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These lists have been compiled from many Youth Volunteer sites.
Great Ideas for Volunteer Projects
- Organize a book drive for a local school or library.
- Write, direct, and star in a play for younger kids. The play could illustrate a positive message about staying in school or how to deal with negative peer pressure.
- Teach computer skills to younger kids or older adults at senior centers.
- Help the hungry and the homeless by making "Lend a Hand" kits with combs, toothbrushes, shampoos, compact mirrors, etc.
- Gather clothing from your neighbors and donate it to a local shelter.
- Adopt a "grandfriend" and visit the nursing home.
- Pick up groceries or toiletries for an elderly person.
- Paint a mural over ugly graffiti.
- Help neighbors paint and repair their homes or clean up a vacant lot.
- Set up a buddy system for kids with special needs at your school.
- Bring toys to children in the hospital.
- Clean up trash along a river or in a park.
- Create a "Value of Diversity" to educate parents, teachers, and people in your community about local cultures. Put on skits, musical performances, and set up food booths from various countries represented in your area.
- Provide "teen packs" for homeless shelters and facilities that house runaway teens. Fill them with the kinds of products and stuff teens really need.
- When you've learned a lot about what to do and what still needs to be done, go ahead and create a youth volunteer center to match teens to community organizations that need volunteers to make it that much easier for other teens to join. This can be done online too by visiting Volunteer Match where you can check out thousands of volunteer opportunities via city/regional plug-ins. And, for more information about leadership programs check out Camp Fire Boys and Girls' Teens in Action site.
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More Ideas
1. CITs -- Counselors in TrainingToo old to go to camp but not yet old enough to be a full counselor? Then you might want to find out about the Counselors in Training program at a camp you've attended. Call to find out what's available and what the requirements are. Ask to speak to the camp director. CITs are usually 16 or 17 years old. Some camp for free, some have part of their camp fee waived and other CITs receive a small stipend -- it varies from camp to camp
2. Hospitals Interested in medicine? Enjoy helping people? Then volunteering at your local hospital might be just the thing for you. Just call a hospital in your area and ask to speak to the volunteer coordinator or the director of volunteers. We found out about volunteer opportunities at Mason General Hospital in Shelton, Washington, where there are many volunteer opportunities for teens 14-18 years old. These include stocking nursing supplies, transporting patients with a nurse, making some pharmacy deliveries to nurse departments, bringing books to patients, sitting and talking to patients, and reading to patients.
3. Nursing Homes or Retirement Communities "There's a natural link between the young and the old," says Helen Griffin, activities director, Rogerson Communities Adult Day Center in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. "It's we in the middle who've lost that link. We're too focused on our jobs, our bank accounts, our daily schedules. Plus, we tend to see what old people can't do. Kids see what they can do. Old folks and young people are happy to live in the present moment. And being around young people helps old people recreate memories." Interested in volunteering at a nursing home? Look in the Yellow Pages, under "Nursing Homes" or "Retirement Communities." Ask to speak to the activities director, the director of recreation therapy, or the volunteer coordinator. Work opportunities include: office work; setting up the dining room; pushing wheelchairs; playing checkers, cards, puzzles; talking and listening -- especially with blind clients; delivering mail; reading it for low-vision elders; helping write letters; reading aloud in general; cooking projects, art projects, and sing-alongs.
Helping Animals and the Environment
4. Animal Shelters and Veterinary Offices
More comfortable around dogs than people? Investigate a career working with animals by volunteering. "Local animal shelters and vets are a great place to start looking for opportunities," says Chad Mouton, special events coordinator of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. That's what 14-year-old Susie Liebler did in Exeter, New Hampshire. This summer she'll be shadowing a horse vet. She'll learn about the equipment that he uses and about different animal ailments and treatments. When she's not busy doing that, she'll be working in a vet's office: answering phones, escorting animals in and out, and cleaning the kennels. Don't expect to be training dogs on your first visit, though. Mouton says, "In most cases teenagers must be over 18 years old to actually 'handle' the animals."
