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Family Volunteering and Teen Internships Updated

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Page Index

U.S. Volunteering Opportunities
Note: some listings that overlap categories may be repeated.
Check out the possibilties of Grants
Volunteering as a Family International Opportunities
If you know a volunteer organization or internship that you would like to see added to this page, please send an email.
Teen Internships
Internships may be paid or unpaid. They can often lead to actual employment and also help in college applications.
 
"Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve." — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Animal shelters want volunteer dog walkers. River and lake conservation groups want interns and volunteers. Local zoos and science museums have internships for teens and educational programs for every age." – Laurie Block Spigel, from Education Uncensored

Most states in the US require community service as part of their high school curriculum. Not so with New York. Perhaps that's why New York was recently ranked near the bottom of our fifty states when it comes to volunteering. As parents, we have the power to make volunteering a part of our children's lives. I know of one homeschooled teen who performed 180 hours of volunteer service in a single year! Every local community theater, every library, every hospital and veterinary clinic can be approached for possible community service.

Volunteering is easily combined with improving a wide variety of skills, but the main attraction isn't about academic education, it's about self-esteem and feeling like you actually make a difference. This list includes resources for international traveling and local community service, with parents' comments. And don't forget to include these activities on your kids' resumes and college transcripts!

Whatever their interests, kids can find volunteer organizations that can help them get involved, learn, and be of practical use while gathering invaluable experience.

  • Charity Watch is a website that rates charities by quality and how much donation money actually goes to their cause.

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Annette, founded of AHEAD-NY support group for homeschoolers in Queens, writes: "AHEAD-NY created a tutoring program called "Helping Hands for Education" which provides high school-age reading tutors for students in grades 1 - 5. It meets at a library in Queens. Here is how it happened:

"My teenage son created Helping Hands For Education based on a need he saw at the library. He noticed some of the kids that gathered there after school had literacy difficulties, and the librarians and aides were not able to assist much due to their own duties. We had no trouble finding volunteers as our group, AHEAD, is all teens. The next step was to approach the library with our idea. We chose the branch where we have our co-ops and chess club, and they were certainly on board.

"If you see this as something you could organize, then why don't you build a volunteer community? If there is a library near you, approach them with this idea. It certainly is something that libraries embrace. Then post for volunteers! Just remember it takes a bit of organization and planning, as you need to know how many volunteers you have for the kids, how many kids, and a certain degree of commitment is helpful to have it all run smoothly. (Just call it something other than Helping Hands For Education since that is the name that my son used."

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One parent's comments about volunteering in their own neighborhood and at a women's shelter in the Bronx: "I have so so much to say about volunteering and the value of it - for multiple reasons! Recently, my son and his friends from the block (about six of them) organized a car wash. Although I have mixed feelings about car washing in a time of conservation, I supported their idea and supplied the hose. Well - they made $150.00!!! They were all excited and it was interesting to hear them all discussing what to do with it. I made a suggestion that they save some for future projects, and also that they consider making a difference in someone's life. They decided to donate to Unicef. Once the ball got rolling they all decided to donate their shares!

"The Women's Shelter where I have been involved for years is a huge part of our lives and continues to be a place where we can be of service with kids. It is harder to find places to volunteer where there are kids (lots of privacy protection, etc.) but this is a place that has allowed us in. It's difficult to put into words what an impact gving our time and attention to these very underserved kids has been for our son. The self-esteem and empowerment that comes from helping out is beyond books. The physical act is so important and needed! And doing it so close to home (I think) really gives the kids volunteering a new perspective and gratitude for their own lives."


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U.S. Volunteering Opportunities

Grants

Youth Service America (YSA) lists available grants for volunteer projects

Applicants can use the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as a reference .


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Websites

General Opportunities


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Animals & Nature Opportunities


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Community Service Opportunities


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Conservation & Ecology Opportunities


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Education Opportunities


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Opportunities to Help Others updated

Outdoor Opportunities


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Science & Technology Opportunities


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Writing & Reporting Opportunities


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International Information

See Student Exchange and Travel Info

Books & Articles


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Websites


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Teen Internships

General Lists


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Animals & Nature Internships


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Civics Internships


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Conservation & Ecology Internships Internships


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Community Service Internships new


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Museum Internships


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Music Internships


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Science, Technology, & Math Internships


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Theater Internships updated


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Visual Arts Internships


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