Archcare
The Order of Malta regularly volunteers at Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center and Mary Manning Walsh Nursing Home. As part of ArchCare, the Continuing Care Community of the Archdiocese of New York, the medical centers provide short-term rehabilitation, long-term skilled nursing care, subacute rehabilitation, and specialized care for individuals with Huntington's disease, ALS, Alzheimer's disease, and other conditions. Thanks to the generosity of guests at Spring Knights, the St. John Committee helps fund therapeutic programming for residents.
Building Friendships That Span Generations
The Order of Malta volunteers throughout the year at Archcare, from singing the night away at our monthly Late Knight Karaoke to sharing weekly Masses to throwing Thanksgiving and Christmas parties for residents and their families. These social connections are particularly vital for residents, as meaningful interactions can help preserve cognitive function, reduce isolation and depression, and maintain quality of life even as physical or mental abilities decline.
At Late Knight Karaoke, a monthly tradition now in its third year at Mary Manning Walsh Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center, our volunteers gather with residents to sing everything from Sinatra standards to family favorites, filling the Emerald Lounge with music, laughter, and company. The evening has grown from an intimate first gathering of about 30 residents into one of the Area's biggest draws, recently welcoming over 40 residents and 15 volunteers in a single night. For many residents, it's a rare chance to spend time with visitors outside their own room or celebrate with visiting family.
In 2025, the Area hosted its first “Lourdes in a Day” program at Mary Manning Walsh, bringing Lourdes to over 100 residents, family members, guests, Dames, Knights, Affiliates, and volunteers.
Your Call to Serve
Today, the Order of Malta cares for people in need in 120 countries through medical, social, and humanitarian works, including right here in New York City. The Order’s work is grounded in our Catholic belief that every person possesses inherent dignity.
In NYC, volunteers of all faiths, ages, and backgrounds work alongside over 180 Knights and Dames to honor this dignity through faith and hands-on service. We gather for monthly Mass and special liturgies, deepening our spiritual lives to witness God's love through our service. We bring meals and medical care to the homeless, joy to children with disabilities, and companionship to the elderly and isolated.
Volunteers play a critical role in our work. If you have felt the call to serve, the first step is joining the Affiliates, the official volunteer corps of the Order of Malta. Joining as an Affiliate is a wonderful way to learn more about the Order and meet our community, as well as to explore membership—becoming a Knight or Dame of the Order.