Get Involved! Help Your Community

By CHC/PIO
July 16, 2009

At any age, there are so many ways you can make a difference. Even just one afternoon of volunteering can have an impact on someone’s life. And the best part is it’s fun! While you help others, you help yourself by learning. Children for Children wants you to Grow Involved!

 

What is community service?

Community service is giving your time and effort to make a positive difference, large or small. Community service is finding a way to help a person, group, or organization that works on behalf of people or places in need. Community service is offering a hand. The instinct to offer a hand is regarded as one of the highest and best that we have.

 

Why is it important?

Contributing to your community is important part of your development. It can help build your leadership skills and pave ideas for future career paths. It gives you perspective by helping you think about others and how others’ lives differ from your own. It can change the way you feel and think about things! Sometimes, it makes you feel incredibly fortunate at the end of the day, even though you might have started the day feeling rotten about challenges of your own.

One of the best things about community service is that you get while you give. Expect a feeling of satisfaction, or a moment’s pride, as you reflect on what you did to help someone else.

How do I get started in community service?

 

Reading this is a great first step!

1. Think about how you want to help. What are your interests? Do you like being indoors or outside? What ages do you like being with? Older? Younger? Do you have a specific talent or skill to contribute?

2. Consider how much time you want to spend on service. Once a week? Once a month? It’s okay to start with something small to see if you like it. If you don’t end up liking it, don’t be discouraged. Sometimes it takes time and patience to find a good fit.

3. Talk to an adult about a plan. Will you need supplies? A ride somewhere? Or, if your school requires community service, there’s probably a service director or coordinator who can help you find a place. Adults can also share their own experiences and give you great suggestions.

4. Ask questions. Once you have an organization in mind, call and ask for the volunteer coordinator. This person probably doesn’t have much time to sit by the phone, so be prepared to leave a detailed message. When you do make contact, have your questions prepared ahead of time, perhaps along the lines of the “four W’s”:

• Who do they need for the work they do?
• What kind of work is it?
• When do they need help?
• Where would you be expected to do this work?

5. Check it out. You’re not obligated to volunteer just because you called to ask about the opportunities. Before committing, check with a parent, teacher, or other adult who can help you evaluate the information you’ve received. Another good idea is to make an appointment to drop by the site to see for yourself if you would feel comfortable volunteering there: can you picture yourself in that setting? If it seems right to you, chances are you have found a good fit!

 

Source: Children for Children

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? We would like to hear your story, where you are helping someone in your community. dan@youngchronicle.com