is more likely to participate in a demonstration or rally while older adults, like
baby
b
oomers,
are more likely to call elected officials.
We believe that civic engagement isn’t a one-size-fits all concept and our suggestions for harnessing the power of your voice can be tailored to fit your unique circumstances and values.
Leading Change: A Discussion with Female Leaders in the Social Sector
“We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced.” ― Malala Yousafzai
During Women’s History Month, anchored by International Women’s Day, we celebrate the unique leadership and contributions made by women across generations. There is something remarkable and yet unsurprising about recognizing the inspirational message of a young woman like Malala Yousafzai, who, at age 11 became an activist for education for girls, and at age 17 became the youngest Nobel Peace Prize recipient.
During every age in history, women of every age have made history – some civically engaged as vocal leaders on issues they care about, and some as hidden figures whose contributions influence our lives today.
In celebration of the diversity of ways in which women lead a civic life, we brought together three nonprofit founders from around the world to share their experiences, talk about their work as part of the Points of Light Network, and offer advice to emerging women leaders who will continue to carry forward our collective mission.
Maya Angelou once said, “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style.” Our three video-chat guests embrace and embody this mission.
Mobilizing Corporate and Community Volunteers to Improve Veterans’ Lives, One Home Repair at a Time
Providing support for the men and women who have served in the armed forces is a priority for many social organizations across the United States. Among the critical needs being addressed by these groups, such as providing access to healthcare, education and employment, is the need to help veterans find and maintain safe, sustainable housing. HandsOn Greater Phoenix, a Points of Light affiliate, has stepped up to this challenge, leveraging the power of corporate partnerships and volunteers to have an impact on the local veteran community.
The organization has been serving the Phoenix metro area for almost 25 years, connecting volunteers with opportunities to serve where they are needed most. Founded as Make A Difference in 1993, the organization set out to meet critical community needs, with a special focus on creating opportunities for working people to serve.
“There were a group of busy professionals that just liked the idea of plugging into multiple issue areas and using groups of colleagues and friends and networks to do good things in the community,” said Rhonda Oliver, president and CEO of HandsOn Greater Phoenix.
After 15 years of rapid growth, the organization re-established itself as HandsOn Greater Phoenix in 2008. Today, it functions as a traditional volunteer center, engaging all types of volunteers in more than 60 high-impact, one-time community service projects each month. But, Rhonda said, corporate volunteers are still a centerpiece of their programming.
Through a long-standing partnership with Home Depot, HandsOn Greater Phoenix mobilizes teams of community and employee volunteers for its Veteran Home Improvement Program – supporting local veterans by providing needs-based home repairs and upgrades for weatherization, code violations or other modifications.
Four “Team Depot Captains” – representing the 39 Home Depot stores in the Greater Phoenix market – each conduct site visits, work with HandsOn Greater Phoenix to identify the improvements each home needs, and connect with local vendors that donate the necessary materials. Projects cover a range of activities, including painting, installing turf yards or even tree removal. Some of the most common projects are exterior paint jobs. HandsOn Greater Phoenix recruits community volunteers for these kinds of projects, as well as calling upon employee volunteers from other local businesses – among which, employees from companies like Wells Fargo, Intel and Cox are all regular contributors.
For more complex or large-scale projects, such as building ramps for disabled veterans, installing windows or walls, or other major modifications, Home Depot employees or volunteers from the vendor that donated the materials will offer up their time and skills to do the work.
“Some of our team captains have employees within their stores that have contracting-level experience,” said Steve Woodhams, a project manager at HandsOn Greater Phoenix. In one case, a Home Depot employee with experience as a contractor helped complete a renovation project that added a door in the shared wall between a veteran’s bedroom and her bathroom, giving her some added privacy as she prepared to welcome a foster child into her home. For projects like energy efficient window upgrades, where product warranties are important, employees from the window company often volunteer their time to complete the installation.
