what is a good place to volunteer for young adults?

Question

my son is a excellent student. I would like for him to devote some of his summer downtime to others that need also let it be a learning experience to him.

Answer 1

It really depends on where you live, and what your son likes to do. Virtually any nonprofit organization will be thrilled to have a volunteer- you just need to call them. Try to find something that incorporates his interests- He'll enjoy it more, and get more out of it.

Some ideas:

-Local red cross- they often need help with things like office work, and they're an excellent cause.
-Local library
-Local museaums
-Hospitals, although they often have age restrictions
-Local food bank or soup kitchen
-Local animal shelter

Try Craig's List, http://www.craigslist.org/ in your area. There is a section, "volunteers" in the upper left under community, where people request volunteers

Idealist.org also has a nationwide volunteer opportunity finder:
http://www.idealist.org/if/idealist/en/AdvancedSearch/VolunteerOpportunity/default?sid=60393680-321-nACLC

Volunteering is a great thing to do as a teenager- it's great for college applications, and a really good way to make connections that can lead to jobs or at least good references later on. Good luck to you and your son!

Answer 2

I am a professional volunteer so I get asked this question a lot. Ok I am not really a professional volunteer, but every night of the week I am working somewhere it seems that I dont get paid.

There are a lot of places for young volunteers to serve. I always tell people to start with their church if they have one. Churches are almost always seeking people to accomplish a service task.

Nursing homes are always looking for people to adopt "grandparents." check to make certain that the program is supervised though as abuse could be an issue with a highly mobile nursing home resident.

Big Brothers/Big sisters is another good one. some of the larger units have summer programs. Boys and girls Clubs of America sometimes have summer programs as well.

The YMCA often has summer camps and outdoor programs. That way your child can also be outside and have some fun at the same time.

Answer 3

if you have a community centre they run all kinds of summer schemes for children and it will be a great experience for him plus he'll have fun with the outings and the fun stuff they do so it won't be a complete bore of a holiday (like it would if he worked in a shop). It will also get him to appreciate what he has since some of those children may have had some pretty bad experiences. There are other children centres too or the other place is a deaf centre for adults and children, he may pick up some sign language there whilst he's helping which will benefit him later when working.

Answer 4

1) Camp counsellor
2) Helping Katrina victims rebuild their homes
3) Preparing and delivering meals on wheels to shut-ins
4) If he has a driver's licence, drive patients to medical appointments
5)Register at a community health centre to clean homes, cut grass, be a "friendly visitor" to isolated people with loss of autonomy.
6) Tutor younger students
7) Prepare income tax for the elderly
8) Work in a food bank or soup kitchen
9) Offer to teach new Immigrants English
10) Register with City Hall to clean litter from streets and parks
11) Volunteer overseas with CUSO
12) Plant trees (look on the Net for nearest registered places)
13) Join an environmental protection group.

Answer 5

There are areas of volunteer appurtunities in just about any field. What does your son like to do? What does he want to once he graduates? He can find something that goes along with his interests that will also be beneficial to him later on applications for college and work. If you are in America try looking at Volunteer Match - http://www.volunteermatch.org/

Personally I like LAWorks in the Los Angeles area - http://www.laworks.com/

Answer 6

Big Brothers is a great organization. Summer camps for disabled kids, such as MDA, offer a great learning opportunity while helping others. Volunteering at a hospital is a great experience also.

Answer 7

There are many opportunities like the PBandJ (Peanut Butter and Jelly) drives held by the church. There are organizations like Volunteer Match http://www.volunteermatch.org that have several activities for groups of kids and adults to help in the community.

Answer 8

How about helping with sports camps in your area. There are some camps that are for underprivileged youths and need volunteers to help run the camps. Give it some thought! Of course, he could also volunteer to help tutor in educational settings as well.

Answer 9

you can volunteer at your church, or they should know some places. You could also go to your local High School and ask them if they know of any current volunteer positions for your son that could keep him busy during the summer.

Answer 10

What are his interest and hobbies?

Volunteer at hospital or old folks home
animal shelter
food pantry
church
day care center

There might be a volunteer center in your city that would be able to help you find something for him to do.