reefresearch.org
www.reefresearch.org
CCMI was founded in 1998 to protect the future of coral reefs through research, conservation, and education. CCMI researchers have provided 20 years of baseline data on both coral reefs and fish, published over 100 scientific papers and supported 18 MS and PHD researchers to become leaders in their field.
Extended After School Programme (EASP)
John Gray (JGHS) Tel: (345) 925 9261
Clifton Hunter (CHHS) Tel: (345) 922 2448
Layman E. Scott LSHS Tel: (345) 922 2449
The Extended Afterschool Programme is conducted by the YMCA of the Cayman Islands. The programme takes place from 3pm-6pm daily during the academic year. Their mission is to help people reach their God-given potential by putting Christian principles into practice. Students take part in a variety of activities such as sports, homework and games, cadets, and even art and digital media. For more information, visit www.ymcacayman.ky/easp or contact one of the school representatives above.
Feed Our Future
Tel: (345) 916 0923
Email: info@feedourfuturecayman.org
www.feedourfuturecayman.org
For many children in Cayman, a school meal is the only proper meal they will receive the entire day. Through their school meal programme Feed our Future seeks to find nutritionally-balanced school meals for children in need. The goal to help nourish at risk school-age children by providing regular and dependable access to healthy meals so that they can lead healthy and productive lives. Feed Our Future’s programmes also include a summer food programme and wellness and life skills workshops focused on healthy cooking and shopping on a budget.
Have a Heart Cayman
www.facebook.com/haveaheartcayman
Have a Heart is a non-profit association that facilitates and funds life-saving cardiac procedures for children worldwide in a state-of-the-art, world-class hospital in the Cayman Islands. Every cent raised by Have a Heart goes directly to the delivery of health care for children.
Jasmine
West Bay Road (beside Coconut Joes), SMB
Tel: (345) 945 7447
Email: info@jasmine.ky
www.jasmine.ky
Jasmine is the only non-profit organisation dedicated to providing dignified medical and emotional compassionate care, free of charge, to anyone in the Cayman Islands with a life-limiting or end of life illness. Their team of healthcare professionals specialise in treating pain and managing symptoms. They liaise with the patient’s own doctor to enhance quality of life for the patient and their loved ones. Holistic care is important, so they offer a range of supportive services from art therapy. therapeutic massage, a lunch club, counselling and bereavement support. Jasmine costs more than CI$1,800 per day to operate and is 90% funded by fundraising events and donations. To get support from the Jasmine care team or to support their organisation (donate or volunteer) visit their website or call (345) 945 7447.
LifeLine
Tel: (345) 547 8070
Email: info@lifeline.ky
www.lifeline.ky
LifeLine is a non-profit organisation founded in 2020 which focuses primarily on the creation and maintenance of a national database of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) that, with Government's support and partnership, will permit 911 operators to identify the closest AED in the case of a cardiac emergency and also automatically contact First Responders linked to a particular AED. LifeLine is always looking for volunteers to join their LifeForce programme which involves bi-annual visits to check on the AEDs, ensuring that the information on the database is still accurate. For further information on how LifeLine is working to improve the cardiac arrest survival rates in our community, please visit their website or find them on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Literacy is for Everyone (LIFE)
Tel: (345) 328 3120
Email: volunteer@life.org.ky
www.life.org.ky
Independent, not-for-profit organisation, Literacy Is For Everyone (LIFE), works alongside government, local schools, and educators to advocate for quality education for all, and to provide LIFE-changing resources and volunteer power to positively impact and significantly improve literacy levels. LIFE is the largest donor of books into the public school system with 43,000 books donated, and counting. Their programmes include Paired Reading, where specially trained volunteers read with struggling readers for 30 minutes each week; Partners in Print, which offers parents and caregivers tips and tricks to support literacy within the home; Education for Everyone, a collaborative initiative providing laptops to close the digital divide; and Thrive By Five, LIFE’s latest early childhood literacy programme, targeting the development of foundational literacy skills in the 0-5 age group. To donate or volunteer please email them. For further information on any of LIFE’s transformative programmes, call (345) 925 2740, visit their website or find them on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. You can donate gently used or new books by emailing: books@life.org.ky. Volunteers are always needed to help with projects, fundraise, or to read with children.
Meals on Wheels
Tel: (345) 769 1974 or (345) 546 8886
Email: info@mealsonwheels.ky
www.mealsonwheels.ky
www.pledgeasenior.com
Meals on Wheels (MOW) provides daily, hot, nutritious meals & hearty soups to seniors, homebound and disabled persons throughout Grand Cayman. Meals are provided free of charge to the clients, and delivered to their homes, 52 weeks per year. Meals are prepared in 4 community kitchens and delivered to over 300 persons each day in all 5 districts. This service supplies them with the assistance needed to retain their independence in their own homes for as long as possible. They welcome all who wish to help support the cause by donating funds ($5 for one hot meal and hearty soup), donating time through volunteering to deliver meals or organising fundraisers and referring a senior you know is in need.
