There are many opportunities for volunteer work no matter where you live. Giving your time to a charity can give seniors a tremendous sense of confidence. Volunteering for an organization is a great way to expand your social circle and meet other active seniors. There may have circumstances in your own life when you were given a helping hand. Working for a charity gives older citizens the chance to “pay it forward.” It’s a chance to strengthen the community in which you live. Studies conducted by The Corporation for National and Community Service reports that volunteering even helps you live longer and promotes a positive outlook on life.
Once you have decided to become involved in charity work, there are several points to consider. What are your talents and skills? Do you have a background in sales or bookkeeping? Are you good at cooking? Are you a talented teacher? Do you love children? Non-profit organizations, community centers and public programs will likely be thrilled to use your skills somewhere in their programs. Volunteer work also provides seniors with a great opportunity to discover new talents. Perhaps you would have loved to pursue a career as a teacher but you chose a different path in your life. This may be a time to try something entirely new and exciting.
It’s also essential for you to realistically consider what your availability for volunteer work is going to be. Don’t over commit yourself. The act of volunteering should be a pleasurable experience rather than a chore. It will begin to show in your work and attitude if you overextend yourself. Take some time to examine your passions. What are the areas in our world that you are most concerned about? Is the environment an area of interest for you? Do you have a special place in your heart for disabled individuals or troubled teens? Personal struggles you have encountered and overcome in your own life can be a tremendous inspiration to those in need. This aspect may be a factor in ultimately deciding which group or agency you choose to work with.
Finding volunteer opportunities should be relatively easy. Begin by talking with those in your neighborhood and in your church. Your public library often sponsors literacy programs. If there’s a need in your community that isn’t being addressed, you may consider organizing a volunteer program to meet the need. The Internet is a vast resource for finding volunteer positions. United Way and Volunteers of America are national organizations that have websites that allow you to enter your zip code to find local opportunities. The Corporation for National Community Service is a government entity with a division called Senior Corps that connects volunteers 55 and older with local service opportunities. The website for Senior Corps also allows visitors to find local volunteer openings by entering a zip code. Two volunteer programs associated with the Senior Corps include the Foster Grandparents Program and the Senior Companion Program. The Foster Grandparent Program connects volunteers over age sixty with children and young people with exceptional needs while the Senior Companion Program brings together volunteers over the age of sixty with adults in their community who have difficulty with tasks related to daily living. Additional information about this organization can be obtained via e-mail at info@cns.gov.
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