NWR: Volunteering

JCbride2015 · January 2015

As we move into the new year, I'm reevaluating how volunteering fits into my life. I had established activities as a student but now work is so demanding I don't have a lot of time. I'm working on my own pro bono case at work (juvenile justice and I love it), and doing a couple of one-off legal workshops. But it doesn't feel so much like volunteering to me because of course I'm still salaried at work while I'm doing these things. I've thought about volunteering with a literacy program in NYC, as long as I can do early morning classes, or becoming a Big Sister. I'm leaning toward Big Sister because it can be a little more flexible and I love working with kids.

How do you all volunteer, or how would you like to volunteer this year? What causes are important to you?

Jen4948 · January 2015

You might look into a program called New York Cares. It's a volunteer program for many different projects.

Jells2dot0 · January 2015

I have often been overwhelmed by work, having to put in well more than 40 hours/week or working 6 days a week. So, I shifted to providing monetary donations to causes important to me. With my life changing this past year, I'll look into becoming involved with cancer organizations. I will probably wait until I move, as it will also be a good way to integrate and network in my new town.

Cookie Pusher · January 2015

We do a fair amount of volunteering, both actively and passively. Toys for Tots is one of the biggest volunteer projects DH and I participate in - a group he is a part of runs a train 4 days in December to collect toys. DH rides the train and helps to collect/count/pack the toys to give to the Marines while I handle photography at the train stops and make food for the folks on the train. This group also does a lot of other military/veterans events where DH participates and I usually end up providing them with food. They also hold fundraising events so they can donate money to other charity groups.

DH volunteers at the NYC marathon every year and is active with the Boy Scouts of America. Many of the car events that we attend also directly benefit different charities. My volunteering took a backseat to the wedding in 2014, but I want to go back to coordinating breast cancer/women's health events.

novella1186 · January 2015

I volunteered with the humane society in my home town for around 12 years, and then started organizing and hosting fundraising events for them. Now that I don't live in that area anymore, I've looked into being a foster parent again for the animal shelter here, except that we're renting the house we live in so I'm sure the landlord wouldn't allow it. I just have to wait till we buy a house, whenever that happens

I've done Meals on Wheels, some random stuff with our synagogue, adopting families, community gardens, and miscellaneous stuff like that, but the cause that always seems to have my heart is the humane society.

I tried doing Big Sister several years ago and they never got back to me after I filled out the application. The whole thing was weird and it seemed like the branch where I lived was just super disorganized. But it seems like it could be such a great thing to be involved in. I remember the older "kids" I hung around when I was little, and they had a huge influence on me. Luckily it was a positive influence, and even all these years later it means a lot to me. Ya know, a kind word, some encouragement, a trip to the library, some advice, whatever. And I had two nannies plus both my parents were around so it's not like I was underprivileged, so I can't even imagine how much it would mean to kids who don't necessarily have all those adults in their lives to have a Big Sister. I'm sure it would have such a huge-- and lasting-- impact.

WinstonsGirl · January 2015

I used to do more, but work and other things have taken over. I do coach cheer and volleyball, but it's at my school, so somewhat tied in with my job. I still see that as my part though, as 75+ kids wouldn't be on these teams if I didn't coach/organize them.

I've also volunteered at the local kids triathlon for the past 3 years, but it's cos my SIL was running it and we all got voluntold. We plan to be busy next summer if she's doing it again as we have to be up at 5am to be there on time. Ugh.

KytchynWitche · January 2015

I would love to volunteer! But this is another area where SA kinda sucks. As a country, we're big on "donation" charities and less big on "volunteer" charities - and the few programs I know of that fall in the latter category are church-run, which kinda excludes them for me, being a pretty vehement atheist. I'd probably have more luck finding something non-religious if I was in a major city center, but alas, I am "in the middle of nowhere and nothing".

I think I should swing by the library once its open again and see if I can't get some sort of Reading Hour thing going.

ETA: I really feel like literacy is a big problem here. The current government is actively destroying our education system in an effort to keep the general public "stupid". Obviously it's important to make sure that the underprivileged are taken care of physically with food, shelter, clothing etc., but we really can't hope for the situation to improve if we're not also taking care of their minds.

larrygaga · January 2015

I'm technically a social worker so at the end of the day, I am way too done with people to volunteer. Since I am a geriatric therapist, I guess I support the old folks most. I mean, someone has to! I most recently (like start of the year) volunteered with the MDA. I did it for school stuff and not out of the good of my heart. I have a black heart.

blabla89 · January 2015

Homeless outreach is something I care a lot about. FI and I lead a monthly resume writing workshop at a local homeless shelter, which I love because I get to hear all the clients' stories and encourage them. At the December workshop one of our previous clients came back to tell us he got a job and was going to be able to see his daughter for Christmas. I also volunteer providing childcare at a shelter for women and children while the moms take a Financial Foundations class, but I'm not great with kids.

flutteringinfl · January 2015

I want to do some volunteering. FI just started volunteering at a local community center that serves at-risk youth. He's only done one day so far but he absolutely loves it. I'll probably contact the local library and see if they need anyone.

