How to Find Youth Volunteer Opportunities to Increase a Child's Skills

A Youth Volunteer Group

A good way for children and teens to develop responsibility, independence, teamwork and work ethics early on is to find youth volunteer opportunities for them. There are many youth volunteering opportunities available and some places take a youth volunteer as early as age 13, while others may require ages a bit older, and yet others have opportunities for younger children. Youth volunteer services can provide your child with a chance to learn more about a field that they may be interested in; providing them with experience and knowledge that may be beneficial later on. It also provides them with an opportunity to find out what would truly interest them in the long run. Here are a few ideas for volunteering opportunities your child may be interested in.

Instructions

1. BE A YOUTH VOLUNTEER WITH ANIMALS & NATURE
   There are many animal shelters in most areas, so if your child likes animals, consider checking out the youth volunteer opportunities that your local animal shelters may have. When my daughter was 13, she and I teamed up to do volunteer services at a local cat shelter. We both love cats and have a few of our own at home, but working in a shelter provided us with more information about caring for cats. She also learned how important taking full responsibility for pet ownership is, including maintaining the environment in which the animals are kept. As a note, I would use careful consideration about euthanization of animals in some of the shelters, as this may be a devastating issue for your child to deal with.

   Also check with your local nature centers and aquariums, and wildlife refuges and veterinary clinics for volunteering opportunities for your youth volunteer. Garden centers and nurseries may offer some community volunteer opportunities which would be good for a child who is interested in botany or earth sciences.

2. FIND A VOLUNTEER PROGRAM WORKING WITH SENIORS & PEOPLE IN NEED
   If your child is more of a people person, then consider placing them in a volunteer program within a seniors living facility. Though some seniors may be overwhelming for your child to be around, others may provide an enjoyable interactive connection for your child. Also check with hospitals for possible available volunteer services available. Call your local hospital or senior homes; or look up their online sites to seek out community volunteer options that may have available. Homeless shelters also love to have people who are willing to join in their volunteer services to help serve food and work in the kitchen or do cleaning.

   Thrift stores are also great place to provide volunteer services for helping out around the store. Thrift stores typically use their sales to support an organization, and the volunteering opportunities also provide a bit of retail experience for the youth volunteer.

   Your child may enjoy interacting less with people, but still may want to be helpful to others. They can be a community volunteer by helping with clothing or food drives. This helps children to understand the needs of others who have fallen to hardships and how we can do something to be helpful to others. I used to have my daughter not open and save her toys from her kids meals when she was younger, and we would donate them to "Toys for Tots" at Christmas time each year. Being a community volunteer can be as simple as this!

3. FIND VOLUNTEER SERVICES IN EDUCATION & MEDIA
   Libraries often have volunteering opportunities. Opportunities for a youth volunteer usually does not include much shelving or helping library patrons; but they may help out with other opportunities such as cleaning shelves and books, mending broken books, and helping out with story-time activities. Contact your library to find out what kind of youth volunteer program is available for your child.

   Many communities offer some type of historical or art related museums in the area. Why not see what kind of volunteering opportunities may be available within a museum?

   Older kids may really enjoy being a part of a volunteer program within cable access. Most communities have a local cable access station where your child may find opportunities within the field of video and television production.

4. SEEK MORE VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES
   If your child has a specific interest, find a local organization that works within that field of interest and make inquiries whether they may have any volunteering opportunities available for your youth volunteer.

   A local "Volunteer Center" will often have a list of organizations that offer volunteering opportunities in your area. If you can not find a volunteer center in your area, try contacting your local chamber and ask to speak to the volunteer director or the volunteer coordinator to see if there's an organization that offers a youth volunteer program in your area.

   Your child can take on the responsibility of putting together their own youth volunteer services. Encourage them to start a community clean up group with their friends and pick up trash at the local schools, parks or neighborhoods. Have them learn and share responsible earth care, pet care and animal rights as a group. They can team together to promote earth day activities, healthier lunch and snack options in schools, and so much more. The options are truly endless, so allow your child to get creative and interactive as a community volunteer!

Tips & Warnings

• Find youth volunteer services that are of interest to your child.

• Teach them early on about helping the community, by finding volunteering opportunities that you can do together.