5. Garden Centers, Nurseries Look in the Yellow Pages under "Garden Center" or "Nursery." Ask to speak to the owner or manager. Opportunities might include running the cash register, grooming outside areas, weeding, watering, and loading cars for customers. Some garden centers can't use unpaid labor because of the kind of insurance they carry. This varies from place to place, so shop around.
6. Sierra Student Coalition Take action -- help save the Earth! Find out what you can do to protect the environment by joining the Sierra Student Coalition, the student-run activitist program of the Sierra Club, a non-profit environmental organization. Though designed primarily for high-school and college students, this earth-friendly group will accept interested younger students. Volunteers participate in legislative and educational campaigns and attend training conferences to develop leadership and activist skills.
Hands On Learning
7. Libraries Do you enjoy going to your local library? We spoke with Georgean Johnson-Coffey at the Volunteer Services Department at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana. About 30 percent of the volunteers at the library are between the ages of 11 and 17. They work in a variety of positions including computer center helper, studio camera operator, and children's program assistant. You can volunteer to be part of the Young Adult Advisory Council and have your voice heard in what services and materials are offered to young adults. Ms. Johnson-Coffey says, "My priority is to make the best possible match of volunteer to position." Sound like a fun way to spend your summer? You will find your local library in your city or town Blue Pages, under "Libraries." Ask to speak to someone in volunteer services.
8. Museums and Aquariums Not only are museums and aquariums great places to learn but many also offer volunteer opportunities for kids and teens. Call the museum or aquarium in your area to find out what's available and what the requirements are. Opportunities vary greatly from museum to museum, so contact the one you're interested in and ask what volunteers do. At the National Aquarium in Baltimore, high school volunteers need to be at least in their junior year of high school and are recommended for the volunteer positions by their science teachers. Not all places have such tough requirements.
9. Video and Television Production
Did you know that most communities have a cable access station and many offer video production classes and volunteer opportunities for kids and teens? Just look in the Yellow Pages, under "Cable Access," or call your local cable company and ask for the number. Ask to speak to the volunteer director or the youth coordinator.
10. Volunteer Centers
Many communities have a volunteer center that can help you find that perfect volunteer opportunity. Opportunities include recycling centers, hospitals, museums, summer camps, and libraries. Look in the Yellow Pages, under "Volunteer Center" to see if there's a volunteer center in your community. If you can't find the listing -- don't give up. Try calling your local chamber to see if there's a volunteer organization in your area. Ask to speak to the volunteer director or the volunteer
20 More Ways for Teenagers to Help Other People by Volunteering
- Homeless Shelters If you live in a city of any size, then there is at least one homeless shelter that helps homeless people with meals, beds and other services. Most homeless shelters welcome volunteers and have a variety of programs through which you can get involved. You might help prepare or distribute meals, work behind the scenes in the business office, help organize a food drive to stock the pantry, etc. You can learn more about the problem of homelessness and ways you can help by looking at this site. Look in the phone book for a local homeless shelter if you are interested.
- Food Banks Food banks often work with homeless shelters, but they also serve poor people living in the community (especially around the holidays). Food banks collect food, manage their inventory and distribute food to those in need. The following link shows you the different volunteer opportunities available at food banks around the country:
- The Guideposts Sweater Project If you would like something to do in your spare time at home, one innovative way to volunteer is to get involved in The Guideposts Sweater Project, sponsored by Guideposts magazine. People around the country knit sweaters that are then sent to needy children around the world. This article gives you a description of the project and a pattern for the sweaters. Don't know how to knit? Not a problem, because the article also links to sites that teach you how!
- Ronald McDonald House There are Ronald McDonald Houses around the country - almost every major city has one. The idea behind all Ronald McDonald Houses is very important. When a child is seriously ill, the child is frequently treated for long periods of time at a hospital or university medical center. Many families have to travel long distances to get to the hospital, and "where to stay" becomes a problem. Staying at a hotel becomes extremely expensive, and a hotel can be a lonely and sterile place. Ronald McDonald Houses provide a low-cost "home-away-from-home" for parents and children to stay during treatment. Volunteers help prepare meals, talk to families, take care of the house and so on. The programs offered at the Dallas Ronald McDonald House are typical, and you can read about volunteer opportunities there. Then call the Ronald McDonald House in your area to find out more.
