Volunteering/community involvement

[saucywench]

I need to make some major changes in my life. I feel that one way to facilitate some of this is to give of myself to those who are in need of whatever I have of value to offer. For years I have considered volunteering but have never acted on it. I am now ready to get serious and plan to spend the next few weeks researching opportunities in my area to find the right niche for me.

Here are a few opportunities I'm mulling over:

• Arkansas Literacy Council
  Mission: to "Empower Arkansas Through Literacy."
  [FONT=helvetica,arial,sans-serif]Arkansas Literacy Councils, Inc., (ALC) was founded...to support local, nonprofit literacy councils that recruit and train volunteers to help adults improve their basic reading and writing skills. [/FONT]
• Big Brothers Big Sisters - most of you should be familiar with this organization
• Youth Home, Inc.
  Mission: to help emotionally troubled adolescents and families become healthier contributing members of the community.
• Kaleidoscope Kids
  Mission: Providing hospice services and bereavement programs to grieving children and teens.
• CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate)
  Description: Advocate for children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. Advocating for what is in the best interest of the child(ren) in these cases.
• Women & Children First - The Center Against Family Violence
  Mission: to empower women and their children to live independently, free from domestic violence by providing crisis intervention, safe shelter, social and legal advocacy and support services.

Several years ago I completed a six- or eight-week training program (two nights per week) to become a therapeutic foster parent "for emotionally and behaviorally disturbed children and youth between the ages of 3 to 17. Children are placed with specially-trained families who can provide intensive support and supervision for children in a home/community based setting." However, for reasons unrelated to myself, I learned (only after the training, d'oh) that there was a factor that disqualified me from doing so. On reflection, I'm not sure I have/had what it takes to do this sort of thing (but I have tremendous respect for those who can, as it is a very arduous undertaking.)

Also, a few years back, I completed the form for the literacy training and sent it in, but never followed up on it. From time to time they still send me an announcement of upcoming training dates.

Anyway, I am really interested to hear from those of you who do volunteer--what programs or organizations you're involved with, how you help, and what you get out of it. Although I realize that only I can know what would be the best fit for me, I'd also appreciate any advice or suggestions you could lend regarding the choice(s) I might make.

 

[Observer]

 

[Tina]

 

[Green Eyed Fairy]

 

[saucywench]

 

[missaf]

 

[moonvine]

 

[Tina]

 

[saucywench]

 

[BBW Betty]

 

[kathynoon]