With spring break just around the corner, now is a great time for students to start planning how they are going to serve their community during the break! Students have the opportunity to make a huge difference in their communities and the world around them by using their unique skills and talents. This blog can be a resource for students who are struggling to find ways to serve. Can’t serve in-person? No worries, we’ve included ideas for virtual service as well!
Utilize Your Talents (Virtual or In Person)
As a student, you have many talents that you can utilize to serve others in your community and abroad! Whether it’s tutoring other students, playing an instrument in your church band, knitting garments for donation to shelters, or using coding or social media experience to serve an organization online, your talents can make a difference in your community – all while having fun!
Serve Your Neighborhood (In Person)
A great way to serve your community is to ask your neighbors how you can help. You can offer free services like lawn-mowing, gardening/weeding, raking leaves, walking the dogs, and other things they may need help with!
Environmental Engagement (In Person)
Help keep your community beautiful by going to parks, neighborhoods, beaches, and hiking trails and picking up trash. Or lead outdoor tours or activities for students. If you want to increase your impact, you can contact environmental nonprofits to participate in their events.
Be My Eyes (Virtual Opportunity)
Be My Eyes is a nonprofit organization that helps visually impaired individuals by matching them with sighted volunteers to assist them with daily tasks through an app. Both parties download the app, and volunteers receive video calls from the users. Volunteers help them with reading, navigating surroundings, styling outfits, etc.
Animal Shelter (In Person)
If you have a passion for animals, helping your local animal shelter is a great way to incorporate something you love into a volunteer service. Volunteer tasks include playing with pets, cleaning cages, feeding, brushing, and answering phones. Reach out to an animal shelter near you to learn about what opportunities they offer!
Local Library (In Person)
Many libraries feature reading programs to engage in reading sessions with children. You could also donate your old books to the library or offer to organize and replenish shelves. Reach out to your local library to see what kind of volunteer opportunities they offer.
Opportunities in x2VOL
Don't forget to check out the Opportunities section in your x2VOL account for additional service projects. You can search for service projects posted by your school and local nonprofit organizations. Simply log in and navigate to the Opportunities section. Don't have x2VOL at your school? Check out our demo below and reach out to our team!
What Do I Do When I'm Done Serving?
Be sure to log your hours in your x2VOL account and write reflections on your experience. There’s so much to learn when volunteering – what did you learn about yourself? What did you learn about your community or group of people you were serving?
Are You A Service Leader At Your School?
If you are a service leader or admin at your school and you'd like to bring x2VOL to your school or district view our one-minute demo or provide your information in the link below and our team will reach out to you.
