Tag Archives: Volunteering

Helping Foster Care Teens Grow Up

My last blog talked about a problem most people rarely think about: the high rates of homelessness, unemployment, dropping out of school before gaining a diploma, and unplanned pregnancy found among older teens who suddenly stop being cared for by the foster care system once they turn 18. Many 18-year-olds are still in high school. Many more foster youth will not finish on time because of difficulties caused by changing schools due to frequent foster care moves. One agency providing tutoring to foster children estimated that their clients’ reading levels were 5-6 years behind their age—this means an 18-year-old reading … Continue reading →

Need to Get Motivated? Consider Community Service

I maintain that running a solid, successful business and being an involved community member go hand-in-hand. Some of the most successful business people I have known have also been quite involved in community and civic projects. Now, I’m not just talking about writing a check or making a donation here—I think that spending some time on community service is one of the best ways to motivate oneself and invigorate a small business. Community service can be anything that moves you and that you feel passionate about. If you are volunteering just to make contacts or choosing a cause that is … Continue reading →

Getting Involved With Your Teen’s School Without Causing Embarrassment

The other night, I attended yet another parent open house. I have been to so many of these over the years that I’ve lost count. Now my children are older teenagers and nearly done with public school–my years of volunteering in the classroom, draped with my proud child-student are long gone. When I was at the open house, several teachers invited the parents to come and visit and sit in on their child’s class or even volunteer. I couldn’t help but think how I would have felt at seventeen if my mom came in to sit in class–it would have … Continue reading →

Volunteering Has Its Frugal Benefits

There is no doubt that volunteering is a great thing to do. Think of all of the people that you help when you volunteer! That is the main reason to do it. But, volunteering has its frugal benefits, too. Many times there are perks that go with the volunteering job that save you money. Do you like books? Volunteer at a library. Some of the perks as a library volunteer may include the waiving of late fees, being first on the list to check out new books and an influence over which new books to library orders. Volunteering at a … Continue reading →

Volunteer Cuddler Programs Help Preemies

Having to leave your baby in the hospital is heart wrenching. I was talking with one fellow MOM (mother of multiples) recently who recounted her experiences with her preemie twins. She said she spent 16 hour days at the hospital with her twins for 6 weeks while they were in the NICU. However, not every mom can spend that much time in the hospital for extended periods of time. Enter the Volunteer Cuddler Program. These special ladies (and I suppose men could do it too), volunteer their time to go to the hospital and cuddle preemies. Cuddling Gets Started Preemies … Continue reading →

Start A Family Tradition: Community Service

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I have talked about family traditions before. Here’s a different kind of family tradition, one where your family gives back to the community. I have also talked about the benefits of volunteering, another great way to get your kids involved in the community. Why not start a family tradition of community service? If you look around your community, I am sure you will find things that need to be done and can be done without a lot of expense. For instance, something as simple as picking up debris in your neighborhood or cleaning up a local park can be done … Continue reading →

The Open Road and a Carload of Puppies

Back in March I started to learn more about volunteer animal transports. A group of animal lovers share the driving duties to help get shelter pets from a dangerous situation (like a high volume kill shelter) to a safe one (like a no-kill shelter, foster home, or forever home). I had signed up for one transport, but last minute changes meant I wasn’t needed. Between schedule conflicts and other excuses, I finally got my chance to do my first transport on Saturday the 3rd. Let me just say — I was kind of nervous. I didn’t really know what was … Continue reading →

How Volunteering Can Help Your Business

Looking for ways to boost your business, expand your network and get more involved in your community? Volunteering is one way you can do a lot of positive things all at the same time. You may know that volunteering is good for you and your community, but it might not have dawned on you that volunteering can actually help you build your business too. Get involved with volunteer projects, committees, fundraisers and even joining a board of directors for a nonprofit organization are ways many individuals extend their social and business contacts. Volunteering is a really fabulous way to meet … Continue reading →

More Ways To Help Foster A Sense Of Community In Your Kids

In an earlier blog, I talked about ways to volunteer in order to teach your kids to have a sense of community. In this blog, getting to know your neighbors is the goal. Here’s what the authors of, 365 Ways to Help Your Children Grow, suggest: (1) Have a neighborhood block party— Make up a flyer and put one in each of your neighbor’s mailbox. Have everyone bring a dish and party at your house, in the street or at a local park. (2) Start an after school child care service— The authors suggest that you find out which mothers … Continue reading →

Helping Foster A Sense of Communty In Your Kids

In a previous blog, I talked about the benefits of teens volunteering. Volunteering is a great way to foster a sense of community in your kids and in their book, 365 Ways to Help Your Children Grow, the authors give several ideas on ways your family can volunteer together. Here are some of them: (1) Adopt A Grandparent — Find an elderly neighbor or a resident in a nursing home who may not have any family nearby and become their surrogate family. (2) Adopt A Family — If you know of a less fortunate family in your neighborhood, your family … Continue reading →