9 Ways to Volunteer From Home
This year has changed our routine for the majority of us, and we’ve had to find new ways to enjoy the things we did pre-pandemic, volunteering included. With COVID-19 restrictions in place, volunteering isn’t as easy as it once was, and organizations are struggling to fill the void. Thankfully, you can help make a real difference by donating your time, skills, and more to those most in need. For International Volunteer Day on December 5, we’ve rounded up nine ways you can volunteer from home and help everyone from nonprofits to senior citizens to LGBTQ+ youth and more.
Become a Pen Pal with a Senior
Seniors living in assisted living communities have become more isolated than ever in the pandemic. They now have strict visitor requirements which, for many, prevent them from having any visitors at all. They’ve also had their program of social activities cut to prevent the spread of COVID. Nursing homes and retirement communities around the world saw a need at the start of the pandemic for creating Pen Pal programs for their residents and many who advertised a need have been inundated with letters. Village Concepts, with locations throughout Washington State in the U.S., is still welcoming letters to anyone who would like to participate. Simply choose a location from their website, write your letter addressing it to ℅ Pen Pal Program, and the staff will give the letter to a participating senior to write back.
Help Nonprofits with Skilled Work
Catchafire facilitates the connection between professionals looking to donate their time and skills to nonprofits in need of outside assistance but lacking in budget. Use your talent for good and search projects that require skills across the board, from marketing and PR to video editing and graphic design.
Find a Remote Volunteering Opportunity
VolunteerMatch allows you to search for virtual volunteer opportunities from nonprofits in your area and beyond. You’ll find hundreds of ways to volunteer, including knitting blankets for hospice patients, adopting a military family for the holiday season, providing graphic design services for community groups, and more.
Donate Toys Online to Children in Need
Toys For Tots Box
Toys For Tots, the well-known organization that donates toys to children in need, has updated their format to include online donations to respect social distancing. Simply head to their website, select the age group you’re looking to donate to, choose a toy to donate, and they’ll take care of the delivery for you.
Donate Your Skills to the UN
Volunteer for UN entities, government or public institutions, and civil society organizations by donating your talent and contributing to peace and development worldwide. Opportunities require skills such as project development and management, outreach and advocacy, and strategy.
Translate TED Talks
Help the inspiring library of TED Talks cross borders and reach new audiences by joining a global team of volunteers who assist with translating content and adding subtitles. To date, TED Talks have been translated into over 115 languages.
Become a Crisis Counselor to LGBTQ+ Youth
Support young LGBTQ+ people by training to become a crisis counselor with The Trevor Project. You’ll need to participate in a 40-hour online training, commit to at least a year, and take on one three-hour shift weekly, so this is a wonderful opportunity for those looking for a steady volunteering commitment.
Become a Virtual Reading Tutor to Students
Help students in under-resourced schools improve their literacy skills by providing them with individualized reading support as a virtual reading tutor. The time commitment is just a little over an hour a week and you must pass a background check and reside in the general area of the Reading Partners region in order to participate.
Assist Professional Researchers
If you have a special connection to nature and affinity for animals, Zooniverse is a platform that provides projects from professional researchers in need of assistance. You don’t need any specialized training or skills to participate and can help by doing things like transcribing notecards from a nature reserve, examining underwater photos of beluga whales to help identify them, or reviewing images of outer space.
Need some me-time after volunteering? Check out our Self-Care for Activists playlist that has yoga and meditation classes to help you recharge. Try it free with a 14-day trial to Alo Moves.