Veterans apply for the program through the HandsOn Greater Phoenix website, but they are also identified in a number of other ways, including through word of mouth and through the municipalities they live in, as cities and communities identify homes that are not up to code. The participating Home Depot stores will also identify veteran customers who would benefit from the program.
In addition to veterans, HandsOn Greater Phoenix programs support many causes. Through a youth mentorship program called Your Experience Counts, adults with daytime availability are put in classrooms to work alongside teachers and help ensure students’ academic success. The organization also has an AmeriCorps VISTA program that engages 19 VISTA members as volunteer or program coordinators serving with nonprofit partners across Phoenix, building infrastructure and providing the necessary tools for the nonprofits to more effectively manage their resources. Annual events like Serve-A-Thon, Make A Difference Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and 9/11 Week of Service and Remembrance also provide opportunities for volunteers to get involved.
This year for 9/11 Day of Service, HandsOn Phoenix is planning several projects, including a letter-writing campaign for active-duty service members and a curb address painting project to help first responders identify houses when answering emergency calls. The organization is also planning a veteran home makeover through the Veteran Home Improvement Program. Volunteers will help weatherize the home of WWII veteran Maxine and her daughter, who is her caretaker. The project, which is open to general volunteer sign-ups, will provide energy-efficiency updates and bring the exterior of the home up to city code compliance.
Since its founding, HandsOn Greater Phoenix has mobilized approximately 400,000 volunteers through its programs, events and initiatives. Its partnerships with both local companies and nonprofits make it one example of the many ways that Points of Light network affiliates are using local resources to meet community needs and putting volunteers to work where they are needed most.
Honoring the Historic Contributions of Extraordinary Women Changemakers
Blessed with an industrious and self-disciplined spirit, Susan B. Anthony persevered through the prejudice and culture of her time to emerge as the architect of a movement that secured the passage of the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote. Her belief that U.S. citizenship entitled everyone to the same rights under the constitution formed her platform for lifelong activism.
Anthony is featured on the Points of Light Monument, a one-mile walkway in Washington, D.C., that honors the actions and service of famous Americans who have transformed our nation and the world. During Women’s History Month, we recognize and celebrate the significant contributions that women have made throughout our history, honoring their achievements and the great economic, social and political causes that these points of light dedicated their lives to. Learn about some of the other influential women featured on the Monument:
Harriet Tubman escaped a life of slavery only to return south, at her own peril, time and again, to lead more than 300 fugitive slaves through the Underground Railroad to safety and freedom. After the Civil War, Tubman raised money to clothe and educate newly freed African-American children and established a home for and indigent African-Americans.
Clara Barton lived a lifetime of tireless service to others. During the American Civil War, she became known as the “Angel of the Battlefield,” delivering supplies and caring for the sick and wounded. After the war, Barton organized a campaign to locate missing soldiers. Her enduring legacy was the 1881 founding of the American Red Cross, an organization whose name became synonymous with disaster preparedness, response and relief.
In 1889, Jane Addams, along with Ellen Gates Starr, founded Hull House in Chicago – one of the nation’s first settlement houses. It served as a community center for the poor and its success helped lead to the creation of hundreds of similar organizations in communities across the country. An active reformer throughout her career, Addams was a leader in the women’s suffrage and pacifist movements. She was the first American woman to receive a Nobel Peace Prize, in 1931.
Ida Wells-Barnett crusaded aggressively for civil rights her entire life and was unafraid to exercise those rights when custom ran contrary to the law. Involved in many civil rights causes, she played leadership roles in the women’s suffrage movement and in the founding of the NAACP. Ida Wells-Barnett became the era’s most outspoken crusader for ending the practice of lynching African-Americans.
A blind and deaf writer and activist, Helen Keller was the guiding force behind the American Foundation for the Blind. Keller devoted her life to expanding possibilities for people who are deaf-blind, blind or have low vision. She also campaigned for women’s suffrage and workers’ rights.
