Yes, it's true. Many non-profits have jobs that pay $$ to help others. It's not just another job but a chance to work and make a difference. START HERE... https://www.jobs.net/jobs/voans/en-us/all-jobs/
Why Volunteer?
In life, everybody at one time or another needs assistance that comes from outside of themselves. Some people claim that their personal success and secure position has been justly earned without help from others along the way. However, this attitude is selfish, egotistical, and naive. Nobody makes it through life entirely on his or her own merits, even if assistance is not obvious. As a consequence, everyone has a debt to repay and a reason to give back.
In addition to fulfilling a responsibility, there are many benefits of charitable giving; primarily, it makes you happier. In fact, a Harvard Business School study confirmed that “happier people give more and giving makes people happier, such that happiness and giving may operate in a positive feedback loop."
While cash is always accepted, time and effort is just as important, if not more so. Plus, giving of your time, energy and effort provides you with immediate feedback as to what your contribution means to those receiving it.
Community Responsibility
Americans have a great capacity to accept and face challenges head-on. During time of crisis or natural disaster, many volunteer to help those affected. Those who receive help are grateful for the help, and volunteers learn that helping others makes them feel better. Consider the following as ways you can start volunteering and pay your good fortune forward.
Charity Begins at Home
In today's hectic lifestyle, the needs of family members are often overlooked. Parents busy raising their own children may forget the plight of their own parents, assuming they are capable of taking care of themselves. Many adult children presume their parents will voice their need. This is not always the case, especially when Granddad or Grandma have been independent for years. Older people – parents, aunts and uncles, long-time family friends – are often reluctant to share their growing frailty, loneliness, or isolation with their children.
Caring for elderly parents is the primary responsibility of family members, so consider the needs of your own family members first. Provide transportation to elderly parents no longer able to drive, to doctors appointments, errands or shopping trips. Help with yard work, cleaning, laundry, dishes or take out the garbage. Pick up and deliver prescriptions or medical supplies. Invite them to your child’s soccer games or other family activities. Provide an inexpensive computer with access to email and social media (and technology usage lessons). Drop by for coffee on a Saturday morning, or schedule regular visits to brighten their day.
Volunteer at Your Local School
Educators are under-staffed, overworked, stressed, and disillusioned about the educational infrastructure, and they need help. Schools work best when the community is actively involved, yet too many parents and community members believe it’s someone else’s responsibility to solve the problems of education.
Children need good role models and people who care about their lives and behavior. You can be a big brother or sister to a local youth, monitor outdoor activities, assist with special events, chaperone field trips, read stories to elementary school students, provide safety as a crossing guard, or spend a Saturday beautifying the school grounds, your efforts will be recognized and appreciated. Moreover, you can make an investment that will pay dividends in the future.
Tutor a Student
Students consist of people of all ages. Teaching literacy to adults can impact their lives positively. Helping someone learn English can expand his or her horizons, able to further interact in the broad community and have a greater share in the economic engine.
Teachers knowledgeable in academic subjects, computer skills and internet usage is widely needed everywhere, especially in the senior community. Life skills, such as cooking, sewing, home repairs and auto maintenance are in demand for all ages.
Organize a Yard Sale for Charity
Consider organizing a yard sale for your community, dedicating the proceeds to a local charity. Almost every household has electronics, tools, furniture, clothes, kitchen ware, music cds, movie dvds, books, equipment that can be sold and the proceeds donated to helping the less fortunate.
Visit a Senior Center
Too many nursing homes are turned into dumping grounds for older people whose families are gone or are unavailable, and many residents are desperate for conversation and connections with people outside the center. A couple of hours a week can make a huge difference in the attitude and outlook of the residents. Not to mention, you may learn valuable lessons about life from those who have been there already.
Coach a Local Youth Team
The old saying, “Idle hands are the Devil’s workshop,” is especially true for children and teenagers. Playing sports teaches kids teamwork, responsibility, the joy of being physically fit and develop important social skills by interacting with peers.
Unfortunately, many kids don’t have the opportunity to participate in sports due to a shortage of coaches or assistants. There are openings in almost every sport in every community for compassionate teachers and volunteer coaches. While some experience is helpful, it’s not always essential for you to be a good youth league coach.
Fix and Serve Meals
Despite America’s overall prosperity, the homeless, the unemployed, and the poor often go hungry – almost 50 million Americans in 2014, according to the USDA. Throughout the year, volunteers are needed to prepare and serve food through local charities. Meals on Wheels, with an army of almost 2.6 million volunteers, serves 2.5 million seniors every day, offering nutritious meals, warm smiles, and a safety check. Also, this is often the only connection to the outside world the recipient receives.
Be a Good Neighbor
Before the widespread use of air conditioning, residents of a community were more likely to spend time outside getting to know one another, rather than retreating inside to escape the heat. Now it’s common for neighbors not to know one another.
Participation in a neighborhood organization builds a sense of cmmunity and provides valuable services to those within the neighborhood. Many neighborhood associations have community watch programs, assist with neighborhood beautification and park projects, and represent the community to local government officials. Knowing your neighbors increases a sense of personal security and connection to those around you.
Serve on a Community Board
Charities and community service organizations often compete with other businesses for the community’s attention and support. In many cases, nonprofits are at a distinct disadvantage, lacking the resources to attract, compensate, and retain high performing executive staff and administrators. If your talents are administrative, or if you have executive or board experience, your insights and knowledge could be welcomed at not-for-profit, community-based organizations.
