How to Recruit Teen Volunteers for Community Service Projects
Non-profits are always in need of extra assistance. Luckily, teenagers are usually in need of a community service project. If you work with a human service agency and are in need of volunteers, asking teens to help out cold provide you with an endless supply of hands and hearts for your projects.
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Instructions
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Determine which jobs you need assistance with for your community service project and which ones could be carried out by teenagers.
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Contact high schools, teen organizations and churches in your area and set up a meeting with teen group advisors. If your project focuses on a specific cultural or political concern, perhaps arrange some kind of extra credit for the teenagers by speaking with school administrators.
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Explain what your project entails and the purpose of the project. Be prepared with time and date information, as well as how many teens you will need and for how long. Answer questions such as what time you need them to arrive, when they can leave and the dress requirements.
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Appeal to the teens by arranging to speak to the group members about your cause. Be prepared to answer questions.
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Have the teenager's parents sign the appropriate permission forms with the school and your organization.
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On the day of the community service, have a senior volunteer or staff member available to coordinate the teen's efforts. The supervisor should be readily available to the teens while they are assisting you in case of any questions or problems.
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Tips & Warnings
Organizations such as the National Honors Society are required to perform hours of community service each year.
Girl/Boy Scouts of America perform community service projects.
Many churches have youth groups which perform community service projects.
Some court programs require teens that have had minor legal problems to perform community service projects and some teen rehab programs permit teens in their programs to do community service projects. Offering teens who have had previous problems to assist with projects that serve their community can be mutually beneficial to the teens and the community.
Contact the advisors well in advance of the event to ensure you can recruit enough teens for your event. Do not wait until the last minute.
