Volunteer Services others
As a senior citizen you might sometimes need volunteers,
but voluntary work is on for yourself mentally and indirectly
on the body level very healthy and enriching.
Important is to look in the right direction.
Look for a group that works with issues about which you
feel strongly. You might already be giving money to one
of these organizations, and that might be a good place to
begin your volunteer experience.
If you can't find such an organization then why not start
one yourself? You can rally your neighbors to clean up that
vacant lot on the corner, patrol the neighborhood, paint
an elderly neighbor's house, take turns keeping an eye on
the ailing person down the street, or form a group to advocate
for a remedy to that dangerous intersection in your neighborhood.
There is no end to the creative avenues for volunteering,
Consider the skills you have to offer. If you enjoy outdoor
work, have a knack for teaching, or just enjoy interacting
with people, you may want to look for volunteer work, which
would incorporate these aspects of your personality. Many
positions require a volunteer who has previous familiarity
with certain equipment, such as computers, or who possesses
certain skills, such as ability in athletics or communications.
For one of these positions you might decide to do something
comparable to what you do on the job during your work day,
or something which you already enjoy as a hobby. This sort
of position allows you to jump right into the work without
having to take training to prepare for the assignment.
Would you like to learn something new? Consider seeking
a volunteer opportunity where you'll learn something new.
For example, volunteering to work on the newsletter for
the local animal shelter will improve your writing and editing
abilities-skills that may help you in your career. Or, volunteering
can simply offer a change from your daily routine. For example,
if your full-time job is in an office, you may decide to
take on a more active volunteer assignment, such as leading
tours at an art museum or building a playground. Many NGO’s
seek out people who are willing to learn. Realize beforehand,
however, that such work might require a time commitment
for training before the actual volunteer assignment begins.
Combine your goals. Look for volunteer opportunities that
will also help you achieve your other goals for your life.
For example, if you want to lose a few extra pounds, pick
an active volunteer opportunity, such as cleaning a park
or working with kids. Or, if you've been meaning to take
a cooking class, try volunteering at a food bank that teaches
cooking skills.
Make sure the volunteer hours you want to give fit into
your life, so that you don't frustrate your family, exhaust
yourself, shortchange the organization you're trying to
help or neglect your job. Do you want a long-term assignment
or something temporary? If you are unsure about your availability,
or want to see how the work suits you before making an extensive
commitment, see whether the organization will start you
out on a limited number of hours until you get the feel
of things.
NGO’s may have questions, too. While most are eager
to find volunteer help, they have to be careful when accepting
the services you offer. If you contact an organization with
an offer to donate your time, you may be asked to come in
for an interview It is in the organization's interest and
more beneficial to the people it serves to make certain
you have the skills needed, that you are truly committed
to doing the work, and that your interests match those of
the nonprofit. Furthermore, in volunteer work involving
children or other at-risk populations, there are legal ramifications
for the organization to consider.
Think about looking for a volunteer opportunity suitable
for parents and children to do together, or for a husband
and wife to take on as a team. When a family volunteers
to work together at a nonprofit organization, the experience
can bring them closer together, teach young children the
value of giving their time and effort, introduce everyone
in the family to skills and experiences never before encountered,
and give the entire family a shared experience as a wonderful
family memory.
Virtual volunteering? Yes, there is such a thing! If you
have computer access and the necessary skills, some organizations
now offer the opportunity to do volunteer work over the
computer. This might take the form of giving free legal
advice, typing a college term paper for a person with a
disability, or simply keeping in contact with a shut-in
who has e-mail. This sort of volunteering might be well-suited
to you if you have limited time, no transportation, or a
physical disability which precludes you from getting about
freely. Virtual volunteering can also be a way for you to
give time if you simply enjoy computers and want to employ
your computer skills in your volunteer work.