Children Services Programmes - National Children's Voluntary Organisation (NCVO)
Tel: (345) 949 2124
Donations/Volunteer/Fundraisers/Events/Programmes Info Email: ncvo@ncvo.org.ky
Online donations to NCVO can be done year round at this website.
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/NCVOCaymanIslands
The NCVO is a registered non-profit organisation dedicated to the care, education and well–being of children and families in need of support. The NCVO runs several children’s programmes to support The Nadine Andreas Residential Foster Home, Jack and Jill Nursery, and Miss Nadine’s Preschool. The NCVO also runs a thrift store: "New to You, by NCVO" thrift store on Anthony Drive (GT), which accepts donations of gently used clothing and accessories, lightly used household items, children’s items, and some furniture.
National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (NGCI)
Esterley Tibbetts Highway, near Camana Bay
Tel: (345) 945 8111
Email: info@nationalgallery.org.ky
www.nationalgallery.org.ky
The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands hosts a variety of exhibitions annually featuring local and international artists’ work as well as numerous community exhibitions both at their central facility in Grand Cayman and satellite venues in the Sister Islands. The main facility is a 9,000sq ft space with three exhibition galleries, plus an art library, lecture theatre, walking labyrinth, sculpture gardens, cafe and gift shop. The Gallery also houses the permanent art collection, which traces the Island’s art history through the work of over 100 artists. The NGCI runs a series of outreach programmes, adult courses, children’s classes, special events for members and fundraising projects. New volunteers and members are welcome.
National Trust of the Cayman Islands
558A South Church Street (Dart Family Park)
Tel: (345) 749 1121
Email: membership@nationaltrust.org.ky
www.nationaltrust.org.ky
The National Trust owns and protects more than 3,000 acres of nature reserves, as well as owning, leasing or managing various historic properties on the three Islands. They offer monthly activities that teach a great deal about the Cayman Islands.
One Dog at a Time (ODAAT)
Tel: (345) 917 8284
Email: info@ODAAT.ky
www.odaat.ky
One Dog at a Time is a charity that was created to rescue and rehouse dogs and puppies. They raise funds for dogs they pull from the pound (where they are likely to be euthanised), provide the required treatments, house and feed them. ODAAT aim to find permanent homes for dogs and, when necessary, pay for them to be flown to rescue partners in Tampa, New York and Toronto. They welcome volunteers, donations and sponsorship for individual dogs.
Pink Ladies Volunteer Corps (PLVC)
Tel: (345) 925 5021
Email: pinkladiescayman@gmail.com
The PLVC is a service organisation whose members volunteer in various roles within the community. Their craft group meets on Tuesday mornings throughout the year at the South Sound Dart Park. Their major fundraising event, the Christmas Bazaar, traditionally opens the holiday season and features a delicious tea, market stalls, crafts, plant sales, entertainment and children’s activities. Funds raised by the PLVC benefit community projects. The PLVC are always looking for new members and there are many ways to be involved.
Prospect Red Bay Community Group
Email: PRBC345@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/PRBC345
The Prospect Red Bay Community Group meets on the first Monday of the month at 7pm in the Seafarer’s Hall on Victory Avenue, Prospect. All residents of Prospect and Red Bay are welcome to attend. There is always a lively discussion on what is happening in the community in regard to policing, garbage collection, litter, landscaping and improvements. They have a very active WhatsApp group which you can ask to join if you reside in the area. They also hold many neighbourhood events, including an annual Christmas Party that draws over 400 neighbours.
Volunteering to Support Prison Rehabilitation
Contact: Ms. Aduke Natalie Joseph-Caesar
Tel: (345) 925 8663 or (345) 640 3000
Volunteers assist in the provision of prison-based programmes and supporting the prisoners’ integration back into society.
YMCA of the Cayman Islands
Tel: (345) 926 9622
www.ymcacayman.ky
The YMCA is a charitable, cause-driven, non-profit organisation that aims to strengthen the community. Operations are directed by their corporate staff; a group of experienced, highly qualified and motivated people. They are also assisted by passionate staff members and a group of committed volunteers.
Resilience Cayman
Tel: (345) 333 1010
www.resilience.ky
Resilience Cayman was formed in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to address the immediate and long term issue of food insecurity for many of Cayman's residents. In their first 6 months of operation, they provided food assistance for 3,000 individuals and families on Island. They have since expanded their programme offerings, to include financial coaching and support, youth leadership and work experience opportunities and are developing an online farmers' market to facilitate the direct sales of local produce between farmers and residents.
Donating Second-Hand Itemskeyboard_arrow_right
Whilst Cayman's charities always value volunteers, they also appreciate donations. Donating your items to charity is a great way to repurpose unwanted items and aid the community. If you are looking to donate your second-hand or gently used items, check out our guide with all of the details.
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