I want to go volunteer in New Orleans & Big Bro. in Kansas City****PLEASE READ THIS!!!!?

Question

First off thanks to all that took the time to read this--I know its WAY late, but recently I have had somethings change my life and my way of thinking, and I would really like to make a difference in someones life. even if its just one person. I will pay for all of my food, hotel, airfare, etc, but even though I have dicked off every opp. that has been given to me (and there are plenty that I was just to stupid to take advantage of) I want to make a difference in someones life. i dont care what i do. i will shovel **** or help frame a house, I will cook food (im a trained Chef) for a 1,000 or 1 family. I want to do something with my life that actually makes a difference. I DO NOT WANT RECOGNITION!!! i just want to make someones life better. IF YOU NEED MY HELP TELL ME. I dont have anything money wise (sorry) but all i want to do is help. there is nothing fake about this or me. im just a 30 yr old that wants to help others help themselves. the greatest gift is giving back. please let me

Answer 1

Wow, I think it's so wonderful you've decided to give back to others.  First thing is to match you with the perfect volunteering opportunity:

Volunteering in general is about matching your areas of skill to a particular service need. Are you good with htlm or computers for example? There are a lot of volunteer opportunities you could take part in then right over your computer and right from home. Do a search for "on-line volunteering."

Do you like animals? Try local animal shelters and veterinary clinics, maybe even 4H.

Do you like children? Try local shelters, orphanages, Big Brothers/Big Sisters programs.

Do you want to work with people? How about soup kitchens, homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, etc?

My husband and I have found a great charity called the Box Project.  It's a charity that was started by a Maine housewife in the 60's who met Corretta Scott King on a plane. Mrs. King told her about the poverty-stricken families living in the Mississippi delta region and gave her the name and address of one family in need.

It has since grown to include thousands upon thousands of families helping families. You sign up on the website, pay 50 dollars a year to help with administrative costs, then you are sent the name and address of one family in need. Each month you send that family a letter and a box (hence the name box project) filled with everyday household items they need. You communicate one-on-one with that family, there is no red tape or "middle man" and everything you send goes directly to that family.

Sometimes it's really daunting to think about trying to help everyone in poverty. It can be overwhelming and depressing. What I like about this project is that it brings it home to you, you are helping just one family, you are communicating with them and sharing your life with them, and they with you. We may not ever be able to lift everyone out of poverty, but we can help just one family. I find it to be a very fulfilling charity to work with.

http://www.boxproject.org/

I just recently found another great site: http://www.dontalmostgive.org/

It's a comprehensive list of charities and volunteer opportunities listed by type.  I hope you find something you can enjoy doing for several years to come.  Best wishes to you!

Answer 2

If you are interested in volunteering with Big Brothers in Kansas City, then give them a call and talk to them about the process you will need to go through to be considered for that role.

For volunteering anywhere in the USA, including New Orleans, use any or all of these web sites:

VolunteerMatch, http://www.volunteermatch.org

Idealist, http://www.idealist.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/

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

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

If you want to be a volunteer to help with the consequences of a natural disaster, such as Hurricane Katrina, you need to register and prepare NOW. Here's a web site where you can register and start your preparation so that you can help the next time disaster strikes:

http://www.helpindisaster.org/