Many community groups are looking for volunteers, and some
may not have occurred to you. Most of us know that hospitals,
libraries, and churches use volunteers for a great deal
of their work, but here are some volunteer opportunities
that may not have crossed your mind:
• day care centers • Neighborhood Watch •
public schools and colleges • halfway houses •
community theaters • drug rehabilitation centers •
fraternal organizations and civic clubs • retirement
centers and homes for the elderly • Meals on Wheels
• animal shelters and sanctuaries • church or
community-sponsored soup kitchens or food pantries •
museums, art galleries, and monuments • community
choirs, bands and orchestras • prisons • neighborhood
parks • youth organizations, sports teams, and after-school
programs • shelters for battered women and children
• historical restorations, battlefields and national
parks
10. Give voice to your heart through your giving and volunteering!
Bring your heart and your sense of humor to your volunteer
service, along with your enthusiastic spirit, which in itself
is a priceless gift. What you'll get back will be immeasurable!
To the millions of people who volunteer and give, thank
you. Just imagine what more could do.
What kind of voluntary activities are possible?
Well there are a lot, here some examples
== Arranging coffee hours
== Assist in basic computer instruction
== Coaching computer, == Driving needed to medical appointments.
== getting active in the rehabilitation of addicts
== guide sport exercise groups,
== guiding field trips
== guiding craft learning, assist with craft shows
== Help at various recreational activities such as bingo,
ceramic production, singing, playing an instrument,
== Help in preparation of events eg to decorate and/or setup
for special events, design flyers and more.
== Helping as food prep volunteer which includes wrapping
bread, cupping fruit, pouring coffee for seniors at noon
meal, setting out beverages, etc.
== helping as speaker
== helping old people to go for shopping
== Help serve lunch at social gatherings
== Home delivery of hot, nutritious meals to frail residents
== Reading newspapers and newsletter for sigh hindered people
== supporting frail people to read and write letters
== supporting wheelchair walks
== teach a class in language or painting
== trip chaperones
== visit lonely people
== work with individual risk children
Here some few areas for volunteering
1. Help to create Senior Citizen Centers
Meeting points for Seniors are badly needed in Kathmandu.
In these centers cultural, educational and social activities
could be organized for and by senior citizens. In each part
of the city centers could be used not only to have daily
meetings but also to have learning and entertaining programs.
You can help to create such centers in your social surrounding,
As far as programs are concerned Goldenagers Nepal is there
to help..
Senior citizen centers need volunteers to provide friendship
and community activities to .
== do yard work at an elderly person's home clean up and
spruce it up.
== play chess or checkers with an elderly person regularly
== lead activities such as free weights and exercise, stretching,
or yoga at a senior center
2. Support Literacy & Learning
Reading is one of the most important skills an adult can
have. More than 60% of adults in Nepal read at or below
a fifth grade level. Literacy volunteers act as tutors who
help illiterate children and adults learn this important
skill. Illiteracy and crime are linked. At-risk teenagers
are 46% less likely to start using drugs if in a mentor
program. Students who spend 1 to 4 hours per week in extracurricular
activities are 49% less likely to use drugs and 37% less
likely to become teen parents.
Helping adults to improve their literacy skills has a "direct
and measurable" impact on the education and quality
of life of their children.
Prisons and jails need literacy programs as well Collect
used paperbacks and novels to donate to libraries, prisons,
jails, shelters -- or give them to homeless people on the
street
What are areas to be looked at?
==Fund Exchange & Enrichment Programs
==Support Literacy & Libraries
==Support Mentoring & Tutoring Programs
==Support Special Education
3. Support Tutoring & Mentoring
The limited resources of many public schools result in
inadequate education for many children. Tutors and mentors
are vital to children's education. Some schools have tutoring
programs in place, but tutoring is still an option for those
schools without such programs.
Adopt a school and tutor students in math or reading. Set
up an online tutoring program with a local district or classroom.
Create or correct math problems. Become a classroom contact.
Have online email computer buddies with students in an elementary
class.
4. Support Homeless Shelters
Most homeless shelters welcome volunteers and have a variety
of programs through which you can get involved. You might
help prepare or distribute meals, work behind the scenes
in the business office , help organize a food drive to stock
the pantry, collect clothes for residents of the shelter.
