When you think of volunteering, you may be picturing a large organization (like Youth Central!), or an environment that consists of name tags, a uniform, and team leaders. In reality, you can volunteer in your community completely independent of any organization, or you can even start your own!
For those of you having difficulties finding open volunteer opportunities, here are some unique ways you can make an impact in your community.
1. Tutoring
If you enjoy a particular subject at school or excel in a certain craft, you can offer lessons or tutoring services to teach it to younger kids in your community. From instruments to math, you can get the word out about your speciality by putting up flyers or using social media. Word of mouth is also an underrated way to spread information. Ensure your contact information is clear, and you outline your availability. Remember to make a separate email for your tutoring instead of putting your personal one on blast in public.
Try scoping your close friends’ circle first; maybe they have a younger sibling or a family friend who would benefit from your knowledge. Ensure you know and trust the person before meeting up with them in person. If you’re a teenager, ensure adults are involved throughout the entire process, due to “stranger danger”.
With tutoring, you have lots of flexibility. You can choose to meet up at a library, give your guidance online, have weekly sessions, and more. You can have a parent sign off on hours or track them on your own. It’s surprising how popular tutoring is, and you’ll get an opportunity before you even know it.
2. Dog Walking
If you’re allergic to dogs, I suggest you skip this one for obvious reasons.
Dog walking is an extremely helpful way to give back to your neighbors. Owners may not have time to take their dogs outside due to work constraints or lack of free time, which is where you’ll step in. Similar to tutoring, you can get the word out through flyers and community groups online. Your mom’s Facebook account will come in clutch when you least expect it.
Talk to dog owners who live close by and hand out your contact information. You can get them to sign off on hours if you need it. Since you’re just starting out and not doing this for any commissions, stick to one dog at a time.
Having previous experience with dogs is important for this one. You’ll also need to be prepared for worst-case scenarios, and communicate your comfort level when it comes to large dogs. You’ll need to build rapport with the animal, and you can even get a parent or a friend to join you if you feel like it.
As a bonus, if you want help convincing owners that you’re qualified, you can look into Pet First-Aid courses and show them your certification. Pet First-Aid is a vital skill to have in your pocket. If you already have a First-Aid certification, it’ll be even easier for you to get certified. I found it to be super fascinating in general!
3. Start a Food/Toy/Clothing Drive
This one requires some communication with a larger organization. You can get the word out about your food drive, and either go door to door collecting donations, or set up a specific spot in your community where people can drop off their contributions. You can make posters, take on a leadership role and start an initiative with more people involved, and track your hours based on how much time you put into organizing it.
Once you gather donations, you can drop them off at an organization that will take them. Contact them beforehand to make sure they’re open for donations. You can take a look at their website and look into organizations like the Alberta Children’s Hospital (for toys) and the Women’s Shelter in Calgary.
This may seem obvious, but if you’re donating food, ensure all food is non-perishable. If it’s clothes or toys, do a quick check to make sure they’re in a good state for someone new to use.
4. Write a Kind Letter/Care Card
For those in isolation or facing hard times, a small note of kindness can go a long way. Organizations like the Alberta Children’s Hospital allow you to make and send digital cards to patients in the hospital. You can take the extra step further and deliver the cards yourself!
There are pen pal programs you can look into, and lots of digital opportunities as well. You can widen your scope and start a club or committee that will work with you to brighten someone’s day.
Whether it’s to a senior in your community, a healthcare professional you appreciate, or someone going through difficulties, your kind words can make incredible impacts in someone’s life. I believe that volunteering is about making a meaningful difference in your community, and you can do so by bringing joy to people through small acts of kindness like this one. At the end of the day, the hours are just numbers, and it’s the difference you make that matters.
5. Start a ClubÂ
If you’re interested in taking on a leadership role, consider starting a club in your school or community dedicated to making a difference. Think of something you’re passionate about and take it to the next level. For example, if you’re passionate about advocating for the environment, start a club dedicated to advocacy, neighborhood clean-ups, fundraising events, and more.
Starting a club requires more people interaction, structure, and organization. This may be a harder way to volunteer more, but it’s extremely rewarding. You can make a bigger impact, and you also get leadership points, which may be useful for college applications or resumes.
Depending on how creative your mission is, your club will gain traction with like-minded individuals. Not many people consider a commitment like this one, making you unique.
TL;DR
Here are five unique ways to volunteer on your own:
- Offer tutoring or lessons to kids in your community
- Offer dog walking services
- Start a food/clothing/toy drive in your neighborhood
- Write kind letters or cards to those who need them
- Start a volunteering clubÂ