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Volunteering is nothing new to this generation of service-minded baby boomers. With nearly one-third of all boomers — 25.8 million people — volunteering for a formal organization in 2005, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, today’s retirees are filling their days doing work for the greater good. Looking for a way to give back? Here are a few ideas on where you might find your niche, whether it’s assisting today’s youth, helping homebound seniors or making life better for newborns..
Experience Corps
www.experiencecorps.com
202-478-6190
Mission To create powerful opportunities for older adults to meet society’s greatest needs, specifically by engaging older adults as tutors and mentors to produce outstanding literacy results for children in kindergarten through third grade.
Average age of volunteers 65 years old.
Volunteer tasks Volunteers work in public schools tutoring and mentoring, providing homework help and giving attention to those children most in need. In addition, members work with teachers, school leaders and youth workers to develop projects, such as parent involvement campaigns, health awareness activities and library book drives. Experience Corps members often assume leadership roles by acting as team leaders and champions for local public education needs.
Average commitment 10–12 hours per week.
Newborns in Need
www.newbornsinneed.org
877-231-5097
Mission Newborns in Need provides care necessities to premature, ill or impoverished newborns to give them a safe, healthy start in life.
Average age of volunteers 45 to 50 years old.
Volunteer tasks Volunteers work in their communities to make goods or organize donations of new and used articles to newborns in need. Efforts provide baby necessities to families that cannot afford them, complete layettes and memorial items for babies that have passed away, and provide premature baby support for families dealing with the stressors that can accompany an early arrival.
Average commitment Determined by volunteer.
Senior Corps
www.seniorcorps.gov
800-424-8867
Mission Senior Corps, a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service, taps the skills, talents and experience of more than 500,000 Americans age 55 and older to meet a wide range of community needs through various programs.
Average age of volunteers 55 and older.
Volunteer tasks “RSVP Volunteers” conduct safety patrols for local police departments, participate in environmental projects, provide intensive educational services to children and adults, and respond to natural disasters. “Foster Grandparents” serve one-on-one as tutors and mentors to young people with special needs. “Senior Companions” help homebound seniors and other adults maintain independence in their own homes.
Average commitment Hours range from a few hours per week to full-time.
Volunteering is nothing new to this generation of service-minded baby boomers. With nearly one-third of all boomers — 25.8 million people — volunteering for a formal organization in 2005, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, today’s retirees are filling their days doing work for the greater good. Looking for a way to give back? Here are a few ideas on where you might find your niche, whether it’s assisting today’s youth, helping homebound seniors or making life better for newborns..
Experience Corps
www.experiencecorps.com
202-478-6190
Mission To create powerful opportunities for older adults to meet society’s greatest needs, specifically by engaging older adults as tutors and mentors to produce outstanding literacy results for children in kindergarten through third grade.
Average age of volunteers 65 years old.
Volunteer tasks Volunteers work in public schools tutoring and mentoring, providing homework help and giving attention to those children most in need. In addition, members work with teachers, school leaders and youth workers to develop projects, such as parent involvement campaigns, health awareness activities and library book drives. Experience Corps members often assume leadership roles by acting as team leaders and champions for local public education needs.
Average commitment 10–12 hours per week.
Newborns in Need
www.newbornsinneed.org
877-231-5097
Mission Newborns in Need provides care necessities to premature, ill or impoverished newborns to give them a safe, healthy start in life.
Average age of volunteers 45 to 50 years old.
Volunteer tasks Volunteers work in their communities to make goods or organize donations of new and used articles to newborns in need. Efforts provide baby necessities to families that cannot afford them, complete layettes and memorial items for babies that have passed away, and provide premature baby support for families dealing with the stressors that can accompany an early arrival.
Average commitment Determined by volunteer.
Senior Corps
www.seniorcorps.gov
800-424-8867
Mission Senior Corps, a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service, taps the skills, talents and experience of more than 500,000 Americans age 55 and older to meet a wide range of community needs through various programs.
Average age of volunteers 55 and older.
Volunteer tasks “RSVP Volunteers” conduct safety patrols for local police departments, participate in environmental projects, provide intensive educational services to children and adults, and respond to natural disasters. “Foster Grandparents” serve one-on-one as tutors and mentors to young people with special needs. “Senior Companions” help homebound seniors and other adults maintain independence in their own homes.
Average commitment Hours range from a few hours per week to full-time.
