One of the best ways to beat the blues, meet new people, and give back to your community is by volunteering. Volunteering has been shown to have a wide range of benefits, and some studies have even discovered that people who volunteer have lower morality rates than those who do not. Volunteering is an excellent way to meet new people and strengthen existing relationships, it increases self-confidence while fighting depression, it brings fulfillment, and it can give you valuable job skills and experience.
So how do you begin volunteering in your community? A good place to start is to ask yourself what you want to get out of the experience. Do you want to meet new people? Do you want to get career experience? What causes are you the most passionate about? What volunteer settings most appeal to you? The answers to these questions will help to steer you in the right direction when it comes to finding the right volunteer experience.
Examples of ways to volunteer include:
Teach a Class – If you have a particular skill or area of expertise, consider teaching a class. Many local areas have community education courses that are always looking for instructors. You could also consider assisting a teacher at your local school by volunteering an hour or two in their classroom to tutor students.
Help Seniors in Your Community – Isolation among the elderly is quite common and a great way to brighten someone’s day is to simply visit the seniors in your community. Other ways to serve include offering rides or helping them access public transportation, encouraging them to find hobbies and activities to participate in, and sharing a meal with them.
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Spend Time at Your Local Animal Shelter – Abused and abandoned animals are often in need of companions, and local animal shelters are always looking for volunteers to walk dogs and play with cats. You can also offer to foster a dog or cat until they find a permanent home or take care of the pets of your neighbors.
Work with the Local Homeless Shelter or Food Bank – Every community has those in need and you can give back by helping to prepare or distribute meals, organize a food drive, and collect clothes or hygiene items.
Encourage Green Living – Get involved in a local environmental organization by helping to lobby for change, leading hikes, starting a recycling campaign, and working to improve local trails.
Help in Emergencies with Local Disaster Relief – Agencies like the American Red Cross always need volunteers to help out in times of crisis. You could help distribute food, provide shelter, be part of a disaster action team, teach CPR and First Aid, and sponsor a fundraising event.