Community Service Opportunities
Are you ready to start your HOBY Leadership for Service Challenge?
Every community needs young volunteers who pitch in and help out. Whether it’s joining a graffiti paint-out in your neighborhood park, organizing a food drive in your high school gym, or yard clean-up at a senior citizen’s home, all of these activities take people like you—volunteers who are willing to donate their time to help others. Below are a list of volunteer networks and a sampling of organizations already serving the community that would welcome your help! Once you choose your project and begin your service create your username and password and begin logging your hours.
A is for Africa
A is for Africa is a student-led non-profit organization – one of the fastest growing in the country! They’re kids trying to make a difference for others. They plan to raise enough money in the upcoming year to provide those in Africa with a school and an education. Students are leading this entire project! They are searching for dedicated, passionate members who aren't afraid to be heard and can lead the members of their state or region. Visit their website, or email Molly Smith at molly@aisforafrica.org.
American Red Cross
As a Red Cross volunteer, you can organize other teens and young adults in your community by forming a Red Cross club to support national and international Red Cross programs, become part of the Red Cross disaster response team at your chapter, or become involved with other service learning projects. Whatever you decide to do, there is something meaningful for you! To become involved or to learn more contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross, or visit www.redcross.org.
America’s Promise – The Alliance for Youth
The goal of the 5 Promises Ambassadors Network is to engage hundreds of young people across the United States in service and leadership around the Five Promises. The network includes young people between the ages of 12 and 25, invited to participate in monthly web chats and conference calls to develop leadership skills and discuss issues and topics relevant to fulfilling the Five Promises:
- Ongoing relationships with caring adults in their lives - parents, mentors, tutors, or coaches
- Safe places with structured activities during non-school hours
- Healthy start and future
- Marketable skills through effective education
- Opportunities to give back through community service.
Go to www.americaspromise.org>>
Do Something Inc.
Do Something Inc. wants to give you a place to connect, a place to be inspired, be supported, be celebrated. The only question is, “What's your something?” Do Something Inc. believes young people have the power to make a difference. It is their aim to inspire, support and celebrate a generation of do-ers: people who see the need to do something, believe in their ability to get it done, and then take action. Their website is a community where young people learn, listen, speak, vote, volunteer, ask, and take action to make the world a better place.
Food for Thought, USA
Food for Thought, USA (FFT USA) is a youth led organization raising money for schools and educational programs in need of funding. Some FFT USA clubs and volunteers have fundraised over $15,000 for education in their communities. Join today and choose to work alone or lead a club!
Go to www.foodforthoughtusa.org>>
Idealist.org
Idealist.org – Action Without Borders connects people, organizations and resources to help build a world where all people can live free and dignified lives. Action Without Borders is independent of any government, political ideology or religious creed; and guided by the common desire of their members and supporters to find practical solutions to social and environmental problems, in a spirit of generosity and mutual respect. You can find and share volunteer opportunities online at www.idealist.org.
Liberty Day
Liberty Day Kids study, learn, and then quiz adults about the Constitution. These kids are 8-11 years old and work in teams of 2-4 kids. You can recruit, train, and supervise a team of Liberty Day Kids. For additional information, please call: 303-333-3434 or e-mail: libertyday@aol.com.
Points of Light Foundation
The Points of Light Foundation, founded in 1990 by former President George Bush, is a national, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that promotes volunteerism. The Foundation advocates community service through a partnership with the Volunteer Center National Network. Together, they engage and mobilize millions of volunteers who are helping to solve serious social problems in thousands of communities. Through a variety of programs and services, the Foundation encourages people from all walks of life to volunteer.
SERVEnet
SERVEnet is a program of Youth Service America (YSA), a resource center and the premier alliance of 200+ organizations committed to increasing the quantity and quality of opportunities for young Americans to serve locally, nationally, or globally. YSA’s mission is to strengthen the effectiveness, sustainability, and scale of the youth service movement. YSA envisions a powerful network of organizations committed to making service the common experience and expectation of all young Americans. A strong youth service movement will create healthy communities, and foster citizenship, knowledge, and the personal development of young people. Youth Service America is also an America’s promise partner! YSA's commitment to America's Promise is to have volunteer opportunities on SERVEnet for every zip code in America.
VolunteerMatch
Volunteer Match uses the power of the Internet to match volunteers with local nonprofit and public sector organizations. Working with thousands of local non-profits, VolunteerMatch has become the web’s largest database of volunteer opportunities.
Does your organization have community service opportunities for HOBY alumni? Email us at alumni@hoby.org.