These women pioneers were influential in achieving progress for some of our country’s most pressing social and political issues. From the fight for equal rights to establishing important disaster relief and social services, their work and leadership left a lasting impression on the nation and continues to influence social movements today.
Learn about other extraordinary changemakers featured on thePoints of Light Monument, and get involved with a cause you are passionate about in your area atAll For Good.
ServiceWorks Heads into Year 3 with Inspiration, Reflection and Motivation
members across the country in the effort to bring positive change to the lives of opportunity youth and the communities in which they live, there are bound to be plenty of moments.
But rarely since the partnership between AmeriCorps, the Citi Foundation and Points of Light began in 2014 has there been such a powerful confluence of people, inspiration and service than what recently transpired in New York City.
In connection with the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, this year’s cohort of more than 70 ServiceWorks VISTAs came from 22 host sites in 14 cities to gather in Manhattan and be sworn in as AmeriCorps members. They were there to connect not just with each other, but with the movement to give opportunity youth the skills and resources they need for college and career success.
One of those VISTAs was
, who’s been with ServiceWorks at CD Tech in Los Angeles since the beginning. He was honored to be part of a group that included 9/11 Day organizers, along with leaders and champions of national service for a
at the New York Stock Exchange.
What’s it like for someone who grew up in South Central LA and is passionate about improving that community through ServiceWorks to be part of such an experience? Emotional.
“I never thought I would be at this point. Remembering my community and where I come from and having this opportunity has a strong impact,” said Warren. “I can go back and narrate what it meant for me to be up here. Hopefully people back home can see this and know that it’s possible.”
Later that day, the 2016-2017 VISTAs gathered at Citi Foundation headquarters to learn how ServiceWorks fits into Citi’s
initiative and the national service movement in general. For many, it was the first time they began to grasp that they’re now a part of something bigger than themselves, the local nonprofits that host them or even the cities they serve.
Count Nishitkumar Patel, a new ServiceWorks VISTA at Chicago’s Casa Central, was among the enlightened. “Until now, I didn’t realize how big of a community this is, how the cities are connected, how the youth are connected, or how we can learn from each other,” he said.
During an intimate gathering with national service luminaries including Corporation of National and Community Service CEO Wendy Spencer, Be The Change Founder Alan Khazei and 9/11 Day Co-founder David Paine, there were many voices, but one clear message: The next year promises to be transformative for the 16- to 24-year-olds the VISTAs will work with – and through that work – for the VISTAs themselves.
That theme continued at the
. After hearing from thought leaders, policy makers and practitioners about issues and solutions related to improving economic opportunity for the 5.5 million youth who are disconnected from school and work, the VISTAs were sworn in by Gen. (Ret.) Stanley McChrystal, who told the group in front of hundreds in the audience, “All of you are about to embark upon a journey in which you will come out better.”
With a group of people passionate about service, for many, the highlight of their weekend in New York was 9/11 Day. On the 15
th
anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, the VISTAs, who had come together in Manhattan from communities all over the United States, led thousands of local volunteers – including hundreds of Citi employees – in one of the city’s biggest service projects, packing more than 500,000 meals for the hungry.
For Kidist Gebreamlak, a new VISTA at Education is Freedom in Dallas, it was a powerful experience. “It is very meaningful to me because it makes me think where I was 15 years ago and how far I’ve come,” she said. “I am somewhere I never thought I would be. It’s a privilege. It’s an honor to serve here.”
It was yet another moment in a weekend and program full of them. And with year three of ServiceWorks bringing more AmeriCorps VISTAs to more host sites and empowering more young people in more cities than ever before, there will be plenty more moments to come.
Veteran Finds Renewed Purpose Through Volunteering
Through volunteer service, Americans connect with the spirit of unity that arose in the aftermath of 9/11. As Points of Light commemorates the 15th anniversary of 9/11 National Day of Service, we highlight those who have been inspired to give back to their communities.
