Volunteer work has many positive effects on kids:

1. It builds character and self-esteem. It provides children/teens an opportunity to be appreciated or recognized for their work. They can feel satisfaction and pride in a job well done.
2. Most colleges or scholarship programs look at extracurricular activities and community service.
3. By helping a local or regional organization, volunteers help create better communities. By participating in these activities, your child will learn about their role and responsibility in the community.
4. It can strengthen your family. Volunteering, specially if done on a regular basis, can support family values.  Even, if you and your child pick one or two projects/organizations to volunteer with a year and make it a tradition, you create bonds that will last a long time.
5. Volunteering gives your child a perspective of life they wouldn’t otherwise have by working along side or opposite people of different backgrounds.
6. They learn responsibility. By volunteering, kids and teens learn what it means to make and keep a commitment.
7. They learn that a single person can have an impact.
8. They learn to be part of something greater than themselves.
9. They learn job skills and learn to work as a team. They may even take on leadership roles and set project goals.
10. Volunteering can become an alternative to idle time.
11. Volunteering allows kids to explore. They can become involved in organizations or activities on a limited basis to explore their interests.

How can parents promote volunteerism in their children?  Here are just a few ideas.

1. Parents can model volunteerism by volunteering themselves.  They can take their child with them to help.
2. Parents can donate to organizations and talk to their children about those organizations and why they donate to them.
3. Parents can encourage and model the sense of “giving”. They can open doors for people, and lend a hand whenever they see someone in need.

What are some volunteer activities that families can do together?

• picking up garbage at the local park
• serving food at a soup kitchen
• painting walls at a community center or facility
• helping at a local animal shelter
• planting plants at a local park or conservancy

Do you have experiences you want to share with K12Genie? Contact Us.

From the Editor:

There are many ways to give back to our communities. Some people volunteer their time, donating a few hours of their day to organizations that serve the homeless or by tutoring kids in their neighborhoods.  Some people, donate their talents.  They sing, or do comedy for worthy causes. Some people donate their treasure, their money.  What organization could function without funds?

This month, November, K12Genie is dedicating much of our content to the theme of  “Giving”.

I myself volunteer at a local homeless shelter once a month. At 7:30 PM on the first Friday of every month, a friend and I meet at the St. Francis Xavier basement on West 15th Street in Manhattan.  We prepare a table of food for a group of homeless men that will arrive by 8:30 PM from one of the intake organizations in the New York area. When the bus arrives, we check the roster to make sure all the men, most of whom are regulars, are accounted for. They get their rollout beds and sheets from the storage room, take what food they want from the table, and prepare for bed.  By 10 PM, they are all asleep; wake up is at 5:30 AM the following morning.  My friend and I sleep in the shelter, in rollout beds just like theirs.  Through this work, we not only help provide these men a safe and dry place to stay the night, we get the opportunity to see the world through a different lense. There are numerous shelters and programs like this in New York City and around the country.  They couldn’t operate without volunteers, without people that are willing to lend a hand in whatever way they can.

You probably volunteer in some capacity yourself or know someone that does.

You might be wondering why K12Genie, an organization focused on relationships between kids and parents, would focus on volunteerism or giving?  Through the articles and content this month, hopefully you’ll see why. For those of you that already have an answer, we’ll help you improve the relationships you already have with your kids or parents and deepen your understanding of yourself and them.

Sincerely,

Fernando DeGuia, Founder and Editor

You’ll find all articles or content related to this month’s theme under Monthly Themes

The American Red Cross was founded in 1881 by Clara Barton. It offers neutral humanitarian care to victims of war and devastating natural disasters.

Did you know?

• that every 2 seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood?
• that 1 out of 10 people admitted in a hospital needs blood?
• that blood cannot be manufactured, but only comes from donors?
• that the main blood types are A, B, AB, and O and that each of these types is either positive (+) or negative (-)?
• the blood type most requested by hospitals is Type O?
• that the American Red Cross provides nearly 45% of the nation’s blood supply?
• that the American Red Cross also provides training?

What can you do to get involved?

• Donate funds
• Volunteer to help victims or teach courses such as first aid.
  • Take an ONLINE orientation course with the Red Cross to help you become familiar with their mission.
• Give blood.
  • Read stories from people who have received blood.
  • To give blood, you need to be 17 years old or older, be in good health, and weight at least 110 lbs.

Elementary and Middle School Heroes

While too young to donate blood themselves, students at an Ohio middle school recruited donors–parents, family members, faculty, friends, neighbors–for a blood drive. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE for more information on organizing your own blood drive.

• Get Trained
  • You can take courses with the Red Cross. They offer courses in CPR, First Aid, Babysitting, HIV AIDS education, lifeguarding, and water safety. For more information on their courses, click here.
• Write a letter to military personnel as part of the Holiday Mail for Heroes campaign.

For more information about getting involved with the Red Cross, click here.

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry seeking to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. The organization was founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller and his wife Linda. Today, the organization has built over 300,000 houses around the world. There are a variety of ways in which you can get involved.

• Habitat for Humanity website
• Donate to Habitat
• View Opportunities to Volunteer or get involved with Habitat in your area

Did you know that Habitat for Humanity has programs for kids as young as 5 years old?  They do. They have youth programs and programs for parents, teachers, and youth leaders.  Find out more here.

Did you like the music on the video? Buy them on itunes:

Switchfoot “This is Home” 

If you have ever volunteered with Habitat, share your story. Contact us and tell us your story.