i want to be more active and helping with people in need..?

Question

is there any organizations or programs a teenager can join and help out in?? maybe go to other countries and help??

Answer 1

VolunteerMatch (http://www.volunteermatch.org), Idealist (http://www.idealist.org) and CraigsList (http://www.craigslist.com) all list volunteering opportunities with thousands of organizations. These are great places to look for volunteering opportunities. Also, contact your local volunteer center; you can find this via the Points of Light Foundation web site.

For going overseas, teenagers and other unskilled workers have the option of paying for "volunteer vacation"-type experiences. There is a listing of the more-than-30 member organizations of the International Volunteers Program Association (IVPA) that is a good place to find reputable volunteer-for-a-fee programs.
http://www.volunteerinternational.org/

Answer 2

In high school: Key Club.
At the college level: Circle K.
After that: Kiwanis.
These are long standing organizations dedicated to community service. As vice president of my high school's Key Club, I have been given the opportunity to be involved in beach cleanups, a community recycling program, a dance event for the county special needs students, and myriad other activites. If you want to get involved, become involved in one of these organizations.

Answer 3

That's fantastic that you want to make a difference - the world needs more people like you!!

As far as how to help -- you could start a chapter with 'Free the Children', an organization started by Craig Kielburger in 1995 when he was 12 years old. His organization has grown by leaps and bounds and they are now the "largest network of children helping children through education in the world". Their website is http://www.freethechildren.org

Craig's been on the Oprah show a couple of times and now Craig and Oprah partnered to form 'O Ambassadors'. Sounds like the same thing as a Free the Children chapter. Info on this is at http://www.oambassadors.org

You could also have your friends or classroom raise money through World Vision's 30-hour famine. World Vision is a fantastic organization that works throughout the world. I don't know what country you're from. World Vision's website in Canada is http://www.worldvision.ca and information on the 30-hour famine is at http://www.worldvision.ca/wvfamine/Pages/30-Hour-Famine.aspx Their website in the United States is http://www.worldvision.org and info on the 30-hour famine is at http://www.30hourfamine.org/?lid=267&lpos=top_drp_30HFamine

They also have a gift catalogue so, for example, $50 would provide all the basic supplies for a classroom.

Free the Children has a related Leadership Academy where they do offer trips to several countries, including Kenya. For Kenya they recommend being at least 14 years old, however for school groups there is no minimum age requirement. Before going overseas with them, they recommend taking their 'Take Action! Academy', which is week-long and takes place in Toronto. I took a group of teens from the Middle East to this academy and it was absolutely incredible! The website is http://www.leaderstoday.com/

Also, Craig and his brother Marc have written books, including one called "Me to We" and "The Making of an Activist". Details at http://www.metowe.org and there you can also sign up for a youth edition newsletter. In addition, I recommend you read Craig's first book, called "Free the Children" about when he was 13 years old and went around Asia to learn about child labour - and even met with Canada's prime minister there. Info on this book is on the Free the Children website (http://www.freethechildren.org...

I've done a lot of volunteering abroad in various regions of the world, including African countries. I highly, highly, highly recommend it! I get so much back from these experiences that I call it my selfish work :-) There are many organizations that arrange these experiences, and prices vary according to where they are based, how large they are are, what they provide, how long you are going for, etc. etc. It is best to go with a reputable organization - at least for your first time abroad doing this.

Here are websites that give thousands of opportunities:
http://www.volunteerabroad.com
http://www.transitionsabroad.com
http://www.idealist.org

Most of them have a minimum age of 18 years, however if you go with a parent there are some that allow teens.

All the very best to you in your important endeavour!

Answer 4

Well if you're in school, go ask your counselor about community service opportunities. You could see if your local library has a volunteer program.

Answer 5

www.thepencilproject.com

It's easy and perfect for you! Our school did it and collected over 5,000 pencils for needy kids!