Volunteer

Volunteer Opportunities

volunteershirtVolunteers that become coaches, mentors, tutors, teacher’s aids, and youth group advisers really make a difference in the lives of our youth. Volunteering not only helps the youth in your community, but it also helps develop great friendships, caring citizens, and strong leaders.

You, your family, neighbors, and faith-based organizations are all encouraged to become volunteers that help Arlington become a great place to raise a family.

Learning How to Become a Community Volunteer

The Value of Volunteering—Top Reasons to Volunteer

There are as many reasons to serve as there are people who serve. Volunteering is not just an altruistic act. It’s an opportunity to advance in all areas of your life. Here are a few of the things you can gain when you give your time and yourself:

  • Connect with your community.
  • Conserve funds for charities, nonprofits and faith-based and other community organizations by contributing your time.
  • Share your skills and gain new ones.
  • Develop self-esteem and self-confidence.
  • Meet new people from all walks of life.
  • Enhance your resume and make important networking contacts.
  • Promote a worthwhile activity.
  • Feel better about yourself.
  • Experience something new.
  • Serve your country.
  • Make a difference.
  • Help others.

Tips for Youth Who Want to Volunteer

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  1. Take the lead! Is there an issue in your community that you would like to see addressed? If you’re not sure where to begin, ask a parent, teacher, or community leader to help you to get started. And then see how you can make a difference.
  2. Get your friends involved and meet new people too! Volunteering with old and new friends can be lots of fun, and it’s also a great way to boost your confidence.
  3. Find your inner hero. Have you dreamt of being a doctor or a fire fighter? You can check out opportunities at local hospitals and fire departments to get a glimpse of what community heroes are doing, and to make a difference as part of their team.
  4. Ask your school about group opportunities. Sometimes classes will get a chance to serve together, or there might be clubs at school that you could join and serve with. This can be a great way to get to know your classmates better, and can be a great way to make new friends at your school.
  5. If you play a sport, or take dance classes, or are involved in any other kinds of activities, talk to your coach or instructor and see if your team or class might be able to do something together. What a fun way to hang out with your friends outside of practice!
  6. Talk with your parents, friends, teachers, and other adults about your volunteer activities. Not only will you be encouraging them to serve, you will have the chance to reflect upon how your activities change you and your community.
  7. Volunteer with your family. Get your family involved in one of the National Days of Service, such as Make a Difference Day and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and spend a day painting murals or cleaning your neighborhood park. Check out www.mlkday.gov for more information.

Locating a Good Project

Now that you are ready to volunteer for a meaningful community project, how do you find a good project? There are two ways to locate projects for you, your family, or organizations:

  1. The Volunteer Center of North Texas maintains a convenient website that will help you find a satisfying project. You can learn more about this opportunity byclicking here.
  2. Another way of finding volunteer opportunities is by visiting any of the sites below:
    1. AISD Community Program
    2. Arlington Parks and Recreation
    3. Big Brothers Big Sisters
    4. Boy Scouts
    5. Boys & Girls Clubs Arlington
    6. City Sports Leagues
    7. City’s Municipal Volunteer Program
    8. Family Pathfinders
    9. Girls Inc. Tarrant County
    10. Girl Scouts
    11. H.O.P.E. Tutoring Center
    12. Legacy Park Life Science Center
    13. YMCA of Arlington
    14. Texas Special Olympics
  3. Civic Club Opportunities: Citizens are encouraged to join a civic club and become involved in a variety of satisfying program. This is an uniquely American experience that puts you in touch with others who also want to help support our youth and community. Together our civic clubs make a terrific contribution to our community. You can find more about our civic clubs at these websites:
    1. Kiwanis Clubs(5)
    2. Optimist Club
    3. Rotary Clubs (7)
      Special Civic Club Contacts: Please contact one of the following individuals if you would like more information about the listed civic organizations.

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