Mayor Mamdani Launches Summer Welcome Corps to Welcome the World to NYC

 

First-of-its-kind volunteer partnership will mobilize New Yorkers across all five boroughs to assist millions of visitors during FIFA World Cup 2026™, America250 and Sail4th 250  

 

No experience necessary — individuals 18 years and up can sign up online  

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani today announced the launch of the NYC Summer Welcome Corps, a first-of-its-kind volunteer partnership between NYC Service, New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) and New York Cares that will deploy volunteers at high-traffic locations citywide to welcome and assist the millions of visitors expected during a historic summer of sports events and celebrations.  

  

No prior experience is required to serve in the Summer Welcome Corps. Individuals must be 18 years or older and successfully complete a background check to participate. Volunteers commit a few hours of their time and a readiness to help. Once deployed, they will give directions and help visitors navigate the city, point the way to shade and water during periods of heat, support visitors with accessibility needs and look out for one another’s safety throughout each shift.   

 

Individuals interested in volunteering with the Summer Welcome Corps can sign up at https://www.nycservice.org/welcomecorps to support events throughout the summer.  

  

“For New Yorkers, this is light work — we’re used to pointing visitors to the nearest subway station or answering questions from the millions of people who visit our beautiful city every year. But this summer, we’re supercharging our efforts by launching the NYC Summer Welcome Corps, a first-of-its-kind partnership to welcome the world to our five boroughs,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Whether you grew up here or recently made the decision to call NYC your home, all New Yorkers are welcome to sign up and be a part of this historic summer.”     

  

“As the summer brings back-to-back historic events, we are excited to launch the Summer Welcome Corps, which will allow New Yorkers to volunteer a helping hand to connect and support the millions of visitors expected in our city,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. “In partnership with NYC Service, NYCEM and New York Cares, this program will provide a unique opportunity for New Yorkers to celebrate these citywide events while also creating meaningful connections with neighbors and newcomers alike.”  

 

“New Yorkers show up for each other throughout the year — and the best of our city will be on full display with the Summer Welcome Corps,” said NYC Chief Service Officer Laura Rog. “In partnership with NYC Emergency Management and New York Cares, volunteers will play a critical role in the success of citywide celebrations from the World Cup to Sail4th, showing all visitors that service to others and welcoming people from all over the globe is what it means to be a New Yorker.”   

   

“The Summer Welcome Corps was inspired by and grew out of our Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), New Yorkers who have spent years training to take care of their neighbors,” said NYCEM Commissioner Christina Farrell. “CERT volunteers will be a key part of our response this summer, serving alongside their fellow Welcome Corps members. As the world arrives for the World Cup and other summer events, the Welcome Corps takes what CERT has built and amplifies it, giving every New Yorker a way to show up for their city and welcome the millions of visitors joining us.”  

   

“Every day, New Yorkers generously lend their time and talents to help their neighbors and communities thrive,” said New York Cares Executive Director Sapreet Saluja. “We are excited to be a part of the Summer Welcome Corps, which will harness that same energy, commitment and pride in the city we love as we support citywide celebrations, engage New Yorkers and welcome millions of visitors who will call New York home for these iconic events.” 

  

About NYC Service

NYC Service is a division of the Mayor’s Office, providing meaningful access, opportunity and resources for communities to come together and answer the call to serve NYC. We envision a city where New Yorkers are united by service and together build a culture where New Yorkers uplift one another and take responsibility for the success of our city. Learn more at nyc.gov/service.    

About NYCEM

New York City Emergency Management helps New Yorkers prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies. The agency coordinates the City’s response to incidents of every scale and type, operates Notify NYC, the City’s official free emergency alert system available in multiple languages and runs the CERT program, which trains volunteers across all five boroughs in disaster preparedness, basic fire safety, search and rescue, traffic management and first aid. Learn more at nyc.gov/em.  

   

About New York Cares  

New York Cares is the city’s largest volunteer network. This past year, over 60,000 New Yorkers made their city more resilient by volunteering in New York Cares programs at over 350 nonprofits and schools across all five boroughs — improving education, meeting immediate needs and revitalizing public spaces. For more information, visit newyorkcares.org.