How do I get over the fear or laziness of doing community service?

Question

I've always wanted to do charity work. I want to feed people. I want to mentor kids. I just want to help. But I've never done these things before. Everytime I walk by a homeless person I would get the urge to give him/her a sandwich or something. I dont because I'm scared? shy? because ive never seen anybody did this b4?

I always had a big heart but Ive been hurt time and time again from family to friends to girlfriends. Maybe thats where my fear stems from...I always ended up being hurt...so now Im really defensive. I want a place that I could give my love out to without getting hurt in return. Could community service be the answer? How do I start? How do I overcome the fear?

Answer 1

A soup kitchen is a great way to start. As you are a volunteer you can do what you are most comfortable with, be it cutting up veggies for a soup, making sandwiches, setting up, cleaning up etc.
You sound like a very nice person and I understand your fears and apprehension. Maybe a friend would be interested in going with you the first time for support.
Most larger cities have a volunteer services organization that you can call and they will tell you what different organizations need your services and you can chose one you think suits you best.
Volunteerism is a great experience, it puts you in contact with people you might never otherwise associate with. You will gain a new understanding of people, be they homeless, handicapped, suffering from mental and physical illness etc. You will grow as a person and have a greater understanding of the world we live in.
Take a deep breath and dive in, the waters always warm.

Answer 2

Stop over-analysing and just give it a go.Try any volunteer work at a drop in centre or homeless crisis centre. If it hurts you in any way or reinforces your initial insecure thoughts then best stay away. Community service is a good place for having your heart broken as you tend to be dealing with people who are in rough circumstances, whether it be drug/alcohol related or homelessness, you are dealing with unstable and sometimes distressed people who care little for your feelings as they are in a bad place and there is a good chance that you may never meet the same person twice, which can be heartbreaking for some. Also, don't expect love from those in need. If you really care, your aim is to help them out and in turn this may help you, but don't expect hugs and kisses but i guarntee you will meet interesting and wonderful people.

Answer 3

start out by volunteering at a larger center where you won't have to get too close or personal with individuals.
i started by volunteering to visit folks in the hospital. i didn't have to make any long term commitment to seeing one person on a regular basis. i just visited whoever the nursing staff felt was lonely or had no one to visit them. most patients were only in for a week or so. i enjoyed chatting with people and i liked knowing i didn't have to be lifelong friends.
its a great way to try out your volunteer skills, and see if you really want to get involved. there isn't much risk of being hurt as every relationship is temporary, and when you feel comfortable enough with that you may want to try something more.
you have total control and that goes a long way in making you feel a little less 'scared' or 'nervous'.
also if you have a well behaved dog, a number of nursing homes will allow volunteer pets to visit their seniors. that way the focus is on the pet and not you - again something to make you feel a little less 'in the spotlight'.
good luck with it! and let us know how you do!

Answer 4

There are a variety of things you can do. It all depends upon your interests. You can make the most impact in your community doing things that you like to do. Your volunteer center can help you find specific community projects and non-profit agencies in your local area to help you make an impact in your community. Many projects can be one-time, or short-term so you can try things out and see which projects you like best.

Here are some links to help you get started:
http://www.handsonnetwork.org/our-network/
http://www.pointsoflight.org/centers/find_center.cfm
http://national.unitedway.org

Through my volunteer center, I tutor children at the library, enrich arts and culture by helping visitors at the local museum, work at the local food bank, children's shelter, and clean our neighborhoods, parks, and beaches. There's a lot more different projects that your volunteer center can help you find in your local area.

Good luck!

Answer 5

At my local mall, we have a community service information building. Do you have someting like that is your area? Just check your local yellow pages under communit service and call around. Oh yes...don't be afraid to bring along a friend or a family member. The more, the merrier.

Answer 6

What interests you? What are you good at? Those are questions that will help you choose what type of community service best fits you. To help you find a place to start, talk to the director of a homeless shelter, your local Red Cross chapter are all great places to start. I spread my time between my amateur radio club and CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams). Find what you are good at let that big heart of yours be your guide ! :-)

Answer 7

in case you will come across a place to do it who supply you that many hours, confident. yet it is often as much as you. of course if human beings artwork forty hours in a week, you're able to do 25 hours a week. in the event that they have limited you to issues like rubbish pickup on the edge of the line, you will no longer discover sufficient hours. yet in lots of situations there are a number of different issues you're able to do, such as volunteering for a non-income enterprise. of direction, it relies upon on your crime. If it includes stealing or different honesty themes, places would be much less keen to have you ever. communicate on your probation officer or criminal expert approximately recommendations.

Answer 8

Find something that really interests you. You don't have to do anything that's outside your comfort zone. Go on Volunteer Match on the web to to find something that suits your interests and personality.