Importance of community service + virtual opportunities!

June 3rd, 2020 / Source: The Bizz USA
By Haarika Kalahasti

Picture via The Wesley School.

         In the midst of the global pandemic and our busy lives, volunteering may seem like an impossible duty. Required community service attracts many people, as it has a benefit in some way to the giver (they could gain volunteer hours, and look better in college applications & resumes), but voluntary volunteering only comes from very few--the people who want to spend their time and energy helping others and making the world a better place. I strongly believe in community service and I think it is something in today’s society teens should more actively participate in. In my opinion, it should not be done for clubs or college applications, it should be done from the goodness of your heart to serve and help your country. 

            

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         Community service is a defining factor in my life. One way or another, I want to give back to people through my work--that could be through donations, writing articles, going on service trips, and volunteering with the elderly. Like most people, I used to think I had better things to do than volunteering and only did it because it was required. After joining a volunteer organization that required me to do 100+ hours (the irony), I slowly grasped interest in volunteering and started to do it for the sake of helping people. When I volunteer, it’s like time flies. From that program alone, I was able to do almost 300 hours in about 10 months. It not only helped me build phenomenal connections with organizations and people in my county and state, but helped my refresh my mental health and helped me gain more self-confidence. I became more open and was able to present myself to strangers without hesitation. I also happened to attend a service learning trip last year and that experience was truly eye opening. I saw people in conditions that I had never seen in person before and I realized I should be more grateful for the things I have in life and cherish them to the fullest. In addition, I also realized from my volunteering spree that I wanted to involve community service into my career. ​

Image via Goalcast.

Here’s some benefits that you will gain from community service:
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1. Build self-confidence and purpose in your life                                    Community service can help build self-confidence and self-esteem as it builds a sense of accomplishment. It can take you out of your comfort zone (for the good) in where and how you volunteer and creates a positive view and outlook on life. Interacting with other people through volunteering can increase self-confidence as they hopefully are more easily able to interact with others and meet new people.
2. Builds connections                                                                    ​                       Volunteering is a great way to meet new people who also share the same interest in helping the community, like you! It can build new friendships and strengthen some through the common activity. It also can help you build ties with local organizations in your community, county, state, and country, which will hopefully get you to volunteer more!
3. Helps with career/ life-skills                                                                                                                                                                                                                  ​            Like internships or jobs, some volunteering organizations allow you to practice skills common in the workplace, such as teamwork, communication skills, organization, and problem solving. However, volunteering is not paid and from a college or potential employer standpoint, you are likely to be recognized for getting the experience without getting paid. 
4. Gain a Perspective                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       ​             Hopefully getting active in community service will help you gain a perspective on the lives of people from different countries and backgrounds. It can help you appreciate and be grateful for the little things in life and help you realize what is really important in life.
5. Make an Impact in your community                                                                                                                                                                                                                       The key to volunteering is finding something you have passion for. If you have a passion for travel, you could consider a service trip. If you have an interest in helping children, you could volunteer at a tutoring organization or a STEM organization. In some way or another, volunteering directly affects the lives of others and makes an impact on the community. 

    
In summary, if you are not volunteering yet, I strongly recommend you do! It not only appears well on college applications and resumes, but it also will help you in life, which is the most important reason to do it! 



Here’s a list of amazing virtual volunteer opportunities that I've compiled during COVID-19:
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1. Virtual tutoring: https://teensgive.org/
   1. Teens Give connects high school students with community service opportunities that match their interests and helps them make connections, build leadership and communication skills, and complete service hours.
2. Humanity Road: https://www.humanityroad.org/volunteer
   1. ​"When disaster strikes, Humanity Road connects people, animals and emergency officials with help and resources". Volunteers will be able to use technology to connect and verify route information online during disasters and direct the public to the appropriate government agencies that can assist them.
3. Be My Eyes: https://www.bemyeyes.com/
   1. ​Be my eyes is an app that connects blind individuals with volunteers and the company through a call for specialized assistance on tasks.
4. UN volunteers: https://www.onlinevolunteering.org/en​
   1. ​UN online volunteering allows volunteers and organizations to come together to address sustainable development challenges. Volunteers may be given tasks, such as writing and editing, translation, COVID-19 response, research, etc.
5. Right Here At Home: http://rhah.org/
   1. ​Right Here At Home's mission is to "eliminate poverty by using technology to educate" those in poverty.
6. Meals On Wheels: https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/
   1. Meals on Wheels is focused on making sure that the elderly, in particular, are well nourished in communities across USA. Volunteers will deliver meals to elderly who are unable to purchase their own meals.
7. Empower work: https://www.empowerwork.org/volunteer
   1. ​​Empower Work is a hotline that people with work issues may use. Volunteers will go through a training session in order to be a peer counselor and according to their website, it will help you make a difference, improve your communication skills, and be a part of the community.

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Image via Empower Work.