Volunteer Opportunities for 9 yr old?

Question

Please read completely before answering.

I know this is young. But I am only looking for a 1 day a week, or so service available for my son. Reason being:
1) To break some selfish and unappreciative attitudes that have been growing in him.
2) To aid in his homeschooling requirements of good citizenship.
3) To compliment his "active" learning style. He learns best when physically moving around. (one of the reasons I'm going to homeschool him, sitting for long hours is countereffective for him).

Examples of organizations that would allow a very young person to offer time would be helpful. He is already in scouts, but they focus more on group activities than volunteering.

I'm not looking to leave him alone. Working with him is ideal for me. A family thing.

Answer 1

Hi, I think that is a good thing. Its good that you recognize that your son needs to break his bad habits of selfishness. The children growing up today are known as the "entitlement generation", and they think that I pods, expensive sneakers, and video games should be handed to them on a silver platter.

But what happens is that when children--especially black boys--grow up like that--they tend to be lazy, unproductive members of society who turn to using different women or crime as a way to achieve that lifestyle of luxury--because they just cant understand a hard days work. I know because I saw my brother become a man like this--he was very spolied and catered to as a child.

I think that homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and working with seniors can be good. A boy needs to do Physical Labor. Plus, he will see that not everybody lives a life of priveledge and luxury.

I also think that you as a Mom can have a big impact on him. My brother & I had 2 different Moms. His mom gave him almost every new sneaker that came on the market. While my mom made it clear that expensive shoes, clothes, or anything was not a part of our family motto. I had chores, and I had to get A's & B's or else. I got my first job when I was 14, working under the table at a local store making $80 a week. By the time I was 16 I was helping my mom pay household bills. Meanwhile, my brother lived a lavish lifestyle. My brother used to think he was hot stuff with his jewelry, clothes, and sneakers--and he even looked down on "poor people" who couldnt afford such things. My Dad and Mom divorced when I was young--but Dad remained in both our lives...Well, my brother messed up in school, then started selling drugs at age 17 after his mom could no longer give him expensive things. He ended up doing the drugs he was selling, became an addict, and his life was a mess.

Me, I graduted, went on to college, graduted, now I'm a Teacher and am starting my own business--and I dont touch drugs or alcohol. My brother did clean his life up around age 30, got married to a wonderful black woman. But, he started craving the lavish lifestyle agian--and he couldnt seem to hold down a job. His marriage ended last year after his wife couldnt deal with his being "irresponsible".

I say all that to say that if you dont nip your sons behavior in the bud now ASAP, he can end up like the stereotypical, irresponsible, lazy black male. Dont think its only poor blacks who become that--I've seen upper middle class blacks have sons worse than some so called lower class blacks.

Stop giving your boy expensive gifts, toys, games, sneakers, clothes etc. Say No when he asks you for such things, and dont allow hos grandma or auntie to give him those things either.Give him chores that must be done. Keep him busy sun-up to sundown with chores, his volunteer work, etc. If he comes asking you for the lastest sneakers like "rollerskate sneakers"--tell him no, because he doesnt get what he "wants" from you--he gets only what he "needs". Let him know that if he wants anything "extra" in life besides the food, shelter and clothes you give him--tell him he needs to go out here and get a job, even if its shoveling snow or raking leaves. And, when he turns 16, make him get a job and help with the household bills. He will have to pay bills as a grown man, and you're raising a strong black man, not a weak one.

I saw this documentary where this black Mom & Dad had 3 sons. Their parents didnt give them expensive toys, videogames or anything because they were poor. When those boys turned 15, they started raking leaves and shoveling to help their parents pay household bills. They were such nice boys. And, when the oldest son finally had on his cap & gown to graduate from college, his black momma cried and cried. They were all so handome and proud, strong young black men. We need to raise more responsible young men like that--But it starts from the parents and grandparents making it clear that only hard work will give them things they want out of life--not sitting back accpeting gifts from Momma like she's Santa Claus.

