If you are in college, try the office for student involvement. There are likely a good amount of student organizations based around volunteer work that you could look into or get information from. Find out about using your volunteering to get academic credit. Some college programs incorporate volunteer work into the normal curriculum, but there is a chance that other programs might offer a way to earn credit hours through volunteering. If you are a junior or senior in high school, you might be able to work volunteering into your school schedule. See your academic advisor or guidance counselor.
Even if there are no specific programs that exist through the city itself, they still might be able to direct you to organizations or groups that need help from volunteers nearby.
There may be summer camps that are looking for young people or parents to volunteer to help with the kids while they attend camp. If you are looking for an opportunity geared more towards outdoor activities like sports or camp, try an internet search for summer camps in your area and contact the directors.
For example, the United Methodist Church has an online database of volunteer opportunities that you can search and find something local. But, simply driving up to a nearby place of worship and asking about opportunities might be just as effective.
The Lions Club is a great place to seek different types of volunteering opportunities. Head to their website, find a club near you, and see a calendar of events. They help with everything from serving the community to disaster relief.
You can also get on the phone and call local youth groups, organizations, and health clubs to see if they might have any suggestions or opportunities for you.
Most of the Red Cross’s work is done by volunteers, so contributing to this organization will really have an impact on your local community. If there has been any kind of natural disaster nearby, the Red Cross can connect you with projects and teams helping those affected by it, as well.
Check out the list of existing volunteer initiatives and see if any of them interest you. You might be able to join up with a local group already working on a certain project. Type in your area of interest and the city and state you live in for a specific list of volunteer opportunities that match in the website’s database.
Through this website, you can send a message directly to the volunteer coordinator from the VolunteerMatch. org website once you find an opportunity you would like to pursue.
Check out the list of upcoming fundraisers, events, walks, marches and other volunteer opportunities in your area and see which of these fits your needs and your schedule. You can also search for internships that are available in your field of interest. An unpaid internship is volunteer work that helps you work towards specific career goals. Many college programs encourage students to seek internships through their course of study, so this is a valuable source for finding those.
If you like groups, you can join one of the efforts through your local United Way or even through your school. If you work better on your own, you can try things like making some fundraising phone calls for a charity, or volunteering for a crisis helpline from home.
If you are a student, make sure you take your own personal obligations into consideration when determining what kind of time you can commit to volunteer work. Try to avoid overcommitting yourself, and then having to back out of things last minute.
Don’t focus strictly on “practical” skills you might have, such as your specializations or education. Think about what else you have to offer, including patience, compassion, an ear for listening, a sense of humor, working out problems, and even things like arts and crafts. Finding a volunteer opportunity that matches your specific skills will help you and your community get more from the work you do.
Volunteering is a great way to get a better look at a specific field or organization. You can learn a lot in the process, so you can use volunteering as a way to help you get a better understanding of a certain career path. Everyone can benefit from the feeling of their skills, time, and personal qualities being valued and needed by others. Volunteering can offer a sense of personal accomplishment and value.