ShellD13 · January 2015

H and I's second date was at a Soup Kitchen. That is when I knew he was a keeper. I had already volunteered with my study group but I had forgotten to list in on my calendar then planned a date with BF. When I was reminded about the soup kitchen obligation, I called BF and apologized but told him I'd have to cancel our date because I'd already made a commitment elsewhere. He responded "Not a problem I'll go too..." I was OOS at the time so he drove 2 hours to have dinner with me and work his butt off in a soup kitchen. It was an awesome date and four years later H and I still volunteer at a soup kitchen in our new location as often as possible. We have even tossed around the idea of driving back to my old home state and volunteering in the original soup kitchen for our 1st anniversary. :-)

JCbride2015 · January 2015

larrygaga said:

I'm technically a social worker so at the end of the day, I am way too done with people to volunteer. Since I am a geriatric therapist, I guess I support the old folks most. I mean, someone has to! I most recently (like start of the year) volunteered with the MDA. I did it for school stuff and not out of the good of my heart. I have a black heart.

Confession: when I worked in Teach for America, I was the same way. I did basically zero outside volunteer activities beyond my school and the organization. I felt like my life was service so I was really done with it by the end of the day! And I think that's fine.

wandajune6 · January 2015

My boss is on the board of directors for a low/no cost health center system in the area that DH grew up. Through her, I end up doing a lot of volunteering. I tend to do project-specific work- I've taken over managing their website, help with administrative duties, and participate in fundraising efforts.

I used to volunteer at a youth literacy program. I miss doing that but haven't found a program in my area that has hours I can fit into my life. Or, more specifically, the only one I have found I'm banned from- the kid refuses to let me do anything at his school. And I respect that.

princessofgenovia · January 2015

I've volunteered at Planned Parenthood when I was in college. It was a really small office and they didn't have a lot of staff so they'd bring in volunteers to do things like filing. Now that I live in the big city, I pretty much just write them a check (they don't need office help as much).

I've done work with a battered woman's shelter, a center for LGBTQ youth, our local pride orginization, Aunt Rita's house, and two small local theater companies. I volunteer with one of the theaters regularly and honestly it's because what they need me for I can do from home or work. It makes it easier for me to not have to go down somewhere, I can squeeze it it in better.

I always want to volunteer with like an animal rescue, but I know I'll just end up trying to adopt all the animals. So I donate blankets, toys, and things our humane society and other rescues in the area. Helps the animals and means I don't try to adopt 11 dogs and 15 cats.

larrygaga · January 2015

JCbride2015 said:

larrygaga said:

I'm technically a social worker so at the end of the day, I am way too done with people to volunteer. Since I am a geriatric therapist, I guess I support the old folks most. I mean, someone has to! I most recently (like start of the year) volunteered with the MDA. I did it for school stuff and not out of the good of my heart. I have a black heart.

Confession: when I worked in Teach for America, I was the same way. I did basically zero outside volunteer activities beyond my school and the organization. I felt like my life was service so I was really done with it by the end of the day! And I think that's fine.

That's kinda how I feel and I justify it with the shitty pay!

pinkcow13 · January 2015

I volunteer through my job. My job is huge on volunteering, so there are always tons of opportunities. I considered being a Big Sister before, and I may consider doing it later this year.

I am a co-leader with a friend of mine at work of a volunteer initiative we began about 2 years ago. We work with a group of HS girls and run a series of monthly workshops for them. We didn't get to do it last semester, but we try to do it both semesters. At the end of the summer, around the beginning of the school year, we take them on a day trip during the winter.

That is my main volunteer gig. I also do various things as the year goes by, such as volunteering with the AIDS walk, or an annual dinner/dance for seniors at Lenox Hill hospital.

I really want to get involved with volunteering with animals, too.

buttercup1958 · January 2015

I haven't done much volunteering since I've been in school and working. But when I was younger, I use to volunteer on earth day for about 8 years. The environment was and still is very important to me. When I get done with schooling, I would like to volunteer for earth day, and animal shelters. I also would love to help out people and the mental healthcare situation somehow. I feel like our healthcare system is broken and we need to fix it.

JennyColada · January 2015

I used to volunteer quite a bit at the food bank. It was kind of fun to me to sort all the donations (but also disgusting at times).

I signed up to volunteer at the library (just as front desk though) and at the local animal shelter, but both wanted extensive trainings and strict hourly weekly commitments that I just can't do so both have fallen by the wayside.

sarawifenow · January 2015

I volunteer at a local animal shelter walking dogs and giving loving to kitties. So far I love it and I look forward to it as "me time". I am able to forget about everyone/everything else and just concentrate on what I am doing in the moment.

holyguacamole79 · January 2015

I volunteer at my church. H and I both teach RCIA (the class you take to become Catholic) and we teach the teenagers. That has been one of my favorite passions for about 10 years now.

I've considered becoming a court advocate for children. We'll see.

flyingfoxes · January 2015

We have a local charity at work that we support, a transitional housing organization. So I've done some volunteering at work for that.

doeydo · January 2015

I'd like to start volunteering at an animal shelter or veterinary clinic this year.

Inkdancer · January 2015

I'm working with my church to get a program going for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. There are no programs for that in my part of the county right now. (Anyone who wants help has to go at least 30 minutes by car from my area, which takes several hours on our crappy public transit)

NWR: Volunteering

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