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Are Linksters and Millennials the most self-absorbed generations in history? Possibly, but maybe teens are actually looking for volunteer opportunities, even though no one is watching.
It seems that thought leaders from all over the internet enjoy railing against today’s “self-absorbed” Gen Z that’s linked up but disconnected from the real world, consumed by selfishness and selfies, adept at texting yet unable to deal with face-to-face interaction.
Yet, the reality doesn’t seem to fit the myth. In fact, according to the Millennial Impact Report, today’s teens and young adults are involved, engaged and committed. 84 percent made a charitable donation in 2014, the year of the study, and 70% spent at least an hour volunteering for a cause that they care about. They give their time and their talents in all kinds of surprising and creative ways, and go out of their way to support the causes they’re passionate about.
Are you looking to find a way to participate? Now that school’s out, there are lots of great opportunities for teens to volunteer in the Dallas area, from fighting homelessness and poverty, to teaching art to kids, to growing the environment, and so much more. Here are five ways that you can give back to your community this season, and get valuable volunteer experience as well:
- What they do: Provide housing and services to the homeless and impoverished.
- How you can help: Participate in events, tutor, and/or donate.
- What they do: Teach art to inner-city low-income youth.
- How you can help: Work with kids.
- What they do: Transform abandoned open spaces into safe and functional places.
- How you can help: Planting, weeding, harvesting crops, picking up trash and recycling, building raised beds or fences, clearing new garden sites, and/or mowing.
- What they do: Advance research, education, and public engagement in biodiversity and environmental science.
- How you can help: Assist visitors throughout the museum’s exhibit spaces, and provide critical support for research departments and offices.
- What they do: Offer a wide range of health care services for children from birth through 21 years of age.
- How you can help: Work directly with patients or in a service department.
Still looking for a volunteer opportunity that matches your particular passion? Go to KidsThatDoGood.com and use our search engine to find more volunteer opportunities in your area.
Tags: children, Environment, grow, help, homelessness, hospital, kids, opportunity, poverty, protect, teach, volunteer, volunteer opportunity