It's summertime, school is out, and your teens may have time on their hands. They need a break from school, but too much unstructured time quickly grows old. You want their summer to be fun, productive, and enriching, so what are their options? For a teen, volunteering can be an exciting option.
Volunteering to Make A Difference
Many organizations in Louisville need volunteer help from people of all ages. If you volunteer yourself, you may be able to bring your kids along to help out regardless of age, but many organizations would welcome teen help. Even volunteering for a few hours a week can make a difference. Even if your teen has a job, there are ways to help. <!-- pagebreak -->
In times when budgets are tight, volunteers help to provide needed services while offering the helpers develop new skills and promote the idea of giving back to the community. The volunteer opportunity that your child pursues could help them identify interests that may be life-long passions or even fields of study for future careers.
Last year, over 18,000 people contributed $5 million in time through the city's Volunteer Center to help out all kinds of organizations, but many other organizations need help too. For all teen volunteering opportunities with the Louisville Metro Volunteer Center, click here.
Options For Teen Volunteering
If your kids love animals, for example, the Zoo or animal facilities such as Louisville Metro Animal Services (MAS) could use their help. MAS could use help with office tasks such as greeting visitors, working with animals, working adoption counselors, or kennel care. The Louisville Zoo has a volunteer program for kids 13-18 who are considering a career in veterinary services, and many other opportunities as well.
Organizations such as the Science Center seek volunteers 14 and older, but even have opportunities for kids 5 and over who come with an adult. Younger children might encourage others to play with the interactive displays, while teens and adults might assist with preparing and cleaning up for events, working on the grounds, helping to host birthday parties, or acting a guide. Volunteer opportunities for kids may be closed for this year, as most teen volunteers are lined up by February of each year. Click here for Science Center volunteer opportunities.
The Louisville Metro Parks needs help in the parks, arts or athletics programs, and community centers it manages. The department has set up many one-day events, but has ongoing needs as well. The Louisville Nature Center needs help too with a variety of outdoor activities.
Area hospitals also welcome teen volunteers. Some, like the Baptist Health, benefit from 5,000 hours of teen service each summer and have a training program for teens to assist in nursing units, physical therapy, child development, and other areas of the hospital. After a one-day training in June, volunteers work a day a week through August. Find out more information here.
Finding Teen Volunteering Opportunities
Aside from what is listed here, there are many locations in Louisville that could use a hand this summer. IF you don't find what you are looking for through the city, go to almost any organization's website to see if they have a "Volunteer" section. On the site for the Frazier History Museum, for example, you'll find teen volunteering opportunities as Education Summer Camp Aides that could make for an unexpectedly exciting summer. A little internet searching can open up a whole new world of summer fun.
Volunteer in Louisville! I'm Jessica Gaines of Louisville Gaines Real Estate. When I am not pursuing my first love of buying and selling homes in Louisville, I volunteer for animal rescue causes that I am passionate about. Contact me for more information about Louisville real estate.
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