Warwick Teens make a difference during Earth Day 2005.

Teen and Youth Volunteer Program

Start making a difference in someone’s life and your own - VOLUNTEER!

Here are just a few good reasons to be a Teen Volunteer:

• It’s fun!
• Help others
• A chance to be a voice for teen in your community and within the programs you volunteer for
• Learn about an activity or organization that interests you
• Make new friends
• Opportunity to learn, develop new skills, and explore careers
• Expand your resume for college and future employers
• Be a leader
• Beat boredom – meet new and interesting people while filling your free time
• Gain perspective on life – there is no better way to appreciate what you have than to help people in need
• Fulfill community service hours
• Make a difference in your world and learn about the needs of your community

How to get involved

Step 1. For individual opportunities, contact your local Volunteer Center to inquire about teen and youth volunteer opportunities.

• Call VCRI at 401-421-6547, email info@vcri.org or visit www.vcri.org
• Try a team approach. VCRI can help here as well but first, talk to your classmates, friends, co-workers, and others in the community to find out if they have a strong interest in doing a project. If so, decide on an issue, a cause, or a community concern. Then contact a local agency. (Check the phone book for local charities and volunteer agencies near you.) Find out what the needs of the agency are and then decide on a project. We suggest that you work with the agency to organize the project.

Step 2. Suggest ideas for “age appropriate” projects, such as park landscaping, painting the exterior of homes of senior citizens; a community clothes closet, a car wash to benefit a local organization, etc.

Step 3. Offer your assistance in coordinating a project.

Step 4. Ask friends and family members to get involved in    preparation, scheduling, seeking donations, and implementing the project.

Step 5. Organize a celebration for volunteers immediately following the project to recognize their time and efforts. Cook outs, video nights at a community center or church, and/or a pizza party are all effective and inexpensive ways to recognize groups.

Step 6. Finally, sit back and reflect on what you and your friends have accomplished. You just might be surprised at how much you can do and how good you can feel once you all work together.

Also, check out Volunteering: Change Your World  (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
This short booklet is packed with ideas for teenagers and youth to get involved in the community and volunteering. (Posted with the permission of Volunteer! York County and United Way of York County)

Service Project Ideas

Good service project ideas match real community needs to the interests and skill level of a potential group of volunteers. Good ideas often come from service coordinators, volunteers, teachers, agencies, and other people in the community. These ideas are designed to help you generate ideas for service projects, both episodic and on going, which meet community needs in a creative way. They are meant to start the process of creative thinking. Remember to consider the skills, limitations, and motivations of those who will do the service, as well as the needs of the community.

Here are a few ideas for identifying community needs:

• Mind Mapping – Brainstorm issues and pick one to focus on; then brainstorm the cause, effects, where more information is available, and possible project ideas
• Conduct a Survey – Ask young people what their greatest concerns are or give them a list to rank
• Hold a Community Forum – Have an open microphone to share community problems and dreams
• Interview Senior Citizens – Ask seniors about community changes (for the better and worse), fears, and sources of community pride
• Three Wishes - Ask what people would wish for in their community given unlimited power/resources
• Watch the News – Keep an eye out for stories that point to community problems that can be addressed
• Utopian Towns – What was your favorite community to visit? Why? How does your town differ?
• I Have a Dream … – Read Martin Luther King’s well-known speech and think about your own dreams for your community
• Group Goals – Identify the goals of your group and then research the goals of other groups around you are trying to do
• Ask Legislators
• 60 Minute Search – Divide a map of your community into parts and have group members search their areas for needed improvement. Mark “hot spots” on the map and discuss area needs.

Tips for Successful Volunteer Projects

Working with other Youth

• Be clear and firm about the rules
• Make sure ratio of volunteers to small children is kept low
• Do not let kids out of sight
• Be sure volunteers are supervised
• Partner with local schools and head starts

Running Drives

• Collect only what you contracted to collect
• Check local health codes
• Designate volunteers to collect items
• Be sure volunteers have information on pertinent organizations
• Set standards for goods to be collected

The Environment

• Consult with area experts about proper handling, storage and disposal of collected materials
• Be sure volunteers wear appropriate clothing 
• Pay special attention to small children around the site 
• Check to see limits of collection centers

Working with Seniors

• Don’t try to do too much
• Allow for visiting time with each senior
• Make sure to know of dietary restrictions if providing food
• Have staff or volunteers on hand who know first aid
• Try to partner with local senior centers or groups

Hunger and Homelessness

• Start small (helping one family or donating to a food drive)
• Work with agencies to identify recipients for food, clothing, etc. before starting a drive
• Be sure donations are in good condition
• Be sure you have storage facilities
• Ask shelters and soup kitchens other ways your group may get involved