As a veteran of the armed forces, Brittany Chaney has long been dedicated to giving back to those who have served. Like many veterans, Chaney looked to volunteer service upon leaving the military to ease her transition back to civilian life, and became involved in a variety of service projects through Points of Light affiliate Hands On Orlando. Chaney says she enjoys the opportunity to be involved with a lot of causes – her commitment to volunteerism being the driving force behind it all.
“I have a love for volunteering and being involved in the community.” Reflecting on her time in the Navy, Chaney says the military was one more opportunity to give back.
Through her involvement with Hands On Orlando, Chaney, now 33, came across the opportunity to work as a Frontline Families AmeriCorps member.
Through Frontline Families, Chaney and her fellow veteran volunteers have worked supporting organizations like Fairways for Warriors, a group in central Florida that teaches combat veterans how to use golf as a form of therapy; Crossroads Corral, an organization that hosts equine-assisted learning programs where veterans interact with horses to ease the symptoms of PTSD; and Cocktails for a Cause, an annual fundraiser that supports veteran organizations.
As a Frontline Families AmeriCorps member, Chaney has been responsible for coordinating the volunteer efforts of veterans in the local community. Most recently she has been involved in the Booyah Veteran Bus Project which helps disabled veterans get to and from their doctors’ appointments.
Chaney encourages other veterans to get involved. Volunteering “helps you integrate and get involved again,” she says. “It gives you a sense of purpose.” For veterans who are interested in volunteer service, Chaney recommends visiting their local VA to search for opportunities to serve their community.
In honor of 9/11 Day of Service this year, Chaney and other Hands On Orlando volunteers helped plant 25,000 flags outside the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando to honor those who have served. This is one of many projects Hands On Orlando volunteers participated in across the city, not only honoring service men and women, but also memorializing the June terror attack at the Pulse Nightclub.
You can get involved by sharing a story honoring 9/11 first responders or a service member close to you on Twitter or Instagram using#911Dayand#HonoringService, and visit our 9/11 Day of Service gallery to see how volunteers nationwide commemorated the 15th anniversary through service.
ServiceWorks VISTA is Changing the Narrative in South Central LA
This post is byTracy Hoover, Points of Light’s CEO.
This morning, as part of a 9/11 Day commemoration, I had what anyone would consider a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to stand with a group of service champions to ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange. But what made it even more special was the chance to see it through the eyes of one of my fellow bell-ringers, Alonzo Warren.
Alonzo grew up in South Central Los Angeles. He’s the oldest of 10 children in his family. When he was just 7, one of his parents was laid off and the family was forced to move into public housing. Not long after, they woke up one night to the sound of glass shattering after a firebomb was thrown through the living room window. His home instantly went up in flames.
“We lost everything, generations of family photos, birth certificates, IDs, everything in the house except the clothes we were wearing but no one was hurt. We didn’t have much money, so we were forced to live in our car for a few weeks. It was really tough — a survival situation,” he told me.
As he grew up, Alonzo made friends and stayed away from gangs but still faced tremendous loss and challenges. In ninth grade, he witnessed first-hand a friend being shot and killed. In 11th grade, he lost another friend to a brain tumor. Alonzo says he would ride the public bus for hours, thinking about escaping it all. But as the oldest son, he had a tremendous sense of duty to his family and would always ride the bus back home.
“Choice is the act of hesitation you make before you arrive at a decision,” he said. “That hesitation can be caused by anxiety, or it can be a moment for wisdom. I had some big choices to make — about where my life was heading, about how I was going to change the narrative for the better.”
In 11th grade, Alonzo started a youth program in his school that organized people to help improve the community. In 12th grade, he convened neighborhood meetings to talk about short-term issues and build a longer-term sense of place. After high school, he enrolled in a local community college and began volunteering to mentor younger kids.
