Community Service: A Family's Guide to Getting Involved

It's easy to feel disconnected, as many parents juggle work, family, and activity after activity. But there are a number of things that can help bring us back together - playing a game, going for a hike, or cooking a meal as a family. One of the most satisfying, fun, and productive ways to unite is volunteering for community service projects. Not only does it help bring families together, volunteerism also sets a good example for your children and is helpful to the community as well.

What Are Some Reasons to Get Involved?

Why should you get your family started in lending a helping hand?

• It feels good. The satisfaction and pride you feel when helping others are important reasons to volunteer. When you commit your time and effort to an organization you care about or a cause you feel strongly about, the feeling of fulfillment can be endless.
• It strengthens your community. Organizations and agencies that make use of volunteers are providing important services at low or no cost to those who need them. When a community is doing well as a whole, the individuals are better off, too.
• It can strengthen your family. Most people who shy away from volunteering insist they just don't have the time to give after fulfilling work and family commitments. But it often just involves rethinking the way you spend some of your free time together as a family. Volunteerism is a wonderful way for families to have fun and feel closer to each other to boot. It also doesn't have to require enormous amounts of time. You could choose one or two projects a year and turn it into a family tradition at certain times (for example, making and donating gift baskets to care facilities for the elderly around the holidays).

What Can Kids and Teens Learn From Community Service?

If volunteering begins at an early age, it can become part of a child's life - something he or she may just expect and want to do. It can teach them:

• a sense of responsibility. By volunteering, children and teens learn what it means to make and keep a commitment. They learn how to be on time for a job, do their best, and be proud of the results. But they also learn that, ultimately, we are responsible for the well-being of our entire community.
• the knowledge that one person can make a difference. A wonderful, empowering message for a child is that he or she is important enough to have an impact on someone or something else.
• the benefit of sacrifice. By giving up a toy to a less fortunate child, a child learns that it's good to sacrifice sometimes. Cutting back on recreation time to help clean up a beach tells kids that there are important things other than ourselves and our immediate needs.
• tolerance. Working in community service can bring kids and teens in touch with people of different backgrounds, abilities, ethnicities, ages, and education and income levels. They will likely find that even the most diverse individuals can be united by common values.
• job skills. Community service can help young people decide on their future careers. Are they interested in the medical field? Hospitals and clinics often have teenage volunteer programs. Do they love politics? Kids can work on the real campaigns of local political candidates. Learning to work as a team member, taking on leadership roles, setting project goals - these are all skills that can be gained by volunteering and will serve a child well in any future career.
• how to fill idle time wisely. If a child isn't involved in traditional after-school activities, community service can be a wonderful alternative.

What About Volunteering on My Own?

If you've never been involved in community service before, volunteering as an individual may be a good place to start. Want to improve your computer knowledge? You may get free on-the-job training. Have you been out of the workforce raising children? Volunteering may be a painless way for you to get back into the routine of working before taking the plunge into a paid position. And if you're looking for a career change, community service is a networker's dream. You can meet people who may offer opportunities you've never thought of. You can sample different workplaces and see how you like various fields. Your volunteering will definitely help others and may help you, too.

How Do I Get My Family Involved?

The Internet offers lots of sites with information about volunteer opportunities. You can also call a favorite charity, hospital, or church directly to see if they have any needs, or look up "Volunteerism" in your phone book, under the Human Services section (often in the blue pages).

Or, contact a local volunteer clearinghouse, which matches up volunteers and community organizations and can help you find openings at nonprofit organizations in your area. Be prepared to answer questions such as:

• What are your interests?
• What are your skills?
• Do you have any special needs?
• Do you have a method of transportation?
• How many hours a week do you have to volunteer?
• Why do you want to volunteer?

You'll probably be interviewed again once the clearinghouse matches you with an appropriate job. Some situations require more information. If you want to work with children, for instance, you may have to undergo fingerprinting and a criminal background check. But be sure to be just as thorough when you question the organizations. Find out exactly what's expected of you before you accept the volunteer position. Be realistic and ask specific questions.

When looking for a volunteer position, keep in mind that it may be difficult to find the perfect volunteer job. Be flexible, and keep looking if the agency you were referred to doesn't meet your needs. It may take a while to find a perfect fit, but once you do, it will be worth it. Once you do become involved, be responsible to those who depend on you. Be on time, dress appropriately, and let the volunteer coordinator know if you can't make it.

What Are Some Good Volunteer Jobs for Families and Children?

Families can do many volunteer jobs. Even the smallest child (with adult supervision) can pick up garbage at the park, playground, or beach. You don't even have to be part of a big effort to do this. Get your family together, find some garbage bags, and head out.

Or become involved in repair and renovation efforts for low-income residents. Younger children might not be able to do the big jobs, but helping out by fetching a paintbrush or holding the nails involves them just the same.

Work at a community food bank or soup kitchen as a family. Find an organization that serves the elderly. Take food to people who are homebound and visit with them. Your children can brighten a lonely senior's day instantly. Offer your family's help at the local animal shelter. Help plant flowers or trees. The list of possibilities is endless.

Whatever you choose to do, volunteering and community service can benefit both the community and your family. Get involved today!

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