Finding Community Service Projects
Where to Look for Homeschooling Volunteer Opportunities
Nov 12, 2008
Getting homeschoolers involved in the community is an important task. So often, homeschooling families are left feeling isolated when they could be at the center of the action. With flexible schedules and a lot of interests to explore, homeschooled kids have the unique opportunity to make their community and the world their classroom. Participating in community service projects gives families the opportunity to work together for the greater good. Plus, it's a natural and healthy form of socialization.
Service Projects for Children and Teens
There are many community service projects that children and teens can be involved in. As a family, it can be as simple as raking the leaves for an elderly neighbor, leaving Christmas presents at the door of a widowed parent or peeling potatoes at a soup kitchen. Everyone is capable of helping in some way. It's just a matter of finding an appropriate place for everyone to pitch in. Smaller children are good at collecting canned goods, but should not be asked to walk around with money. Both the Girl Scout Cookie sale and the Unicef Milk Carton project have changed their rules to reflect modern safety standards.
Community Service Projects for Teens
Older teens and adults can plan their own community service projects. Teens can gather in a group to discuss the organization they'd like to help and then brainstorm ideas for how best to contribute. Many teens enjoy the idea of holding a car wash, a bake sale, an auction and spaghetti dinner or even a cell-phone telethon.
Coordinating a community service event is at the heart of the Boy Scout Eagle project and the Girl Scout Silver and Gold Awards. Not only is it good to help others, but coordinating volunteers, planning the logistics of an event, communicating with everyone involved, setting goals, marketing and advertising are all real life career skills that can benefit the teens far more than a day spent in the classroom.
Opportunities to Volunteer with Kids
Independent community service projects, like community clean-up and bake sales, are usually safe places for children to volunteer. The U.S. Postal service holds an annual fundraiser called “stamp out hunger” and in many cities, children can volunteer to help unload donated food from the mail carrier's trucks. Sorting the food into donation boxes to be sent to food banks is a task many children can manage easily. Volunteering with children is a great way to be a positive role model, and instill a love of service in a child.
Finding Service Projects
Check your local newspaper for opportunities to volunteer in the community. Many church bulletin boards also have a place where they ask for volunteers. Some older kids and teens like helping in the childcare room during a MOPS meeting, or during the Sunday service. Contact the chamber of commerce to see what the major organizations are that are dedicated to helping meet the needs of the elderly, the disabled and the ill. Sometimes people need help shopping, running errands and handling home management concerns.
Every community has people and places that just need a little help sometimes. Making a habit of getting involved and helping others can be an important part of a homeschool education. When homeschoolers are visible, active and involved in the community, they are seen as more of an asset and less like unsocialized nonconformists.
