Does anyone know of any unique volunteer opportunities?

Question

I have tried all of those sites that come up on the search like volunteer match or something like that and la works too. I live near Pasadena, S. California and there isn't anything that really interests me, and if it does, there is always something that restricts me from taking it up (example, age) i'm 14 and most of their requirements are 18 or older. I want this volunteer opportunity to be unique, one that isn't "popular" in my school, so that i can meet other people, reach out to others. So far, i haven't been able to find a program that suits me, and i have been looking for about a year. Does anyone know of a volunteer opportunity/program that i might be interested in?

Answer 1

Since you've already tried your volunteer centers and non-profit agencies, I would suggest working on your own project. Many youth leaders that I work with have branched out to provide a lot of diverse community improvements.

One of the 14-year-olds that I work with has started his own after school tutoring program and is expanding nationally, and I've met several others that have started their own programs that promote a clean environment, cultural events, and many other great programs.

You can find some resource information through the Points of Light Foundation at:
http://www.volunteerresource.org

Age is never a barrier for those that truly wish to make a difference. Start by thinking about what issues are important to you. In order to make the most impact, you have to believe in your cause. I do like working with Hands On Network affiliates like LA Works, but you can also get some additional ideas from the Hands On Network directly. Here's a link to their Community Issues page:
http://www.handsonnetwork.org/vca/citizen-academy/

You can also try some of the other volunteer centers for some more ideas:
http://www.pointsoflight.org/centers/centerlist.cfm?State=CA

I started as a hospital volunteer, and branched out as a volunteer activist, where I now use my marketing skills helping the board of directors of my volunteer center. I have every confidence that you can find your way as well.

Good luck!

Answer 2

You need to look at volunteering with different eyes - you are making a "sort of" contest out of your effort to do good. You seek something unique - now ask yourself why? There are people in need of a good heart and perhaps physical help or someone to read to them or sing to them or walk their dog or pick up a prescription for them at a pharmacy or make a phone call for them to straighten out a something with their utility company or something of that nature....They are waiting - while you are thinking of ways to like what you want to do - unique ways - something no one else is doing - all the while people who you could be helping now - wait for you to decide. You already have a desire - now you need to take action - their is no contest - once you see the gratitude and the smiles and the relief you give - you will be in that moment of "empowerment" and you'll see you will start to do everything in your life differently - I'll bet your grades Will improve as well as your manners and how to handle yourself overall - those things all come from the sense of empowerment and self esteem - you'll gain - you'll see.