Try finding young volunteers in places like these:

• Church youth groups.
• Local schools. Many have community service requirements and service learning coordinators who can work with you.
• Youth organizations, clubs, scouting groups, and sports leagues. Service clubs such as Kiwanis or Lions Clubs; Circle K's that have a youth component.
• After school programs; community centers.
• The social network of young peoples' friends and parents.
• Kids Care Clubs

Young people in tough communities may need some extra encouragement to give time to volunteering. Try the following tips to involve young volunteers more effectively:

• Bring them in from the beginning of planning your project and listen to their ideas during all phases.
• Consider obstacles like transportation and time limitations and design volunteer positions that are flexible.
• Develop training that teaches young people to be leaders in their community.
• Be flexible. Include fun and informality in projects.
• Make sure adult volunteers include young volunteers.
• Have youth volunteers work with good role models. Their behavior and attitudes will mirror what they are see.
• Make expectations of young people clear to them.
• Show them step by step what is involved in the job or task assigned to them.
• Keep lines of communication open by asking questions and really listening to their answers and questions.
• Take the input of youth seriously and be willing to learn from them.
• Don't withhold information and knowledge from them. Build real partnerships with them.
• Encourage young people to take initiative to undertake their own projects. Get ideas from JOIN HANDS DAY.

Additional ideas and tools on engaging youth volunteers are here.

Learn about how to create effective messages to recruit volunteers.

Young People
Older Adults
Families
Employees
Occasional Volunteers