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.
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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Voluntary Organisations
Cayman’s ARK - Acts of Random Kindness
Email: taranielsen@arkcayman.com
www.arkcayman.com
Tel: (345) 323 0719
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 disadvantaged families in Cayman. Programmes include CASA, which renovates homes in deplorable condition, Feed Cayman, which provides families with food at home and school, Re-Connect, which keeps families connected to power, water and temporary housing and MER (Mentor Educate Reinforce), an intensive academic remediation tutoring programme, focused on empowering students with learning difficulties from underprivileged homes. The Crisis Initiative provides immediate relief for uninsured families in a crisis due to a life-threatening or medical emergency or unexpected disaster.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Cayman Islands
Tel: (345) 923 2471 or (345) 325-9661
Email: info@bbbs.ky
www.bbbs.ky
Big Brother Big Sisters of the Cayman Islands (BBBS Cayman) is part of an international youth mentoring programme which serves boys and girls aged six to 14. Each child, known as a 'little', is matched with an adult mentor known as a 'big brother' or a 'big sister' who is at least 18 years old. The little and their big meet regularly, with professional support provided by BBBS Cayman staff. Bigs act as friends and role models for their littles, helping them achieve their greatest potential. BBBS Cayman always welcomes new bigs and littles.
Breast Cancer Foundation
Unit 19 Grand Harbour, Shamrock Road, GT
Tel: (345) 923 1135 or (345) 936 1135 or (345) 938 1135
Email: info@bcfcayman.com
www.breastcancerfoundation.ky
Created to support breast cancer patients and their families, the organisation provides help for those suffering both emotionally and/or financially. It offers 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 that aims to help such patients get through treatments with advice and support. Volunteers help with fundraising, caregiving, administrative support and spreading awareness.
Caring for Life Foundation
18 Forum Lane, 2nd Floor, Camana Bay
Tel: (345) 925 9240
www.caringforlifecayman.com
The mission of the Caring for Life Foundation is to continually build better healthcare for all residents of the Cayman Islands by raising funds to help healthcare providers purchase needed medical and diagnostic equipment, provide medical training, support research and development and assist with facility expansion. The Foundation also strives to continually attract and retain quality physicians, technicians and healthcare professionals to build better healthcare for all in Cayman.
Cayman AIDS Foundation
Tel: (345) 946 3029
Email: info@caf.ky
www.caf.ky
The Cayman AIDS Foundation is a community-based organisation that 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 2273 (CARE)
Email: info@caymancare.ky
www.caymancare.ky
CARE is a charitable company that promotes spaying and neutering as a humane solution to the overpopulation problem that currently exists in the community. Volunteers are always needed to assist with door-to-door campaigning, clinic transportation, fundraising and community dog washes. Donations are welcome.
Cayman Heart Fund
Tel: (345) 916 6324
Email: info@caymanheartfund.com
www.caymanheartfund.ky
Cayman Heart Fund is a non-profit dedicated to improving cardiovascular health for all in the Cayman Islands. This includes educating the public on heart disease and stroke prevention, encouraging fitness and good nutrition, delivering programs that lower obesity rates, and influencing policy and investments to support healthy lifestyles. They support access to important high-quality cardiovascular care through various programmes and initiatives such as CPR training, funding lifesaving medical equipment including Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), and financially assisting those in need of lifesaving treatment. They offer free wellness screenings to the public regardless of their status or insurance coverage, including tests for blood pressure, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, cholesterol and glucose.
Cayman Hope Foundation
Brent Hydes – Operations Manager
Tel: (345) 928 9099
www.caymanhopefoundation.carrd.co
Cayman is home to many people who suffer from addiction. The non-profit, non-governmental, non-denominational Hope For Today Foundation is a coalition of volunteers dedicated to helping and supporting recovering drug addicts and alcoholics through transition from prison or treatment to community life. Statistics have shown that ‘relapse” often occurs when an individual returns to the familiar environment where addiction had its origins. By establishing and operating alcohol and drug free transitional houses and campus within the community, the Hope Foundation programme provides a secure, safe and stable haven for individuals to gradually work their way back to a purposeful life. The Hope For Today Foundation endeavours to establish such a refuge through its Transitional Living Program. They use a three pronged approach to achieve this mission: 1) Provide a basic living area free of alcohol and drugs 2) Offer support that educates and enriches the client through a 12-step programme based lifestyle 3) Aid in the provision of life skills to facilitate independence and economic stability. To become involved with the Foundation, or to become a valued donor, please contact them! They cannot provide the vital services to individuals in need without your help.
