Please let us know of any additional resources you think should be added to this list by sending an email to familysupport@aed.org
Research shows that people who get involved with other people and form friendships are often healthier. What better way to do this than by volunteering. Helping others is important, both for the people who benefit from the assistance and to the volunteers themselves.
Citizens see the value to community service through volunteer activities. Many schools now require students to participate in community services. Clearly volunteering is a good thing to do.
Volunteering is becoming more and more prevalent across the country. New research at VolunteeringInAmerica.gov shows that despite all the additional stresses of a difficult economy, volunteers are still serving. The Health Benefits of Volunteering: A Review of Recent Research has found a significant connection between volunteering and good health. The report shows that volunteers have greater longevity, higher functional ability, lower rates of depression and less incidence of heart disease. http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/
volunteering/index.asp
“Over the past two decades we have seen a growing body of research that indicates volunteering provides individual health benefits in addition to social benefits. This research has established a strong relationship between volunteering and health: those who volunteer have lower mortality rates, greater functional ability, and lower rates of depression later in life than those who do not volunteer.” Corporation for National and Community Service, Office of Research and Policy Development. The Health Benefits of Volunteering: A Review of Recent Research, Washington, DC 2007.
http://www.nationalservice.gov/pdf/07_0506_hbr.pdf
People of all ages, children to seniors, seek volunteer opportunities. There are a range of situations where volunteers are needed, providing opportunities for people with a wide range of skills, experience and availability. Volunteering is an opportunity to contribute to a cause and your community and it is a way to get work experience and build a resume. And on top of all that, it’s an opportunity to meet new friends.
To find the right opportunities for you, read on.
The Serve America Act reauthorizes and expands national service programs administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency created in 1993. The Corporation engages four million Americans in result-driven service each year, including 75,000 AmeriCorps members, 492,000 Senior Corps volunteers, 1.1 million Learn and Serve America students, and 2.2 million additional community volunteers mobilized and managed through the agency’s programs.
Learn more about the Serve America Act from the following links:
http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/serveamerica/index.asp
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-1388
Ensuring Programmatic and Facility Accessibility in National and Community Service Programs
A checklist to help national and community service programs include volunteers with disabilities.
http://www.nationalserviceresources.org/access-checklist
Tools and training for volunteer and service programs
Check this link for a list of resources on volunteering with a disability perspective. http://www.nationalserviceresources.org/practices/topic/152
Change.org
This web site was developed to raise awareness about causes important to many Americans. You can search the web site to find a cause of interest to you. The site lists a great number and variety of causes and directs users to ways to take action to support a cause of importance to them.
http://www.change.org
Hands on Network
Over 1,000 tools, links, tips and resources available to help you get involved in your community. This list offers ideas for companies and community organizations as well as opportunities for individuals.
http://www.handsonnetwork.org/
Social Citizens
Social Citizens explores the potential impact of individuals who are combining their use of digital tools and people power to make change in their communities and around the globe. The Social Citizens program plans to lift up and share examples of how the rising generation is helping to redefine the face of giving across all ages and backgrounds
http://www.casefoundation.org/projects/social-citizens
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There are all kinds of people volunteering, people of all ages, in all parts of the country with a wide range of experience. There are many opportunities for individuals with disabilities to volunteer and provide services to others. There are also many opportunities to volunteer to help individuals with disabilities.
Look around your community. Check with your local recreation centers, parks, schools, religious organizations, retirement homes, disability programs, literacy organizations, justice systems, libraries, transit providers, political parties, voting sites, and more.
Check with organizations and causes you support; they too will need volunteers. Many states have state wide volunteer offices; check this out your state either on line or by contacting the Governor’s office.
Opportunities are literally everywhere.
There are a great many opportunities to help everywhere. We present a list of national resources to assist you in finding opportunities that suit your interests, abilities, time and location.
Volunteer Match
The organization offers a variety of online services to support a community of nonprofit, volunteer and business leaders committed to civic engagement.
Write in your zip code and key word “disability” to find opportunities near you where volunteers are needed.
http://www.volunteermatch.org/
Virtual Volunteering Resources
Here is information and connections for those who want to be virtual volunteers and for those seeking virtual volunteers. Virtual volunteering allows anyone to contribute time and expertise from his/her home or office to not-for-profit organizations, schools, government offices and other agencies that utilize volunteer services.
http://www.serviceleader.org/new/virtual/
Serve America
This website provides an online resource for finding volunteer opportunities in your community and also on creating your own opportunities.
http://www.serve.gov/
Points of Light Foundation
They offer a variety of programs for volunteers, including two national programs that connect individuals to local volunteer opportunities to match their interests and skills. You can reach them on line or by calling 1 800 865 8683.
http://www.pointsoflight.org/
Volunteering is Easy
This is a national database of volunteer opportunities, in English and Spanish.
http://1-800-volunteer.org/1800Vol/OpenIndexAction.do
Volunteer.gov
Find a volunteer opportunity in federal, national and state government agencies.
http://www.volunteer.gov/gov/
Mobility International Volunteer Opportunities in the U.S.
