How to help kids in your community
Volunteering inside or outside of the school can create an environment of support for educators
People give back to their communities in various ways. Some support local charities by volunteering or making financial donations, while others may deliver meals to convalescents who cannot leave their homes. Helping kids, whether inside or outside of the school environment, is a popular way to give back to your community. And helping kids is not just for parents, as young adults and older adults with no children of their own or those whose children are fully grown can give back to kids in their communities in various ways. These positive interactions can be beneficial to young people in all areas of their lives.
Coaching
Youth sports leagues rely on volunteers to run smoothly. Youth sports league coaches are not paid, so each coach is a volunteer. Inquire with your local government office about how to become a youth sports coach in your community. In many instances, no coaching experience is necessary to coach youth sports. However, prospective coaches will likely have to undergo training before they can patrol the sidelines. Such training may include everything from coaching pointers to emergency medical training and more. If you don’t feel inclined to coach, there are lots of administrative duties that can be shared within a team. Consider volunteering to organize rides to games, initiate fundraisers or collect registration dues. Many hands make light work!
Teaching
Teaching school is a full-time job, but not all teaching gigs are paid. Adults with knowledge to pass along to the next generation may want to explore volunteer teaching opportunities. Successful professionals can share their professional expertise with high school or college students through community-sponsored programs. Amateur or professional musicians can offer lessons to youngsters interested in learning an instrument, while writers can teach kids about writing. Volunteer teaching opportunities may be easiest to find by speaking to local boys and girls clubs or schools that offer weekend or after school programs.
Fitness
Kids who are not involved in organized athletics may still enjoy exercise, which provides even more opportunities for adults to give back to the youth in their communities. For example, cycling enthusiasts can work with local youth organizations to sponsor cycling groups for kids. If hiking or kayaking is your passion, look into organizing trips to nearby state parks where kids can hike and/or kayak and learn to love the great outdoors.
Mentoring
Many young people benefit from the guidance of mentors. Mentoring can be done through a variety of local organizations, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, or through local school systems that connect professionals from certain fields with students interested in pursuing careers in those fields.