Teens that Volunteer Change the World

There’s no doubt that today’s teenagers are extremely busy with the intense demands of homework and extra curricular activities. Often teens are busy with after school activities and are up until the wee hours of night finishing their homework for the next day and weekends are often filled with same routine.rnHowever, encouraging teens to volunteer can help them open up their view of the world and give them a sense of empowerment and accomplishment that is not necessarily connected to school or extra curricular activities.rnFocusing on teens and their volunteering is one of the most important things we can do for them as parents. And the incredible thing, once they get a taste of it, they love doing it and it becomes a part of their lifetime achievements.rnGetting your teenager involved:rnVolunteer opportunities for adolescents aren’t difficult to find. The key to getting teens involved and making it a great fit is to find an opportunity that fits their schedule (and yours), is close to home and something that they are passionate or interested in. According to the Corporation for National and Communityrn rnService, in 2005, 55 percent of American teenagers volunteered, almost twice the rate of adults. It has also been noted, that any student that participates in volunteer work actually does better in school than those who don’t volunteer.rnOne of the best places to start to find volunteer opportunities is through your local church, synagogue, mosque, or other places of worship. Other fantastic options are: through your local Parks and Recreation Department, hospitals, nature centers, Boys and Girls Club, libraries, museums, community center, soup kitchens, shelters, summer programs or camps and elderly centers. Don’t be afraid to ask around; most people jump at the chance to place a young volunteer.rnWhy Volunteer?rnWhen young people volunteer, they become empowered. They often see that there are others more needy than themselves and they learn that they can make a difference. They also perfect time management, they become well rounded and responsible young people. It also opens a new set of peer groups for them to socialize with.rnDavid Eisner with the Corporation for National and Community Service says, “Over and over, we’ve seen how service can have a powerful impact on a young person’s life,” “By starting early and unleashing the energy and idealism of young people, we can help meet pressing needs and create a generation of lifelong citizens.”rnTeenagers that grow up knowing that they can make a positive difference in the world begin to have an attitude of “I can change the world” and share this within their circles and groups. Just think what this can do for our future leaders. Making the world a better place begins by showing our teens how they can impact the future through their volunteer work.