actress searching room in NY /august 13 (Milan)

Hi everyone! I'm Italian but I've acting in I n E here in Milan for a while ....Had a great NY acting teacher/playwright and director from the Stella Adler's school. Still I work during the day as a language teacher... my dream is to spend at least one month in NY, attending some lessons at the Adler's school... and meanwhile I was even thinking of doing some volunteering in young kinds center....through acting of course. Has anyone an idea how to find a place- like people going on holiday who have plants or cats n dogs to be looked after? Maybe religious center as well might offer a place to stay in exchange of some help?
I have never been to the US , so any suggestion will be mostly helpful!
TKS so much ( home made brownies for the best suggestion ok?) Paola