Volunteer Families Volunteer Shelter Homlessness
Family volunteering helps bring unity to the community. It can be a win-win situation for children, the community, and the family circle. When a family focuses in on a volunteer project together it can create a deeper bond. Volunteering connects children to their communities in a more involved way, as they realize volunteering brings personal satisfaction. It also lays a foundation toward learning good citizenship.
When children realize, "I can make a difference," their spirit soars with self-confidence. Children tend to become happier, and studies have shown they are far less likely to engage in risk-taking behaviors while growing up. They learn true compassion, a deeper sense of personal dignity, self-worth and team spirit.
The very nature of family volunteering brings a family many new benefits.. For one thing, they gain much-needed valuable quality time by spending time together. Having a family volunteer project does not have to drain the pocketbook. In fact, it is not so much the money that is needed in charitable work, as it is the helping hands.
So, how can parents choose a volunteer family project to support? A good way to start is by having a family "think tank" meeting, and a "test drive" before selecting which nonprofit fits the family best. First, gather up lots of literature from organizations from within your community. Let all family members help select the one that the majority are interested in, and then give it a try.
Volunteering Ideas and Resources:
The Hungry and Homeless
• The face of homelessness has changed drastically due to a weakened economy, higher foreclosure rates and job losses. Families with children are having to live in temporary shelters. The Volunteer Family organization estimates that approximately 1% of the US population will be homeless at any given time of the year. Nearly 40% are children. There are countless ways to volunteer at, or for, your nearest shelter. Donating usable clothing and other household items a family no longer needs, always helps others in need.
Our Furry Friends:
• Pet shelters are almost always overcrowded, and understaffed due to budget cuts. Families who can provide foster care are a huge help. This keeps pets socialized until they can get a permanent home. Other, just as important ways to help are: a pet food drive, making posters for pets and place them in community, grooming and cleaning cages, collecting, host a pet party for pet toys, pet food, blankets, pet beds, grooming tools, leashes, and donate gifts to local shelter.
The Elderly:
- Nursing home directors always appreciate volunteer families to help entertain the residents. Adopt a grandparent from a senior citizen's group, and help by running errands, doing household chores, yard work, planting flowers, include them in family outings. clip usable coupons, play board games, bake a cake and mostly, be a good friend they can reasonably count on.
Host a Foreign Student:
• Can your family host an international student? The requirements are that a family can afford to room and board a student. The student will have their own pocket money and health insurance is provided. This is a great way for a family to learn about a new culture, have fun introducing the student to the American way of life, and giving the whole family a chance to grow in so many ways by giving of time, energy and sharing. Host students are closely screened, and deeply appreciate a friendly, family experience in a different country. This is a wonderful learning experience for all. Single parent families can also host foreign students.
Earth and Environment:
• Families volunteering to help clean up our earth and environment are needed more today than ever before. Volunteer families can ask officials for permission to plant flowers in common public areas. Make a family project of learning how to recycle. Make a family project by learning and applying ways to conserve energy. Some neighbors have joined a program, "Adopt a Highway." By keeping the litter picked up along neighborhood roads, it not only cleans the area but adds to the value of the neighborhood. Cleaning can be contagious from neighbor to neighbor. Plenty of physical benefits too, sunshine and exercise by helping our earth and environment.
Fundraisers for Charity:
• There are many non-profit agencies who are underfunded due to budget cuts and lack of volunteer staff. Have your family choose a charity and make a goal to raise funds to help support it.. Bake sales, yard sales, door-to-door collections, advertising by making and placing up posters are a few ways to start getting involved. Kids have great ideas too. Let them contribute outgrown toys and clothes to include in a yard sale. The fun is in the thinking, planning, sharing, caring and giving. Family volunteering is a win-win situation for everyone involved.
Family volunteering is a big boost in opening up family conversations, especially with teens. Children better understand empathy, compassion, the benefits of being a contributing citizen, and they learn lifelong lasting values when volunteering right along side of their parents. Parents praise their children's efforts and faces light up. What might seem to be minor moments, add up to major memories. Volunteering families feel good about themselves, and they have every right to!
Volunteer Resources:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "Environmental Kids Club"
The volunteer Family
United Way
Foreign Student Exchange
