IDEAS ON WHERE I SHOULD volunteer?

Question

over the summer, i decided to volunteer at a children's hospital for kids with cancer. it was a moving experience because it made me really humble and appreciate what i have. i loved spending time with the children there and making them smile. i went in there trying to inspire them, but they inspired me. im 16 but i really enjoy volunteering..any suggestions what i should do next?

ex: nursing home etc

Answer 1

Find what you have a passion for, and then do that.  It may be children, but you may want to see if the elderly holds the same appeal.  Also, use this time to find a career field. You can see what makes you the happiest and then find that similarity in a career.  

I was a counselor, a public affairs person, a TV announcer, a journalist, and now retired, I work as a volunteer at a local hospital.  I also write the newsletter for them, and recently took on a mentoring position.  They all go along with the love I have for words, and communicating.  My passion:  the English language...my career field, my volunteer work and my retirement activities.  

You will find your niche, just follow your heart.  Congratulations that you want to help others. It is a wonderful thing to give oneself to another to love them unconditionally, isn't it?

Answer 2

Since you enjoy working with kids, work with kids.  You're old enough to be a candy striper.  Maybe you can arrange to spend the summer in the ped (pediatric) ward.

Answer 3

Sunshine, it's hard to know what to advise when I don't even know in which country you live.  However, as a general principle - go where your heart leads you.  Congratulations on your community attitude with regard to volunteering, and you will find it enormously rewarding whatever field you try.  If you still don't know what to do, try contacting your local city/shire government office and see if they have any volunteer operated organisations.  You can also contact your national volunteering body (Volunteering Australia in this country) - check the Internet - to give you ideas.  One very needy area in Australia is that of elderly people living alone.  Great to be able to go visit people on a regular basis.  You will need a Police Clearance though, and if you do a children's hospital again you will need a Working With Children Check if you are in Australia.  Good Luck.