Volunteer opportunities for people with disabilities here in the U.S.
http://www.miusa.org/ncde/intlopportunities/
comingtousa/volunteerinbound/?searchterm=volunteer
Guide Dog Foundation of America
Volunteers are needed as Puppy Walkers, in the Kennel Program, as Class Volunteers and as Office Volunteers. For details, go to the web site.
http://www.guidedog.org/Content.aspx?id=508
America’s Promise Alliance
A cross-sector partnership of more than 300 corporations, nonprofits, faith-based organizations and advocacy groups that are passionate about improving lives and changing outcomes for children
http://www.americaspromise.org/About-the-Alliance.aspx
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps offers opportunities for adults of all ages and backgrounds to serve through a network of partnerships with local and national nonprofit groups.
http://www.americorps.gov/home/site_map/index.asp
United We Serve
Connects to all sorts of volunteer opportunities.
http://www.serve.gov/
Nurses: volunteering with disabilities
Nurses who have acquired a disability are involved in volunteer activities.
http://www.nursetogether.com/tabid/157/
itemid/1095/Nurses-Volunteering-with-a-Disability.aspx
Twilight Wish Foundation
Volunteers help the Foundation grant wishes and fund award celebrations for seniors.
http://www.twilightwishfoundation.org/
modules/liaise/index.php?form_id=4
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Special Olympics
Volunteer to help athletes with intellectual disabilities participate in Special Olympic games and events, and make new friends.
http://www.specialolympics.org/volunteers.aspx
The National Center for Family Literacy
Help children and adults increase their reading skills. This web site includes information on helping people with disabilities as well as assisting with disability awareness programs
http://literacynetwork.verizon.org/TLN/content/think-engaging-productive-powerful
National Court Appointed Special Advocates Association
CASA is the volunteer organization that empowers everyday citizens as officers of the court. Volunteers, appointed by judges, work with abused and neglected children, some of whom are children with disabilities.
http://www.nationalcasa.org/
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters matches children ages 6 through 18 with mentors in professionally supported one-to-one relationships. There are volunteer programs in communities across the country. This web site is in both English and Spanish.
http://www.bbbs.org/site/c.diJKKYPLJvH/
b.1539751/k.BDB6/Home.htm
Easter Seals
Volunteer your time to work with children and adults and share your talents, whether it's performing office work, volunteering at an event or camp, or helping in another way. Opportunities in every state.
http://www.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=ntl_volunteering
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Our population is aging and we are producing a great resource for our communities and country. We have a large group of people with a wide range of experience and talent to offer. People 55 and over bring two kinds of knowledge: an understanding of life and circumstance along with years of applied skills and they can mentor and direct the next generations. And it’s good for you:
“Studies of the relationship between volunteering and health demonstrate that there is a significant relationship between volunteering and good health: when older adults volunteer, they not only help their community but also experience better health in later years, whether in terms of greater longevity, higher functional ability, or lower rates of depression.”
http://www.nationalservice.gov/pdf/07_0506_hbr_brief.pdf
50+ Volunteering: Working for Stronger Communities
A great booklet for baby boomers and older folks interested in learning more about volunteering. http://nationalserviceresources.org/files/legacy/
filemanager/download/WorkingForStrongerCommunities.pdf
Utilizing Volunteers with Disabilities in Senior Corps programs
Examples of ways in which volunteers with disabilities are making a difference in the lives of those they serve.
http://www.nationalserviceresources.org/practices/17817
Health Benefits of Volunteering: A Review of Recent Research
This research has established a strong relationship between volunteering and health: those who volunteer have lower mortality rates, greater functional ability, and lower rates of depression later in life than those who do not volunteer.
http://www.nationalservice.gov/pdf/07_0506_hbr_brief.pdf
Make a Difference
This is the AARP web site on volunteering.
http://www.aarp.org/makeadifference/volunteer/
Foster Grandparents
Foster Grandparents are individuals age 60 and over who thrive on direct interaction with children and believe they can make a difference in their lives. Income-eligible Foster Grandparents receive a modest stipend to help offset the costs of volunteering.
http://www.seniorcorps.gov/about/programs/fg.asp
RSVP – Retired Senior Volunteer Programs
RSVP is for retirees 55 and over. Volunteers receive pre-service orientation, training from the organization where they serve, and supplemental insurance while on duty. Look at the blue box on the right side of the page for a state by state database of volunteer offices.
http://www.seniorcorps.gov/about/programs/rsvp.asp
Create the Good
This website is sponsored by AARP and is about helping others. There are a range of causes to choose from. The site connects you with opportunities to help others in your community or to post volunteer opportunities.
http://www.aarp.org/makeadifference/volunteer/create_the_good/
Experience Corps
Experience Corps members tutor and mentor elementary school students, help teachers in the classroom, and lead after-school enrichment activities.
