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Volunteering can be a powerful and fulfilling experience, especially when combined with the thrill of traveling in a new place. The sheer size of the US guarantees that no matter where you are and what you’re interested in, there will be a way for you to get involved. In urban areas, mentoring and literacy programs and organizations that work to combat hunger and homelessness offer an abundance of volunteer opportunities. Environmental conservation has become a popular activity for visitors to the many national and state parks. Search engines like www.volunteermatch.org are a useful resource for finding local opportunities.
Most people who volunteer in the US do so on a short-term basis, at organizations that make use of drop-in or once-a-week volunteers. The best way to find opportunities that match your interests and schedule may be to check with local or national volunteer centers like the ones listed below. Social outreach work is generally the most common short-term volunteer activity—it can take as little as an afternoon to make a difference in a community.
Those looking for longer, more intensive volunteer opportunities usually go through a parent organization that takes care of logistical details and often provides a group environment and support system—for a fee. There are two main types of organizations—religious and non-sectarian—although there are rarely restrictions on participation for either.
Urban communities in the US face distinct and varied crises, such as hunger, homelessness, and lack of affordable health care. There are numerous opportunities to get involved in these communities and ...more
America’s rural communities, once the backbone of an agricultural economy, now struggle against urban sprawl, land-use debates, and adapting to a changing socioeconomic landscape. Foundation for ...more
Educational and mentoring programs throughout the US also offer instruction and support to youth in need. These programs are most appropriate for volunteers who are willing to make a long-term commitment ...more
You don’t need an M.D. to give back through medical outreach programs in the US. Volunteers are needed to staff offices, participate in emergency relief, and connect with those in need. American ...more
A quarter of American adults are not proficient in reading. Many experience difficulties because they did not finish high school, while others are immigrants or persons suffering from learning or vision ...more
Ecotourism organizations have blossomed in the US, offering (sometimes) costly activities and tours developed to minimize environmental impact. More innovative programs arrange outings engineered to ...more
The creatively inclined can pursue numerous forms of artistic expression in the US—the bohemian quarters of New York City and San Francisco, as well as the wide-open spaces of the American interior ...more
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