YOUTH VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS around NY?

Question

I am currently a sohpomore in high scool, and I feel that it is a high time to get more involved around the community. I was wondering whether there was a volunteer organization around Latham, New York that gives teens an opportunity to become more involved locally. I have been searching on the internet and have been quite overwhelmed by the countless number of volunteer programs that I found on line. However, vounteering in one organization and then lurching to another is not something that I want to do. Is there a strong, fairly well known organization in which I could gain membership and volunteer steadily for the next two to three years, preferably around Latham, Troy, or Schenectedy New York?I am getting slightly desperate here, and I would really appreciate your help!:)

Answer 1

See if your local American Red Cross Chapter has a program for teens. Some do, some don't.

Answer 2

Since you already know where to look for volunteering opportunities online, and are "overwhelmed" by all of the opportunities you found, I won't repeat the list here of places to find volunteering opportunities.

I don't know why, however, you think you will be volunteering in one organization then lurching to another if you use these online search engines. Here's what should happen: you pick an opportunity that looks good online and you apply. Actually, you will need to apply for several, because, just like finding a job, it takes a while to "make the cut" for a volunteering opportunity. When you are chosen, you go do the assignment. And if you are successful in the assignment, and if you enjoy it, you will find that there are many more things you can do at the organization, opportunities that are NOT posted on the Internet, opportunities that are reserved for those volunteers that prove to be reliable and the organization would like to see more of.

True, you may volunteer at an organization and find you don't like it. That does happen. But that's why most of the opportunities online are short-term -- to make sure both you and the organization are happy before a bigger investment by you and the organization is made.