As he continued his education and community work, Alonzo realized his purpose in life is his community and the young people he can help on their path to adulthood. “It’s very liberating to actually help your community — to help empower the younger generation to have a voice, and to change the narrative in their neighborhoods,” he told me. He calls his work “asset-based community development,” teaching the “assets” — young people — to find their passion and use their skills to build a better life and a better community.
Alonzo knows that young people today face many barriers to success, including something as simple as the ZIP code they live in. Many lack the soft workplace skills needed in today’s economy. Some don’t have or don’t know how to build a resume. Others can’t afford post-secondary job training or education – or are unsure about navigating the financial aid process. An estimated 1 million students drop out of high school each year. Others are young people involved in the justice system, teen parents or foster care children who aged out of the system without the support needed to create a clear plan for adulthood.
It’s the deep understanding of this reality that many young people face that brought Alonzo to the Points of Light family as an AmeriCorps VISTA member and site leader with ServiceWorks. We’re marking the start of our third year of this groundbreaking national program, powered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Citi Foundation and Points of Light. Through ServiceWorks, we use volunteer service as a way to help underserved youth and young adults in targeted U.S. cities develop the 21st century leadership skills they need to prepare for college and careers. And Alonzo has been with us from the start.
The program is a response to research that shows when underemployed opportunity youth design and run volunteer projects, they have a much better chance of finding good jobs. For example, Alonzo led a ServiceWorks team of young volunteers in designing a strategic approach to building community gardens. The project resulted in a fruit-and-vegetable bartering system between neighborhood blocks, nutrition for local homeless people, public awareness of water needs, and sustainability projects for local schools. At the same time, his team of young volunteers gained the leadership, project management, networking and other workplace skills they’ll need to get hired by local employers.
The ripple effect of a project like that is immeasurable. Not only does it help turn an inner-city food desert into a food oasis, it creates social capital, economic opportunity, and specific, measurable solutions to challenges today’s young people face. And it helps turn South Central LA into a place of opportunity for the next generation.
Watching Alonzo stand on the platform at the New York Stock Exchange to commemorate 9/11 as a day of service was the real once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me. The bell ringing signals the start of another day of opportunity in trading and Alonzo’s achievements represent the great potential of his generation.
You can help change the future for opportunity youth. Explore opportunities to serve as a ServiceWorks volunteer and provide valuable coaching and mentorship to the leaders of tomorrow.
Watch Alonzo Warren ring the Opening Bell at the New York Stock Exchange:
Points of Light Mobilizes Volunteers in Honor of Military Members, Veterans, and First Responders on 9/11 Day of Service
Through volunteer service, Americans connect with the spirit of unity that arose in the aftermath of 9/11. As Points of Light commemorates the 15th anniversary of 9/11 National Day of Service, we highlight those who have been inspired to give back to their communities.
“I’m acutely aware of how things were prior to 9/11. This is the conflict of our generation, and I’ve looked at how it has affected society to see how I could do my part,” said Melissa Ann Sullivan, a passionate volunteer on behalf of U.S. veterans.
Military service is significant for Sullivan, and she has volunteered extensively to show her appreciation and respect. Sullivan has volunteered more than 80 hours with the Armed Forces Retirement Home. Currently, she’s planning a Spa Day for the AFRH ladies of the federally-operated program who account for about 10 percent of the home’s 450 patrons.
“Service is very important to me – something my parents instilled in me at a young age,” says Sullivan, has been recognized with Daily Point of Light Award for her work. This includes working with Honor Flight, an organization that charters flights for World War II veterans nationwide to visit the capital for a day, Sullivan became involved as a greeter for the flights arriving in DC.
Each flight brings between 50 and 90 veterans. Greeters meet them and help those who are physically disabled or who need additional services receive a guardian. In six years, Sullivan has greeted approximately 5,000 veterans and been a guardian for 15.
“Whether I’m working with homeless veterans or older WWII soldiers, volunteering gives me the opportunity to share my gratitude,” she says. “In some cases, veterans share memories of their experiences with me that they’ve never discussed before.”