You can do any number of things, including educational programs
1. Understand who the homeless are. Learn about the different
reasons for homelessness, and remember, every situation
is unique.
2. Give the homeless people the same courtesy and respect
you would accord your friends, your family, your employer.
Treat them as you would wish to be treated if you needed
assistance.
3. We can make a difference in the lives of the homeless
when we respond to them, rather than ignore or dismiss them.
Try a kind word and a smile.
4. Carry a card that lists local shelters so you can hand
them out to the homeless. You can find shelters in your
Yellow Pages.
5. When you pass someone who asks for change, offer him
or her something to eat.
6. Give Clothing - Next time you do your spring or fall
cleaning, keep an eye out for those clothes that you no
longer wear. If these items are in good shape, gather them
together and donate them to organizations that provide housing
for the homeless.
7. Load up a bag full of nonperishable groceries, and donate
it to a food drive in your area. If your community doesn't
have a food drive, organize one.
8. Give Toys - Children living in shelters have few possessions
--if any-- including toys. Homeless parents have more urgent
demands on what little money they have, such as food and
clothing. So often these children have nothing to play with
and little to occupy their time. You can donate toys, books,
and games to family shelters to distribute to homeless children.
For Christmas or Chanukah, ask your friends and co-workers
to buy and wrap gifts for homeless children.
9. Volunteer at A Shelter - Shelters thrive on the work
of volunteers
10. Volunteer Your Professional Talents - No matter what
you do for a living, you can help the homeless with your
on-the-job talents and skills. Those with clerical skills
can train those with little skills. Doctors, psychiatrists,
counselors, and dentists can treat the homeless in clinics.
Lawyers can help with legal concerns. The homeless' needs
are bountiful -- your time and talent won't be wasted.
11. Volunteer Your Hobbies - Every one of us has something
we can give the homeless. Wherever our interests may lie
-- cooking, repairing, gardening, photography -- we can
use them for the homeless. Through our hobbies, we can teach
them useful skills, introduce them to new avocations and
perhaps point them in a new direction.
12. Volunteer At Battered Women's Shelters - Most battered
women are involved in relationships with abusive husbands
or other family members. Lacking resources and afraid of
being found by their abusers, many may have no recourse
other than a shelter or life on the streets once they leave
home. Volunteers handle shelter hotlines, pick up abused
women and their children when they call, keep house, and
offer counseling. Call your local shelter for battered women
to see how you can help.
13. Tutor Homeless Children - A tutor can make all the difference.
Just having adult attention can spur children to do their
best.
14. Take Homeless Children On Trips - Frequently, the only
environment a homeless child knows is that of the street,
shelters, or other transitory housing. Outside of school
-- if they attend -- these children have little exposure
to many of the simple pleasures that most kids have. Volunteer
at your local family shelter to take children skating or
to an aquarium on the weekend.
15. Despite all of our efforts to spread the word about
shelters, it is surprising how many people are unaware of
their own local shelters. Contact your local newspapers,
monastery, or civic groups newsletters about the possibility
of running a weekly or monthly listing of area services
available to the homeless. This could include each organization's
particular needs for volunteers, food, and other donations
16. Educate Your Children About The Homeless - Help your
children to see the homeless as people. If you do volunteer
work, take your sons and daughters along so they can meet
with homeless people and see what can be done to help them.
17. One of the easiest ways to involve local businesses
is to organize food and/or clothing drives. Contact local
organizations to find out what is needed, approach local
grocery or clothing shops about setting up containers on
their premises in which people can drop off donations, ask
local businesses to donate goods to the drive, and publicize
the drive by placing announcements in local papers and on
community bulletin boards and by posting signs and posters
around your neighborhood.
18. Play With Children In A Shelter - Many children in shelters
are cut off from others their own age. Shuffled from place
to place, sometimes these kids don't attend school on a
regular basis, and have no contact with other kids. Bring
a little joy to their lives by taking your children to a
local shelter to play. Plan activities such as coloring,
playing with dolls, or building model cars (take along whatever
toys you'll need). Your own children will benefit too.