Cayman Islands Cancer Society (CICS)
114 Maple Road (near Cayman Islands Hospital)
Tel: (345) 949 7618
Email: info@cics.ky
www.cics.ky
The Cayman Islands Cancer Society helps cancer patients in a variety of ways, including counselling, peer support, greeting cards designed by children, art therapy, hospital equipment and financial support for those who qualify. Contact them via email to become a volunteer and support them year-round. CICS relies on the time and skills of volunteers to help improve the lives of their clients and support cancer prevention efforts. Office hours are Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm and Friday 9am-12pm.
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 Cayman Islands Crisis Centre, like with the 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: info@caymanislandshumanesociety.com
www.caymanhumane.org
The Cayman Islands Humane Society rescues, protects, and finds loving families for Cayman’s homeless cats and dogs. They welcome volunteers with a wide range of skills; from helping in the thrift store or second hand book store, to helping with the animals, offering the benefit of professional expertise and helping to raise much needed funds to continue their work. Volunteers can offer anything from an hour a week walking dogs or socialising cats, to several days a week if they have the time.
Cayman Islands Mangrove Rangers
Tel: (345) 926 8621
Email: info@mangroverangers.ky
www.mangroverangers.ky
The Mangrove Rangers are an organisation that focuses on the protection of Cayman's mangrove forests. They work in partnership with the Department of Environment to collect data on the human impact on these natural areas and strive to educate and empower the community to understand the true value of these incredible ecosystems. Donations are welcome.
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 four main programmes of the Cayman Islands Red Cross are: disaster management, First Aid and aquatics, child protection and sexual education. They also have a thrift shop (see Shopping for more information). The CIRC 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.
Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI)
North Coast Road, Little Cayman
Tel: (345) 948 1094
Email: info@reefresearch.org
www.reefresearch.org
The Central Caribbean Marine Institute 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 fields. To date, they have planted 45sq metres of coral out to the wild and offered 1,500+ local scholarships to Cayman's youth.
Extended After School Programme (EASP)
Grand Cayman: (345) 922 2432
Cayman Brac: (345) 922 2449
Email: easp@ymcacayman.ky
www.ymcacayman.ky/easp
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
Feed Our Future supports children and families in need through access to nutritionally-balanced school meals or supplemental food. The primary goal is to help nourish at-risk school-age children so they can lead healthy and productive lives.
Jasmine Palliative & Hospice Care
31 Jasmine Blossom Way, West Bay Road (beside Coconut Joes)
Tel: (345) 945 7447
Email: info@jasmine.ky
www.jasmine.ky
Jasmine Palliative & Hospice Care provides free, dignified medical and emotional care to anyone in the Cayman Islands with a life-limiting or end-of-life illness. Its team of healthcare professionals specialise in treating pain and managing symptoms. Jasmine liaises with the patient’s own doctor to enhance quality of life for the patient and their loved ones. It also offers a range of supportive services from art therapy, therapeutic massage and a lunch club to counselling and bereavement support. Jasmine costs more than CI$2,000 per day to operate and is 90% funded by fundraising events and donations.
Jubilate
Cayman Islands Baptist Church, 163 Pedro Castle Road, Savannah
Email: info@jubilate.ky
www.jubilate.ky
Tel: (345) 526 8484
Jubilate is a social outreach afterschool programme with an emphasis on music, specifically, building an orchestra. Its vision is to make a positive social and spiritual change in the lives of children by inspiring them to become good citizens through disciplines learned at Jubilate. Volunteers are needed to help the Jubi Juniors with homework, reading, grammar and arithmetic. No music ability necessary! If you are interested in volunteering with Jubilate, please make contact for more information on how to get involved. In the interests of child safeguarding, all necessary background checks will be undertaken prior to starting.
