Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani is putting New Yorkers on official welcome duty this summer, rolling out the NYC Summer Welcome Corps to greet the crush of visitors expected across the five boroughs. Volunteers will fan out to high-traffic spots citywide, giving directions, pointing overheated tourists toward shade and water, helping people with accessibility needs and keeping a casual eye on safety while they are on shift. City officials are pitching it as a short, simple commitment that taps into everyday New Yorker skills like subway savvy, neighborhood know-how and basic human decency.
In a press release from the Mayor's Office, Mamdani called the initiative “a first-of-its-kind partnership to welcome the world to our five boroughs” and urged both longtime New Yorkers and recent arrivals to sign up. The release notes that volunteers must be at least 18, will go through a background check before serving and that the corps is a joint venture of NYC Service, New York Cares and New York City Emergency Management.
How the Summer Welcome Corps Will Operate
The city plans to place volunteers at dozens of projects around town this season, with NYC Service listing more than 175 welcome events across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. Shifts will be posted at busy public locations and events, and each project comes with its own briefing and on-site supervisors to handle questions. To see available shifts and register, the city is steering prospective volunteers to the Summer Welcome Corps page on NYC Service.
Who Can Volunteer And How They're Screened
According to New York Cares, Summer Welcome Corps roles are open to anyone 18 or older who passes the required background check. The group explains that screening is handled by Sterling Volunteers at a Level 2 standard, and that volunteers whose checks are not cleared at least 72 hours before a session can be removed from that shift. Registered volunteers will get training materials and specific shift details in advance of their assignments.
Built On CERT Training
The city says the corps grew out of its Community Emergency Response Teams, with NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Christina Farrell telling the Mayor's Office that the program “takes what CERT has built and amplifies it” to welcome visitors. The same release notes that Deputy Mayor Julia Kerson and NYC Chief Service Officer Laura Rog also described the corps as a way for residents to connect with and support the millions of visitors expected in the city this summer. Officials say CERT volunteers will remain central to the response effort, while everyday New Yorkers in the Welcome Corps focus on the public-facing side of the operation.
Part Of A Broader World Cup Plan
The Summer Welcome Corps is just one piece of a wider strategy to push World Cup energy beyond MetLife Stadium and into neighborhoods across the five boroughs. The city is tying the corps to the NYC Neighborhood Passport, fan zones and a packed events calendar. Time Out’s coverage of the passport and related programming points to a clear goal from the administration to drive fans toward small businesses, cultural spots and local watch parties in every borough. Officials say the combined efforts are meant to keep the World Cup experience accessible and welcoming for both residents and visitors.
Anyone interested in pitching in can browse shifts and sign up now, with projects designed to fit around work and family life. For the Summer Welcome Corps registration portal and the full list of opportunities, visit NYC Service, and check New York Cares for details on how the screening process works.
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