Volunteering

Word Up is powered by a volunteer collective that runs the bookshop on a day­-to-day basis. The collective is composed of local residents of diverse backgrounds, abilities, ages, and resources. At any given time, 6–10 volunteers are under the age of 20. Volunteers hail from USA, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and other countries. Many are longtime uptown residents, and some since birth. Among the volunteers are people from the LGBTQ community, people with visible and non-visible disabilities, and people of varying socioeconomic, education, housing, and immigration statuses. The collective itself holds continuous conversations and policy reviews for increasing language justice, disability awareness, facility to respond to medical/mental health emergencies, and more.

We come together and do this as a community, to prove it can be done. And we invite you to JOIN US! If you are interested in volunteering, or in attending an orientation, please email volunteer@wordupbooks.com and tell us:

  • Your name
  • A little about yourself
  • Why you would like to volunteer at Word Up Community Bookshop

Orientations will take place at 2113 Amsterdam Ave on 165th street or online via ZOOM.

All orientations should be scheduled individually. Email volunteer@wordupbooks.com to schedule an orientation.