YOUTH MAKING A DIFFERENCE
WHAT YOU CAN DO
What does it take to get a teen to volunteer? Just ask! According to Youth Service America, most teen volunteers helped out a cause or service because they were asked to, and most volunteered with people they know - friends, teachers, coaches, family, etc.
- Make a list of the service organizations, causes, and elementary schools in your community and find out what their needs are for volunteers.
- Get the word out to friends, teachers, classmates, coaches, and parents about volunteering opportunities.
- Pick a cause to donate your time to. You can do it individually, with a small group, or with a large group (make it a SADD chapter event).
- Nail down the date, time, and place for volunteering and show up (on time, of course!).
- Have fun! Volunteering will help you learn more about your community and about yourself.
Volunteer suggestions:
- Form a mentoring group of high school students for elementary students. Mentors can help with homework, play games, be a role model, and spend quality time with younger students.
- Read to senior citizens . Brighten up a senior's day by visiting and spending time with him/her.
- Clean up your neighborhood and/or community . Is there too much junk and trash around? Help pick it up. Organize a group to go out and take care of local eyesores.
- Feed the animals . Local farms, animal shelters, and veterinary hospitals could probably use help feeding and grooming their four-legged friends.
- Organize a food and/or clothing drive . Members of your community need help year-round, not just during the holidays.
- Collect books and class items for schools . Ask businesses for pens, pencils, notebooks, rulers, tape, etc., and ask community members for used books for gift baskets for schools that could use some extra supplies.
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