Teen volunteering: how to get them involved

According to a review published in 2014 by the Institute for Volunteering Research, teen volunteers demonstrate higher levels of well-being, personal development and social connectedness than their non-volunteer peers.

This evidence suggests that getting your own teen involved in volunteering will provide them not only a chance to fill out their resumes, but also the opportunity to become happier, more well-rounded individuals.

Why teens should volunteer
Volunteering can promote various aptitudes in teens such as leadership and communication skills, which will serve them well in their educational pursuits and on the job market. However, there are also psychological benefits that volunteer work affords them. Research reported on in the 2014 review indicates that teens that do volunteer work have higher self-esteem and resilience than those that don’t.

How to encourage teens to volunteer
One of the best ways to get teens to volunteer is to lead by example. This can mean volunteering yourself when you get the chance, or doing volunteer activities as a family, which has the added advantage of promoting bonding and mutual respect between the family members involved.

Where teens should volunteer
It’s most motivating for young people when they can select volunteer opportunities that align with their passions, interests and ambitions. There are a large number of potential places where teens can volunteer, including:

* Seniors’ residences
* Animal shelters
* Libraries
* Food banks
* Community centers

It’s worth pointing out that not all volunteering opportunities require a long-term, ongoing commitment. Charity fundraisers like run-for-the-cause events and community occasions like the town’s Easter parade often require volunteers for only one or two days.

Volunteer experience invariably strengthens a young person’s resume; however, the real value of volunteering is emphatically the positive impact it has on others as well as on the volunteer.