Giving back to the community, building your resume, feeling good about yourself, learning new skills or performing court-appointed community service---these are some reasons people search for volunteer opportunities. Whatever your reason may be, you will find it's easy to find a place to volunteer since many organizations welcome volunteers of all ages and educational backgrounds.
According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, there is a strong relationship between volunteering and health. Volunteers have "lower mortality rates, greater functional ability, and lower rates of depression." The more hours you put into volunteering, the more health benefits you will receive.
Finding Volunteer Opportunities
Step 1
Check websites that match you to volunteer opportunities around your area. A few websites are GetInvolved.gov, Volunteer.gov and VolunteerMatch.org. These websites match you to local volunteer opportunities involving your area of interest.
Step 2
Contact your local hospital. Hospitals will often have a variety of clerical duties for those interested in volunteering. Volunteers may also chaperone patients to their designated areas within the hospital.
Step 3
Gather the names of non-profit organizations in your area. Some familiar non-profit organizations are Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill Industries, American Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and Big Brother Big Sister of America. These types of organizations often have volunteer opportunities available.
Step 4
Volunteer at your local humane society. Humane societies are always looking for volunteers to exercise dogs, clean cages and feed the animals.
Step 5
Visit a nursing home. Nursing home residents are often lonely, so volunteers provide them with a chance to socialize through activities such as talking, playing cards, and putting together puzzles.
Step 6
Check volunteer opportunities at a place of worship, which often need help maintaining the yard, washing windows and pews, and performing clerical duties. In addition, some places may have travel opportunities, such as on missionary trips.
Step 7
Contact a homeless shelter. Homeless shelters will either have jobs for you within the shelter or they will be able to tell you about opportunities that help the homeless in your area, such as food drives.
Step 8
Talk to your local fire department. Often times, they will need volunteer firefighters.
Step 9
Decide if you're willing to travel. If you don't mind traveling, a few organizations you can volunteer with include Peace Corps, Teach for America, and Greenpeace.
Tips and Warnings
- According to Peace Corps, when traveling across seas, a person should learn locally appropriate behaviors and use good judgment to minimize health and safety risks. Be sure all your vaccinations are up to date before leaving overseas. Show good work ethic while volunteering---you may be able to use your experience as a volunteer to get references in the future or possibly become eligible for a paid job within the organization at a later date.
- Traveling to developing countries has risks of injury or death because of possible unsanitary conditions, illnesses and diseases, and areas of questionable safety. Volunteer firefighters are exposed to extreme heats and have a risk of being burned or inhaling hazardous smoke. Hospitals, homeless shelters and even nursing homes are regularly exposed to people with illnesses, so take precautions by washing your hands often and washing your clothes when you go home. If you work with animals while volunteering, be aware that you are increasing your risk of being bitten or scratched.
Things You'll Need
- Phone
- Computer with internet connection
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