http://www.experiencecorps.org/index.cfm
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Disabled American Veterans Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer to drive a van, help in a VA hospital and help Vets in your community.
http://dav.org/volunteers/Opportunities.aspx
Coalition for Iraq + Afghanistan Veterans
This is a national non-partisan partnership of organizations committed to volunteering with and on behalf of all military, veterans, families, survivors and providers to strengthen care and support for all those affected by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. http://coalitionforveterans.org/volunteer/
Fit For Life Veteran Volunteer Corps
The Fit for Life Corps is a volunteer group consisting of veterans, their families, friends, VSO groups and anyone interested in supporting the HealthierUS Veterans effort.
http://www.healthierusveterans.va.gov/FitForLife.asp
The American Legion
The VA offers an abundance of opportunities for everyone to contribute as a volunteer in your own way and for your own reasons. This web site will tell you how to get involved.
http://www.legion.org/veterans/affairs/volunteer
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Family Cares
FamilyCares, a program of HandsOn Network, promotes compassion and inspires families to volunteer in their communities and beyond by equipping them with resources and hands-on projects that help others in need.
http://www.familycares.org/
The Volunteer Family
This site provides information about volunteering as a family.
http://www.thevolunteerfamily.org/Default.aspx
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Youth Volunteer Corps of America
Volunteer opportunities for youth ages 11 through 18 with links to local community programs.
http://www.yvca.org/?page=get_involved_volunteer
Service Learning
Educating for Active Citizenship: Service-Learning, School-Based Service and Youth Civic Engagement
This is part of the Youth Helping America Series. This brief focuses on participation in school-based service — service opportunities made available or required by schools — among middle school and high school aged youth.
http://www.nationalservice.gov/pdf/06_0323_SL_briefing.pdf
Learn and Serve in Your State
Find opportunities for youth where you live including school-based programs, community-based programs, programs for Tribes and U.S. territories, and higher education programs.
http://www.learnandserve.gov/about/role_impact/state_profiles.asp
Youth Service America (YSA)
YSA seeks to improve communities by increasing the number and diversity of young people, ages 5-25, serving in important roles. YSA is an international nonprofit resource center that partners with thousands of organizations in more than 100 countries to expand the impact of the youth service movement with families, communities, schools, corporations, and governments.
http://www.ysa.org/
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Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act of 2009
The Serve America Act reauthorizes and expands national service programs administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency created in 1993.
http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/serveamerica/index.asp
National and Community Services
Click here for reports and links to research and analysis of volunteer activities of both youth and adults.
http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/role_impact/performance_research.asp
Volunteering in America
This is a report on volunteering. Find data on volunteer activities in every state and territory -- a total of 61.8 million Americans volunteered through an organization in 2008, up one million from the previous year.
http://www.volunteeringinamerica.gov/
And for data and statistics on volunteering in each state and territory from the Corporation for National and Community Service, check out this link:
http://www.volunteeringinamerica.gov/index.cfm
Building Active Citizens: The Role of Social Institutions in Teen Volunteering.
This survey collected information on teen volunteering habits, experiences with school-based service-learning and other forms of civic engagement.
Corporation for National and Community Service. Building Active Citizens: The Role of Social Institutions in Teen Volunteering. Brief 1 in the Youth Helping America series. Washington, DC. November 2005.
http://www.learnandserve.gov/pdf/05_1130_LSA_YHA_study.pdf
2008 Youth Volunteering and Civic Engagement Survey
The 2008 Youth Volunteering and Civic Engagement Survey is a study that looks at the volunteering and school-based service-learning activities of youth between the ages of 12 and 18.
http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/role_impact/youthsurvey.asp
“Volunteering in the United States: 2008”
Bureau of Labor Statistics
This report provides data on people who volunteer
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/volun.nr0.htm
in PDF http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/volun.pdf
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There are many benefits to be gained from serving as a volunteer. There are the rewards of helping others and civic service, there are health benefits, opportunities to meet like-minded people, and there may be career benefits as well.
And of course it is always important to recognize the value and work of our volunteers. Here are some programs that do just that. Local and state volunteer offices may also recognize service, so be sure to check.
Presidents Volunteer Service Award Program
The President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation recognizes the valuable contributions volunteers are making in our communities and encourage more people to serve.
http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/tg/pvsainfo/dspAboutAwards.cfm
Volunteer Pass
A Volunteer Pass is awarded to those individuals who volunteer 500 hours on recreation lands managed by one or more of five Federal agencies.
http://store.usgs.gov/pass/volunteer.html
Disabled American Veterans
The Disabled American Veterans' Voluntary Services Program offers awards to volunteers who help make a difference in the lives of disabled veterans.
http://www.dav.org/volunteers/Default.aspx
MetLife Foundation Older Volunteers Enrich America Awards (OVEA) Program
Honors both older volunteers and older volunteer programs that make our communities better places to live.
http://www.n4a.org/programs/metlife-older-volunteers/
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