50 Community Service Ideas for Teen Volunteers
Posted by Laura Jackson
Today's teens participate in community service for a variety of reasons: school requirements, club participation, college resume building and a simple desire to do good. Finding service opportunities you are passionate about is vital to the experience, especially if you want to nurture a lifelong love for giving back.
Encourage Healthy Living
- Volunteer to help staff or create a booth at a local health fair. Many national organizations such as the American Heart Association, the Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will provide free resources to help make your event successful.
- Sign up to be a coach or assistant coach to a youth team for a sport you love. Teaching others will give you a multitude of new skills.
- Participate in a 5K run. You can find one for almost any cause. Make sure you raise money as well — set a stretch goal beforehand and see if you can meet it.
- Volunteer at a race by taking registrations, handing out water or cheering runners at a charity marathon.
- Become a Safety Ambassador for the National Safety Council and help educate others on preventable injuries at home, work and on the road. One of their programs advocates against distracted teen driving.
Use Your Technology Expertise
- Volunteer to set up a social media account for a local nonprofit. Educate a staff member how to use the tools or volunteer to post on a regular basis.
- Teach computer skills to a senior. Look for opportunities at local assisted living centers and nursing homes.