- Special Olympics As described on the web site for Special Olympics International, "Special Olympics is an international program of year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with mental retardation." The site also describes a wide variety of volunteer activities, including sports training, fund raising, administrative help, competition planning and staffing, etc. Look in the phone book for a local office or search the Special Olympics Web Site for more information.
- Habitat for Humanities Habitat for Humanities builds and gives houses to poor people in local communities. Volunteers not only help others, but can learn a great deal about building houses by getting involved. See the Habitat for Humanities web site for more information. Call the national office or your local office for information about volunteer programs in your area.
- State Parks Many state parks offer volunteer programs, and in these programs you can try anything from educational programs to trail construction and maintenance. This site for the North Carolina State Park system shows some of the possibilities available. Contact a state park near you and see what options are available if you are interested.
- City Programs Most large cities offer a wide range of volunteer opportunities. Look in the phone book and call around to see what might be available where you live. [Do not be discouraged if your first few calls seem to hit a brick wall. Many city governments are large and fairly disorganized. Keep calling around until you find someone who understands what you are talking about and who is willing to help.]
- Helping Others Learn to Read When you think about it, reading is one of the most important skills an adult can have. Many adults, however, have never learned how to read. Literacy volunteers act as tutors who help illiterate children and adults learn this important skill. There is probably a literacy program in your area. See also Reading Is Fundamental (RIF).
- Hospitals Many hospitals have volunteer programs to help patients both inside and outside the hospital. This page for the Summit Medical Center is typical. The volunteers programs allow participants to explore medical careers and gain work experience. Contact local hospitals to learn more about opportunities in your area.
- Libraries Many libraries need help reshelving books, running children's programs, making books available to the community, and so on. This program specifically for teens at Phoenix Public Libraries trains teen volunteers to assist library staff and the public during the Summer Reading Program. Contact a local library for volunteer opportunities in your area.
- Senior Citizens Centers Many senior citizen centers offer volunteer programs to provide friendship and community activities to senior citizens. If you would like working with senior citizens, call a senior citizen center in your neighborhood and see what kinds of volunteer programs they have available.
- Animal Shelters Many animal shelters are non-profit or government organizations, and therefore they welcome volunteers to help take care of animals, keep facilities clean and work with the public. Call a local animal shelter for more information.
- United Way The United Way is a nationwide umbrella organization for thousands of charitable organizations. The United Way raises billions of dollars and distributes it to these charities. There are local United way affiliates across the country and they need volunteers. Contact your local affiliate for more information.
- Red Cross The American Red Cross helps people in emergencies - whether it's half a million disaster victims or one sick child who needs blood. Volunteer opportunities exist across the country. Contact your local Red Cross for more information.
- Salvation Army The Salvation Army provides social services, rehabilitation centers, disaster services, worship opportunities, character building activities for all ages and character building groups and activities for all ages. Volunteer opportunities exist across the country.
- Environmental Organizations The Sierra Club (and numerous other environmental groups) encourages volunteer support to help with environmental activities. You can help in many ways: by helping lobby on conservation issues, by leading hikes and other activities, or by lending a hand at the Chapter Office. Contact the local office of an environmental organization near you. See also the Earth Day site.
- Political Campaigns If it's an election year, there are thousands of opportunities to volunteer in political campaigns around the country. You can learn more than you imagine by helping a candidate win election. This article talks about some of the options. Pick a candidate whose ideas you believe in (either on the local, state or national level) and volunteer to be a part of his or her campaign.
- 800 Number Volunteer Many 800 help-lines rely on volunteers to staff the phones and handle other tasks. If there is an 800 phone bank in your area, you may be able to volunteer to help out.
- Web site creation Many small charities and organizations do not yet have web sites. You can help by learning how to create a web site and volunteering your services. You could also raise money to pay for the web site, or seek help from a local company in the form of a donation. When creating a web site for a charity, you will want to take care to listen very carefully to the people who work for the charity to understand exactly what they want their web site to look and feel like. This will be extremely important to them, and you should be willing to change and improve the site to match their mental image. See this page for information on creating web sites.
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