Completing community service hours is not an uncommon high school requirement, and it always looks great on college applications. However, helping the community doesn’t have to feel like an obligation or a means to an end: there are many enjoyable, rewarding ways to lend a hand.
Helping People with Special Needs
There are many outlets out there, such as summer camps, looking for volunteers who can help give children and adults with disabilities amazing experiences. It doesn’t hurt to bring in some materials of your own, which shows initiative: if you’re working with children with blindness or visual impairment, take some braille mazes with you one day, which are both fun and help boost cognitive and problem-solving skills, or a sports ball with a bell inside. Listen carefully to your volunteer coordinator(s), as they will tell you everything you need to know about treating people with special needs kindly and respectfully.Volunteer at a Soup Kitchen
If you’re not much of a cook, don’t worry: there are many other ways you can help out at a soup kitchen, such as setting up, serving food to the people who come in to eat, and cleaning up afterward. It’s a great way to help and meet new people; thanks to you, they won’t have to skip a meal. Try looking up a soup kitchen in your area, including at one of your local houses of worship (you don’t have to be part of the congregation to take part).Create Teachable Moments
If you’re exceptionally good a certain subject, try tutoring struggling students, be they fellow classmates or children from other schools. You can also try volunteering at nearby museums as a volunteer, where you’ll likely learn a lot yourself in the process.The number of worthwhile community service options is enormous, but hopefully this list will be enough to at least get you brainstorming.
