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How to Choose the Best Volunteering Option
Christopher J. Gearon
Volunteering is up, here's how to find the best fit for you
Though the economy is hurting, volunteering in
"Volunteering patterns have changed," says
The challenge for all volunteers is finding the best fit for themselves. "Look to creditable organizations or ones you know," Quaintance recommends. Regardless of your tastes, temperament, or availability, a wide range of opportunities can be found, each offering its own rewards.
Disaster Relief
For those who seek an adrenaline rush and have a flexible schedule, emergency response groups may be an appealing option. The largest is the
When it's time for the big leagues, the
Among other groups providing disaster relief are faith-based organizations like the
Though the
A Second Act
The growing trend of skills-based volunteering is "a big change from years past," says Corvington. Baby boomers and others with significant work experience want to segue to new service careers, while nonprofits realize they can leverage this influx of talent to expand their reach.
The largest network for people 55 and older is
An Extended commitment
Got more time? Two full-time gigs to consider include the storied
Established under President
Besides gaining invaluable skills and fluency in foreign languages,
If you'd prefer a long-term assignment stateside, you might consider AmeriCorps, which uses volunteers to help address critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment. A variety of positions are available, from tutoring young people, assisting crime victims, and building homes to teaching computer skills, restoring parks, and responding to disasters. AmeriCorps plans to expand its ranks from 85,000 volunteers today to 250,000 by 2017.
In general, volunteers sign on for at least a year and can stay on longer if they desire.
Other AmeriCorps avenues include the
Ever consider combining a vacation with service? After seeing people in need after Hurricane Katrina, "I just wanted to volunteer and do something," says
Habitat, one of the largest organizers of volunteer vacations, has hundreds of projects around the world involving home construction and renovation, or disaster relief. No experience is necessary, but participants should have "an interest, curiosity, and commitment to serve," says
Volunteers pay for their airfare and, on average, about
If you have less vacation time, you might try Globe Aware, which hosts one-week volunteer programs around the world. About 15 percent of the group's roughly 4,500 vacationers are families. "We're one of the few nonprofits that allow" them, says spokesperson
Volunteer vacations are not for those who like to be pampered. But if experiencing a new culture, "meeting the people, working with the families, and feeling like what you do matters," they are a great option, King says. It's also less expensive than a standard vacation. King went to
To learn about other volunteer vacations, you can check out
Virtual helping hands
Chicagoan Summer Johansson, a 33-year-old student finance adviser, wanted to volunteer but couldn't fit traditional commitments into her schedule. The solution? In 2008, Johansson signed on to the online volunteering service of
While virtual volunteering may not offer personal one-on-one contact, it's more flexible than other options and is a great "CV enhancer," says Johansson. A number of sites can help you find virtual opportunities, including www.volunteermatch.org, which recruits for more than 74,000 organizations, and the HandsOn Network, an arm of the Points of
DIY Volunteering
A fixture in her
Ask the
You can find many valuable tools online to advance your own cause, such as
DIY projects can be time-consuming, so Michels recommends bringing in friends and neighbors to help when possible. "People respond to passion, commitment, and reasoned arguments," she says.
The upsides of self-directed work are immediately apparent. It's "usually more intellectually engaging since you are organizing and problem-solving and doing research" on your own, Michels notes. She believes she is testament that even shy people can tackle and solve problems in the community or the world, saying, "Success breeds confidence."
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How to Choose the Best Volunteering Option
(c) 2010 U.S. News & World Report