How can I get started volunteering?

Question

I was thinking about volunteering at an animal shelter or pound. i found a great place (animal sanctuary) where i would be able to walk, play, and train with the dogs [with a legal guardian's consent] there BUT its 40+ minutes away. I found one thats only 5 miles from my house, so I will be calling there later to find out details.

I love volunteering even if its just talking to elderly people and I would like to start doing it more often, so how do i start?

Im homeschooled for the rest of this year and don't go to church :\ im 14 years old.

Answer 1

I am 15 years old and i volunteer a lot. Try the Nursing home!!!!! it my sound gross, but from my experience there, it was awesome. All they want is someone to talk to.  Also try the Local Library, they always love extra help. I aslo help at a wildlife preserve. You will always be busy if you vounteer there.

Answer 2

Good places to look for volunteering opportunities at many different organizations in your area:

VolunteerMatch, http://www.volunteermatch.org

Idealist, http://www.idealist.org

HandsOn Network, http://www.handsonnetwork.org/

Change.org, http://www.change.org

CraigsList, http://www.craigslist.com

Network for Good, http://www.networkforgood.org

http://www.1-800-volunteer.org/

ServeNet, http://servenet.org/

If you see an organization that you would like to help, but don't see a volunteering opportunity posted by that organization, it's okay to call them and say you would like to volunteer -- they may have opportunities they haven't posted. Also, many organizations are open to your own suggestions for volunteering activities.

Also, contact your local volunteer center; you can find this via the Points of Light Foundation web site,

http://www.pointsoflight.org/centers/

There's also this government sponsored site, http://volunteer.gov/gov/ which provides volunteer positions through USA federal land agencies like Fish & Wildlife, Forest Service, National Parks, etc.

Remember that finding a volunteering gig can be like finding a job: you may have to interview several times before you are chosen for an assignment.

NetAid has programs specifically for high school students in North America who want to help in the developing world. NetAid is now a part of MeryCorps

http://www.netaid.org

TakingIT Global is another resource for young people in the USA who want to do something to affect the situation positively in developing countries

http://www.takingitglobal.org/

Answer 3

There are tons of places to volunteer, nursing homes, animal shelters, hospitals, etc. Just start calling up whichever ones interest you and ask about age requirements, and some have basic experience requirments. I used to volunteer a t a horse barn when I was about your age, they specialized in riding lessons for kids and adults with cognitive and physical disabilities. It was a lot of fun, but it takes a lot of patience.

Answer 4

Well, it sounds like you have opportunities all set up and all you need to do is get off this addictive website and get going!!!  Good luck and good for you.