Ok, I didnt mean this to be sooo long! Good luck with your boy, and make the next 6 years of his life the most important---it will shape his destiny.

Answer 2

Visit a nursing home and ask the director there if there are any residents that do not have frequent visitors. If you are willing to keep up the once a week visit this would be absolutely great for those who don't have the pleasure of family visiting. 9 is a great age for this because so many lessons can be formed and also an addition to your family as well. You could bring games and coloring books, snacks and such. Both the adopted grandparent and the 9 year old will benefit

Answer 3

My roommate and I from college were both homeschoolers. We volunteered at our local Salvation Army sorting clothing and putting it out in the thrift store. Just seeing some of the families that would come in the afternoon really made me appreciate the fact that even had a job. It also taught me the value of money. That 100 dollar pair of jeans i want could feed a family for a week. Maybe this will help.

I think that is a very honorable task that your giving your 9 year old!

Answer 4

I believe your question is excellent. Unfortunatelly, we adults emphazise more in volunteering when children are above age 14. But like you, there are many parents out there who would like to find where young children can serve as volunteers.

Maybe you should consider starting one organization of your own, and recruit the volunteers through Yahoo! Answers. I honestly admit that I run an international non profit organization but I failed to create any programs locally for young children.

When I was 9, I also wanted to do volunteer work, but nobody would take me, because the minimum age to be accepted was 14 in all organizations. Maybe I should get busy creating a program for kids too.

Answer 5

Boy Scouts would be a good option. It would be perfect for helping him learn to help others. Scouts would also be good for teaching him to be a good citizen, and it also provides a lot of opportunities to accomodate his active learning style. And really, looking at things in the long run, if he enjoys the scouts and stays active in the program, that means a lot of extra scholarship money when it comes time for college financial aid planning.

Answer 6

Try the local Sierra Club or other environmental group, so that you can do cleanups. But if they don't offer anything as a group, there's nothing that stops you from going to a creek or beach with a plastic bag and just cleaning it up yourself.

You can also try groups that work with the elderly. Sometimes they organize young people to clean up the homes of elderly people who have so much clutter that they're about to be evicted. Everyone who does it goes home and throws out their own junk!

Answer 7

Please, let me begin by asking you not to take this comment as judgemental, for that is no the intention.

From a parental point of view, I would have to say that any volunteer opportunity would be open to a 9-year-old when accompanied by an adult.

Since our children learn from what they see us, as parents, doing, then it makes sense for you to volunteer and have him tag along.

If you shuffle him off to volunteer on his own, he may very well see it as a punishment, and you will be contradicting your ultimate goal.

I wish you luck... you and I have a job more difficult than the CEO of any company. They can be fired and pick up somewhere else and start over. Your precious child only has one shot at a good boss.

Answer 8

I think it's great that you are involving your son in community service. I work with a lot of youth volunteers, and many opportunities are family-based opportunities that allow you to do service projects together. Through our local volunteer center, we have community service opportunities that allow children as young as five years old to do service at the local Food Bank, clean up parks, beaches, and work at some of the local animal shelters.

Try contacting your local volunteer center using the following links:

http://www.handsonnetwork.org/our-network/
http://pointsoflight.org/centers/find_center.cfm

Volunteer centers allow you to find one-time, short-term, and long-term opportunities. As you are looking for weekly opportunities, the volunteer centers can connect you with appropriate agencies that accept youth volunteers as well.

If you can't find a volunteer center with one of the links provided, try your local chapter of the United Way. They also specialize in matching people with volunteer opportunities.

http://national.unitedway.org/

Good luck!

Answer 9

Try soup kitchens, or breakfast kitchens for the poor and homeless. They are often hosted at churches, and as long as you are with your son, such an activity could prove to be very beneficial. Not only are you teaching your son something of value, but you are helping out in the community.

Answer 10

Are you residing in the U.S.A.? If yes, then go to the nearest American Red Cross Branch in your area (phone number is in the phone directory) The AmCross offers vast volunteering opportunities for youth and adults alike.