There are some wonderful opportunities for you to grow and expand your horizon, and you can sign up for them without leaving your home office.
This article will provide you with some well-recommended, well-thought of volunteer agencies that will match you up with your skills, background, abilities and zipcode, and find you a volunteer opening not far from your home. To read more about the benefits of volunteering go to The Power of Volunteering.
There are all sorts of wonderful things you can do from giving lectures to youth on things like substance abuse, being a foster grandparent (if you are at least 60), facilitating at blood banks, helping out at your local Y by leading an exercise class, reading to a preschool class, educating women about heart disease, or working with disaster prevention to name just a few.
Online Agencies that Will Match You
VolunteerMatch.com is a leader in the nonprofit world. It is dedicated to helping everyone find a great place to volunteer. There are 55,399 current opportunities and 63,042 member organizations within its scope. You might be interested to learn that 25 percent of VolunteerMatch users are first-time volunteers and 50 percent are under 30. Go to the search page, type in your zipcode and get ready for some great choices.
www.SeniorCorps.org is a network of programs that tap the experience, skills and talents of older citizens to meet community challenges. It connects people over 55 with the people and organizations that need them the most. SeniorCorps helps volunteers become mentors, coaches or companions to people in need. It helps them contribute their job skills and expertise to community projects and organization.
SeniorCorps was conceived of during John F. Kennedy's presidency. It currently links more than 500,000 Americans to service opportunities. Volunteers receive guidance and training so they can make a contribution that suits their talents, interests and availability.
The Foster Grandparent Program connects volunteers aged 60 and over with children and young people with exceptional needs. Volunteers mentor, support and help some of the most vulnerable children in the U.S.
The Senior Companion Program brings together volunteers aged 60 and over with adults in their community who have difficulty with the simple tasks of day-to-day living.
RSVP connects volunteers age 55 and over with service opportunities in their communities that match their skills and availability. From building houses to immunizing children, from enhancing the capacity of non-profit organizations to improving and protecting the environment, RSVP volunteers put their unique talents to work to make a difference.
www.ServeNet.Org allows you to find service opportunities in your area by entering your zip code, interests and skills. It will direct you to volunteer opportunities directly or to local organizations in your area. There are many helpful things on this website including information on grants available, being an advocate, resources, and service organizations.
One-Year Commitment
www.AmeriCorps.org is a one-year national service program in which volunteers tutor and mentor youth, build affordable housing, teach computer skills, clean parks and streams, run after school programs and help communities respond to disasters. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) signed into law by President Obama on Febrary 17th, includes $201 million in funding for National and Community Service to support an expansion of AmeriCorps State and National and AmeriCorps VISTA programs.
Work Abroad
www.GlobalVolunteers.com is a volunteer site that allows you to work with local people on community development projects for one, two or three weeks in the U.S. and abroad.
Summary
No matter how much time you can contribute, volunteering will pay rich dividends in return. Whether volunteering close to home or across the ocean, the gifts of time and self will be richly rewarded.
Maryellen Grady - When I was around 12 years old, I sold a short story to a girls' magazine, and I got to see it published with my name on it for all to ...