19. Employ the Homeless - More than half the people who
sign on find permanent, reasonably paying jobs, often in
maintenance, construction, clerical, or security work.
20. Help The Homeless Apply For Aid - Governmental aid is
available for homeless people, but many may not know where
to find it or how to apply. Since they don't have a mailing
address, governmental agencies may not be able to reach
them. You can help by directing the homeless to intermediaries,
such as homeless organizations, that let them know what
aid is available and help them to apply for it. If you want
to be an advocate or intermediary for the homeless yourself,
you can contact these organizations as well.
5. Don’t forget the Environment
Numerous environmental groups encourage volunteer support
to help with environmental activities. You can help in many
ways:
== help lobby on conservation issues
== lend a hand at the offices of environmental groups
== start a REUSE, REDUCE, AND RECYCLE campaign
Environment protection through your personal efforts
1. Join a conservation organization.
2. Volunteer your time to conservation projects.
3. Give money to conservation projects.
4. Switch to a vegetarian diet. (Raising animals for food
consumes vast quantities of natural resources, including
water, land, and oil; destroys habitats; and generates a
tremendous amount of water and air pollution.)
5. Encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to save
resources too.
6. Learn about conservation issues in your community or
state. Write your legislators and let them know where you
stand on the issues.
7. Teach children to respect nature and the environment.
Take them on hikes or camping. Help them plant a tree or
build a birdhouse. Teach them by example.
For this you should look at
Environment protection starting at home
1. Store food in re-usable containers, instead of plastic
wrap or aluminum foil.
2. Take unwanted, re-usable items to a charitable organization
or thrift shop.
3. Don't leave water running needlessly.
4. Turn off the lights, TV, or other electrical appliances
when you are out of a room.
5. Flush the toilet less often. (If you cut flushing in
half, you'll save up to 30 ltr a day.)
Environment protection going on in your yard
1. Start a compost pile.
2. Pull weeds instead of using herbicides.
3. Use only organic fertilizers. (They are still the best.)
4. Compost your leaves and yard debris, or take them to
a yard debris recycler. (Burning them creates air pollution,
and putting them out with the trash wastes landfill space.)
5. Use mulch to conserve water in your garden.
Environment protection going on in your car
1. Keep your car tuned up.
2. Use public transport whenever possible.
3. Recycle your engine oil.
4. Keep your tires properly inflated to save gas.
5. Don't litter our roads and highways. Save trash and dispose
of it at a rest stop.
Environment protection going on at your business
1. Use scrap paper for informal notes to yourself and others.
2. Print or copy on both sides of the paper.
3. Use smaller paper for smaller memos.
4. Re-use manila envelopes and file folders.
Environment protection starting when you’re shopping
1 Buy paper products instead of plastic if you must buy
"disposables." They break down better in the environment
and don't deplete the ozone layer as much.
2 Buy locally grown food and locally made products when
possible.
3 Don't buy products made from endangered animals.
6 You can also help at Disaster Relief Organizations
Volunteers are extremely vital during times of disaster
-- whether it is manmade or Mother Nature-made. Find Disaster
Relief organizations.
7. Museums and Arts are an interesting place to be active
at
Museums are wonderful places to volunteer -- educational
and helpful. Contact any museum (art, sculpture, science,
children's) in your area to find out more.
Almost half of our nation's public schools do not have any
arts curriculum. A budget for the National Endowment for
the Arts is nearly nil.
Research has shown that at-risk students who are actively
engaged in after-school learning and arts productions develop
self-esteem and confidence, assume leadership roles, and
improve overall school performance. Students who studied
the arts scored 83 points higher on the SAT than students
who did not. Younger adults are also showing an increased
interest in the performing and visual arts. There was a
4% increase in the number of young adults attending art
events during the 1990s.
There are many areas where you can get active, choose yourself.
Build Community Arts Programs
Promote Arts Education
Support Libraries
Support Museums
Support Performing & Visual Arts