LifeLine
Tel: (345) 547 8070
Email: info@lifeline.ky
www.lifeline.ky
LifeLine is a non-profit organisation focused primarily on creating and maintaining a national automated external defibrillator or AED database. This, with the Government's support, will help 911 operators identify the closest AED in the case of a cardiac emergency and also automatically contact first responders linked to a particular AED.
Literacy is for Everyone (LIFE)
Tel: (345) 328 3120
Email: volunteer@life.org.ky
www.life.org.ky
Registered non-profit, Literacy Is For Everyone (LIFE) is dedicated to raising literacy levels in Cayman and ensuring access to quality education for all. It is the largest donor of books to the public school system, with over 50,000 books donated and counting. LIFE offers a range of literacy intervention programmes in all government schools, like its signature paired reading programme matching volunteers with struggling readers and educational family engagement workshops. Its new early childhood programme, Thrive By Five, promotes the development of foundational literacy skills. To help support LIFE you can donate new or gently used children’s books by emailing books@life.org.ky, or you can become a LIFE volunteer by emailing: volunteer@life.org.ky.
Machine Learning Robotics by TechCayman
Tel: (345) 326 0148
Email: machinelearning@techcayman.com
The Machine Learning Robotics programme strives to expose youths aged 11+ to rudimentary mechanical engineering and programming fundamentals. It aspires to make these concepts both fun and accessible, potentially inspiring our young creators to continue onwards to further explore these fields to which they may have previously had limited exposure. During its free monthly weekend camps, each mentor is paired with two learners to build and program robots to autonomously navigate increasingly complex puzzles. Mentors welcome, no experience necessary! See Machine Learning Robotics on Instagram.
Meals on Wheels (MOW)
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 cost to the clients and delivered to their homes 52 weeks per year. This service supplies them with the assistance needed to retain their independence in their own homes for as long as possible. Meals are prepared in four community kitchens and delivered to over 300 persons each day in all five districts.
NCVO Children's Services
Tel: (345) 949 2124
Email: ncvo@ncvo.org.ky (Donations/Volunteer/Fundraisers/Events/Programmes Info)
Online donations to NCVO can be done year round at this website.
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/NCVOCaymanIslands
NCVO Children's Services is a registered non-profit organisation dedicated to the care, education and wellbeing of children and families in need of support. The NCVO runs several children’s programmes across the Island, including Miss Nadine's Preschool, Jack and Jill Nursery and the Nadine Andreas Residential Foster Home. The NCVO also runs a thrift store located on Anthony Drive (GT), which accepts donations of clothing, household items, children’s items and 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 NGCI hosts a variety of exhibitions annually featuring local and international artists’ work, as well as numerous community exhibitions. 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 a 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, children and adult classes and special events for members and fundraising projects. 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. 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
ODAAT 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 and 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 Miami, Tampa 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 has been supporting the youth and elderly for over 40 years. It is a service organisation whose members volunteer in various roles within the community. Their craft group meets on Tuesday mornings 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. There are many ways to be involved with the PLVC.
Prospect Red Bay Community Group
Email: PRBC345@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/PRBC345
This registered NPO is focused on bettering the community. It meets on the first Monday of the month at 7pm in 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 regarding policing, garbage collection, litter and landscaping etc. They have a very active WhatsApp group which you can ask to join. They also hold many neighbourhood events, including an annual Christmas Party that draws over 400 neighbours.
Volunteering to Support Prison Rehabilitation
Tel: (345) 640 3000
Volunteers assist in the provision of prison-based programmes and support 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 help people reach their God-given potential by putting Christian principles into practice in ways that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. With a focus on character development and value building, the YMCA is developing the potential of youth across the Cayman Islands through day camps, afterschool activities, sports leagues, and teen leadership programmes.