Share a story honoring 9/11 first responders or a service member close to you on Twitter or Instagram using #911Day and #HonoringService. You can also get involved with our signature events and service projects taking place on the National Mall or one of 30 sites across the country.
ServiceWorks Graduate Goes from Hollywood to the White House
By Jason Meucci, vice president of communications for programs at Points of Light.
Sandy Aguirre during her visit to the White House.
By her own admission, Sandy Aguirre’s story is unbelievable. Some would say it’s the stuff of Hollywood. And in this case, it literally is. Only this fairy tale is a true story.
Actually born in Hollywood, California, this 18-year-old recent graduate of
in Los Angeles, was with her family in Central America, struggling just to get back into her own country.
Yet there she was, in late February, sitting in the State Dining Room of the White House – just a few feet away from Michelle Obama and a panel of celebrity recording artists she’d admired for years. She admits, “It never passed my mind in a million years that I’d ever be at the White House.”
So, how
does
such an improbable thing happen?
It starts with a key theme of the message the First Lady delivered that day: hard work. And working hard has been a core value to Sandy for a long time. Her family worked hard to get back to the U.S. after being robbed of their passports in Honduras, leaving them stranded outside the country during the years she should’ve been in high school. So when she finally got back home, she was ready to work hard to get her GED.
By October of 2015, she was doing just that at ServiceWorks partner YPI – which sits within view of the world-famous sign marking her birthplace. It was there that Cruz Solis, an AmeriCorps VISTA supporting ServiceWorks, noticed Sandy’s determination and yes, work ethic. He asked her if she’d be interested in furthering her development by participating in the program.
A young lady with big goals, ambition and a passion for helping her community, she was excited to enroll in ServiceWorks. It was a decision that immediately led to personal growth – and eventually, the trip of a lifetime. On Tuesday and Thursday evenings last fall, Sandy would join her cohort at YPI for sessions and service projects designed to improve her college readiness and expand her professional development.
“I changed a lot because I was shy. I wouldn’t say anything. Now if I have an idea, I’ll speak out about it. And my family noticed a big difference, because I talked more often. I was always talking about what I learned in ServiceWorks.”
Sandy and Cruz Solis (right) at her ServiceWorks graduation.
Solis saw a similar transformation happening: “She got more confident within herself. The program made her comfortable to stand in front of a room and speak.”
But there was something else he noticed about Sandy – she was always going above and beyond in her assignments, always responsible and dependable. Juggling the demands of working towards her GED, while taking part in ServiceWorks – and working as an assistant, teaching English to adults at a local school, Solis was impressed by her commitment to better herself and her community.
So when YPI asked him if there was a Service Scholar that might be deserving of trip to Washington to attend a White House event honoring Ray Charles for Black History Month, he chose Sandy.
“It was a good opportunity for her because she hasn’t been to DC and I wanted to broaden her horizons. I know bigger and better things will come her way if she stays on this path. And I want to instill in all kids that opportunities will present themselves if they do so.”
You can imagine her reaction to getting the news, which came as a total surprise. “I thought it was a joke. Words couldn’t come out of my mouth. I was really proud of myself because I’m a student that didn’t go to high school, trying to get her GED, working … I never thought I’d get such an opportunity.”
Her parents were just as shocked. “At first they didn’t believe me. But then they were so proud because they said I earned it.”
First Lady Michelle Obama speaks about the importance of an education.
And “earning it” is exactly what Sandy got to hear Michelle Obama speak about. Sitting just one row away from the First Lady, she listened intently about the importance of an education and how it’s something you have to work hard to earn.
She came away from the experience more motivated than she’s ever been. “It was a big impact on me because of my story. It changed me a lot to be at that event. Now I want to accomplish my goals and work even harder. And I want to motivate others to do the same.”