Volunteer at a Hospital
Volunteers provide crucial support to hospitals, and also offer comfort and convenience to patients, families, and visitors. Volunteer opportunities include everything from manning information booths, to sitting with patients or working with children. Duties might involve helping with food service or pushing wheelchairs. Hospitals have a wide variety of volunteer needs that are suitable for all ages.
Become a Docent
Museums, art galleries, presidential libraries, aquariums, zoos, and universities frequently need trained guides to lead visitors through facilities to enhance the visitors’ experience. Docent training is usually provided, so the only qualities necessary are enthusiasm, flexibility, patience and passion. If you enjoy being around people, volunteering in these areas could be enjoyable and enlightening.
Organize a Food Co-op
Food co-ops – cooperative efforts to buy food in volume to distribute to co-op members – initially started as a way to save money on grocery purchases. Increasingly, they are vehicles that enable members to buy fresh, naturally grown foods directly from farmers/producers at below-market prices.
Co-ops - typically nonprofit organizations that rely on volunteers, and advocates claim they offer better nutrition for lower prices. Bountiful Baskets initially started with a single site in Arizona, but now has more than 100 sites in multiple states, and it continues to grow.
Final Thoughts
If you’re still on the fence about volunteering, or you’re not sure you have the time or energy necessary, consider the five-year, multi-institutional study that proved giving and being unselfish can protect your health and prolong your life. Every day that goes by without helping another is an opportunity missed. Recognize that others helped you achieve your merits, and now you have the opportunity to pay them back while paying the effort forward.
Where to Find Volunteer Opportunities
VolunteerMatch – Find opportunities that match your volunteer interests, from location to type of work.
Idealist – Find volunteer opportunities in your local area or internationally.
National and Community Service – Federal organization offering volunteer positions across the U.S.
Volunteer – Directory of environmental volunteer opportunities.
U.S. Peace Corps – Volunteer opportunities overseas and includes a 50 Plus division.
American Red Cross – Volunteer in any of the Red Cross’s key service areas.
I come from a long line of military family. After injuries in boot camp it took me a long time to figure out how I could make a difference. A friend asked me to join.
Patriot Guard Riders and Acadiana Area for Vets are non profit motorcycle groups who honor our fallen military and first responders. We stand flag lines during funerals, escort funeral procession to honor them and support of the families. Each district is different. Our group also collects items to make gift bags for veterans in the nursing homes and are delivered between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
I Love these groups because you don't have to ride a motorcycle to join, you just have to WANT to support and show your respect for our active duty and veterns.
This year, I have decided to Believe in myself and allow myself to Dream Big! After being laid off the end of the year in 2017 and unable to find a job in 2018 and the new online job hunt is frustrating. I have created my own journey for Health & Happiness! Please message me, if you are interested in learning more. Being your own boss provides you the flexibility with your kids and helping your family financially. Would Love to chat! Happy Sunday!
Meet with these top Boston-area non-profits and human service agencies hiring for a variety of roles.
Participating employers include:
- Arbor Counseling Services
- BAYADA Home Health Care
- Baycove Human Services
- Charles River Center
- Greater Boston Food Bank
- Greater Lynn Senior Services
- Jewish Family & Children’s Services
- JVS Boston
- Pine Street Inn
- The Italian Home for Children
- Vinfen
- YMCA of Greater Boston
Please visit each employer's career page for a list of their job openings.
Pre-registration and resume upload strongly recommended for the job fair; however, walk-ins are welcome - http://bit.ly/NonProfitHSJobFair
As a retired guy I do not have alot of recent experience but I was an interviewer back in the day... So what I was looking for was usually in the "other" section of the resume... That is what are your interests? Where do you volunteer? How you have related to your family and friends?... The answer to these questions can give the interviewer a little insight to your ability to be a team player and whether your would be considered a self-starter, etc. The best thing you could do to prepare for this type of question is to do something good for someone else (on a regular basis.) Find an organization you could volunteer time with (and that you would enjoy!) Don't lie, it is easy to see who is telling the truth in an interview. Be excited to share what you have learned from your experiences. Sometime you can add to what you have accomplished in past jobs as well, but remember, your job is not WHO you are. Do not offer bad examples of what motivates you but keep everything positive always remember you ARE in an interview, not just conversation over a cup of coffee (although that is a great way for interviewers to try to put you at ease.) Stay on your toes but be nice, respectful and concise. There is nothing worse than droning on about yourself so practice what you might share on this question. AND VOLUNTEER to serve others!
I love community service
It's never too late to donate your time or money to your favorite non-profit. The holidays are a busy time for non-profits trying to help families in need. If you have some time off go and volunteer. If you want to donate money, you may be eligible for a tax deduction. Check with the non-profit first.
Sometimes life isn’t what we want it to be good or bad, but we have each other to share our issues with. This community has been such a blessing to me for not only the little things but big issues too! A few years ago I starting helping people who were on there final Journey in life. After being in the cleaning busy for over 10 plus years I decided to give it all up to do what I am going right now, volenteering at the local hospitals around the Boston, Mass Community. This time of year can be a trying time in ones life. As we know the holidays bring lots of greetings and painful memories in ones life? Never feel like you are all alone in this time of joy, happiness and blessings from all of us in this community. We are here for you in this community to help in getting you the job you seek, don’t feel like you are not equipped or ready for that next step in your life, it is waiting for you to make that change!