Teen Volunteering: Opportunities to Serve Nonprofits

 

Volunteering has a lot to offer, even if you do it out of obligation. The reason you volunteer really doesn't matter all that much. I hope you're looking forward to it, but even if you're a little nervous right now, I think you'll enjoy it. Some teenagers simply enjoy the idea of helping others. Maybe your parents volunteer, or maybe you've been helped by someone in the past and want to help others. Some teenagers are forced to volunteer because their schools mandate community service or because they were in trouble and were punished by "volunteering." Volunteering in orphanages

There are numerous locations where you can volunteer if you so choose. In most cases, you will be supporting a charitable organization. The definition can be found on Wikipedia, a non-profit organization in and of itself. My short version is as follows:

an organization that gives the public funding, services, programs, or information without charging a fee.

Is that clear? Some of the most common types of nonprofits are as follows:

Social issues - organizations that work to change or improve conditions for people (racism, homelessness, and prejudice) or to assist people in difficult situations (provide food, shelter, or counseling) Social issues - organizations that work to change or improve conditions for people (racism, homelessness, and prejudice) or to help people in difficult situations (provide food, shelter, or counseling). Humanitarian aid - organizations like the Red Cross that assist in situations of war or earthquake. Animal protection - there are national organizations and local shelter Clubs like Girl Scouts fall under this category as well. Charities are usually trusts or foundations that give money to nonprofits. Health care: many hospitals are nonprofit, and many organizations like the American Cancer Society work to find a cure for diseases. Politics: groups usually form to support a candidate or party. They can be national or local. Religion: all religions in the United States are nonprofit organizations. Sports: like a local league or club sport. I think volunteering should be fun, creative, and educational. You probably have some ideas about what you want to do with your life as a teenager, and many adults probably are nagging you about it. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to try something new. The cool part is that.

Naturally, there is a possibility that you will be required to perform uninteresting or boring community service. If that occurs, you must be prepared with your own concepts so that you can choose!

Think about your interests and skills. When you have a choice, what do you enjoy doing? What do people praise you for, and what are your strengths? At this point in your life, you, y'all, possess some skills that set you apart. Now is your chance to put them to use.

If you still feel like you don't want to do community service, go back and read that again!

A list of concepts is what I'm going to give you here. They might not suit your needs, they might not be available in your area, or you might dislike them. However, there is enough content here to stimulate thought. Your volunteer work can be something you create or something that already exists (like volunteering at a hospital). You will need to come up with your own if you want to earn your Boy Scout Eagle or Girl Scout Gold award.

Here it is:

Do you enjoy art? Find a nonprofit theater or performing arts center in your community. Find out if you can help them by serving as an usher or working at the box office. Make sure you get free tickets to the performances!

Do you want to assist homeless families? Consult your mosque, temple, or church. A Family Promise or Interfaith Hospitality Network program is available in many communities. For a week at a time, families with children attend congregations. You could entertain the children, cook a meal, or play games with them.

Are you interested in farming or gardening? Volunteering at a public farm or garden might be a good place to start. You could then begin your own community gardening project. Invite the community to participate and ask the town for a small plot.

Are you an excellent planner? Think about planning a drive. You could gather blankets, coats, gloves, and food for the local pantry. You'll have to figure out where you can donate them and find a place to store them at your house, school, or church. You should be able to get free publicity from the newspaper. Make it even more interesting by decorating fleece throws and asking people to buy them....) Are you into music? Create a chorus or band and perform in public settings like nursing homes, shelters, orphanages.

Love animals? Train to work at a zoo or volunteer to walk and feed the dogs at a local shelter.

Do you have any stories to tell? You can talk about them to groups of people your age or write about them. These would be interesting to many organizations that work with children. You could discuss that if you were adopted. Share if a parent passed away or left. Check to see if there is a teen advisory board in any organizations that work with teens.

Getting Started Get suggestions from friends, family, teachers, and neighbors. For contact information, look online or in the phone book. Do you dislike calling? ( me too!) Ask a partner or a parent to make the first call to see if anyone is interested in using your services. Then, visit them.