While her visit to the White House was the highlight of a nearly weeklong trip, a stop at the Lincoln Memorial fulfilled a dream she’s had since childhood – thanks to pop culture.
“You see the Reflection Pool on so many TV shows and movies. When I was there I actually touched the stairs at the Memorial because so many people have been filming there, like Forest Gump. I would always say to my mom that I wanted to be there. And she’d said ‘one day if you work hard and earn it.’”
Back in Southern California, that’s exactly what she intends to do. After earning her GED, she plans to go to Los Angeles Community College, then on to USC or Cal State so that she can be a special education teacher.
The confidence gained through Sandy’s participation in ServiceWorks, combined with the inspiration the program gave her to help others, comes through when she talks about her future. “I want people to say ‘she went from getting a GED to making a world change.’”
And Sandy’s doing some inspiring of her own. Cruz Solis, the
member who suggested her for that life-changing trip to the nation’s capital says people like Sandy are what make his work so worthwhile.
“You work with them, meet them at a point in their life when they’re very impressionable and you can plant a seed. I can step away and feel confident she’s going to achieve what she wants to achieve.”
This Hollywood ending feels like it’s just the beginning.
ServiceWorks, managed in partnership with the Citi Foundation and the Corporation for National and Community Service, is a national program that combines service learning, volunteerism and success coaching to help Opportunity Youth (low-to-middle income, ages 16-24) develop the skills and connections they need to prepare for college and career.
6 Ways to Give Back on #GivingTuesday
#GivingTuesday is a global celebration of generosity and giving back. For many charities and nonprofits, it’s one of the biggest fundraising days of the year, a day when supporters turn out in droves to donate money to the causes they care about.
While not all of us have money to give, most of us have time. So here are a few of the many ways you can give back on #GivingTuesday, without reaching for your wallet.
Skills-based and pro bono service makes a deep and lasting contribution to the organizations you support. According to A Billion + Change, 91 percent of Fortune 500 human resources managers said volunteering knowledge and expertise to a nonprofit can be an effective way to cultivate business and leadership skills. Whether you’re an accountant, an IT expert, a visual designer or a marketer, your skills can benefit nonprofits. Find opportunities in your community through All For Good.
Getting the neighborhood to donate goods to the local food pantry or homeless shelter is a great way help those in need this holiday season – and to clean out your shelves and closets while you’re at it! You can donate food, warm clothing or blankets, hygiene supplies and more. Choose a date and location where you will accept donations, and identify the community organizations the items you collect will benefit. Then, spread the word. Get more info here, and make your donation drive a fun activity for the whole family!
The Internet has done a lot to make doing good easier than ever before. From “passive giving” through websites like Amazon and eBay to crowdfunding opportunities to digital volunteer databases, giving back is just one click away. Another way to give back is through virtual volunteering. Help feed the hungry by answering vocabulary questions, share career advice with low-income youth online or provide counseling via text to young people in crisis. Find more virtual volunteering opportunities at All for Good or UN Volunteers.
Volunteering with family and friends at a local soup kitchen or food pantry is not only a great way to help your community, but also a wonderful bonding activity – and a great way to teach your kids the importance of helping those in need! Check out All for Good to find opportunities near you.
The holiday season is the perfect time to think about the things we are grateful for, and say thank you. Send a thank-you card to your children’s teachers, to a local organization doing good things in your community, to a veterans’ group or military service member, or any person who has had a positive influence on your life this year. Spreading kindness is an easy way to brighten someone’s day.
Care packages not only bring a smile to someone’s face, but also provide some much-needed relief for those in need. Pinterest features a number of ideas for creating care packages for different recipients: Whether it’s filling resealable bags with basic supplies for the homeless, putting together healing items for cancer patients or sending fun and practical items for soldiers deployed overseas, these thoughtful gifts make a real difference in the lives of those who receive them.
For more ways to get involved on #GivingTuesday, please visit www.givingtuesday.org.
