A Need for Change
"I want to make the world a better place for my children." That is the shared dream of millions of parents around the world. As a goal, it is overwhelming. One mother can't be expected to negotiate world peace, end the AIDS epidemic and find shelter for the homeless while bringing home a paycheck and keeping up with the laundry. There are just too many changes that need to be made, and the more a parent agonizes over the situation, the more oppressive it becomes.
So, where is the balance between concern for the future and the inability to solve all of the world's problems? How does a parent transform the world for his children? The answer is to teach them how to do it for themselves. Involving children in volunteerism has many benefits, not the least of which is learning that they do not have to settle for the status quo.
The Benefits
Here are a few of the rewards for children, parents and, ultimately, our society:
1. Responsibility: Working to correct injustices or ease the suffering of others instills a sense of empathy in children that will remain with them as they mature. A child who cares about people, animals or the environment grows into an adult who cares. That adult also knows first-hand that change is possible.
2. Self Image: Helping others naturally makes a person feel good about himself. Volunteers know that they are truly making a difference in the world--that they are important. Parents who volunteer can also be proud to know that they are great role models for their children (and their adult friends).
3. Family: Volunteering as a family opens the lines of communication. It offers a chance to discuss important issues and creates shared interests and experiences. Spending family time together is vitally important to child development, and spending this time doing something meaningful will enhance the experience for both the children and their parents. (Check out http://www.scholastic.com/smartparenting/ for more information on quality family time.)
4. Performance: Several studies indicate that children who volunteer are less likely to be involved in "at-risk" behaviors such as drinking, using drugs and skipping school. One Florida study showed that 74% of 29,000 students involved in volunteerism had improved grade point averages. (To view more of their findings, see http://www.dropoutprevention.org/effstrat/flori.htm.) In addition, older children can keep track of their volunteer work for a great boost to their resumes or college applications.
Making it Happen
A common misconception about volunteering is that it has to be a huge time commitment. A daily or weekly position is certainly possible; most organizations would be thrilled to have volunteers with that kind of enthusiasm. However, if you don't have the time or energy to devote to such a rigid schedule, there are plenty of alternatives. For example, most nonprofit organizations must hold fundraisers to bring in enough money to offer their services. There are auctions, bake sales, dinners and a host of other events that rely on volunteer support. These are usually a one-day or one-weekend commitment.
It is important to let the organization know if children will be volunteering. Some regulations require that a person be a certain age to participate in specific activities. In addition, the child's abilities need to be considered: a ten-year old might be capable of stuffing envelopes while his three-year old sister would probably just be in the way.
That's not to say that toddlers and young children can not volunteer. They can, and they should. Parents just need to find suitable activities. For example, the little ones would be thrilled to help make cookies for a bake sale or visit elderly people in nursing homes--the family pet can even be involved in the latter.
Finally, if there are no opportunities that fit just right, the family can design their own. Everyone could take bags to the park and pick up litter or collect clothes from neighbors to donate to a homeless shelter. Volunteer work does not have to be through a nonprofit organization to be "legitimate." Cleaning up an elderly neighbor's yard is volunteering, and the whole family can participate. The most important aspect is that the parents and children are working together to make the world a better place.
For more ideas on volunteering projects for kids, check your local library for books like 160 Ways to Help the World by Linda Lee Duper and The Kid's Guide to Social Action by Barbara A. Lewis.