8 Tips for Volunteering at Boston Charities According to Joseph Vessecchia
Joseph Vessecchia knows all about volunteering. It’s become a big part of his life. He’s often seen hosting weekly prayer groups and volunteering at different charities. When Joseph Vessecchia isn’t volunteering, he’s working on establishing his successful software salesman career by teaching others some of the techniques and methods he used throughout his career. Boston charities are always looking for volunteers, but the problem is that most prospective volunteers don’t understand what kind of opportunities are out there. Some of the best opportunities in Boston are available through Friends of Boston’s Homeless, Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, and Crossroads Family Shelter. Here are some tips to make the most out of your volunteering experience, no matter what you choose.
1. Find Causes that Are of Importance to You
First, you should determine which issues are important to you. Once you can identify these issues, you can find a Boston charity that promotes that cause. You can start your search on Google. Most community-based organizations in Boston are entered into categories that you can serve. If your cause is more specific, then you should search for that particular charity instead.
2. Identify the Skills that You Can Offer
What are your skills and interests? Do you enjoy working with kids? Do you like to spend time with the elderly? You can easily find volunteer opportunities that fit in with your hobbies, interests, and skillset. Most Boston charities require that volunteers have experience with certain types of equipment or possess certain skills.
You may want to take on a volunteer opportunity that’s similar to the one you’ve done in the past. Or, maybe it’s similar to a hobby that you enjoy. If you can identify a skill that you can use or would like to learn, this is an ideal way to find a volunteer opportunity.
3. Combine Your Career with Volunteering
Now it’s time to search for volunteering opportunities that can help you with your career or life goals. If you want to start your own charity in Boston, then build on your experience by serving for a particular charity. By working in this environment, you’ll understand how charities work. If one of your goals is to lose weight, then you should look for a volunteer opportunity that keeps you active. This will allow you to lose weight while serving others.
4. Balance Your Schedule
You want to make sure that the hours committed won’t impede on your current life. Most people are juggling families, jobs, school, and personal lives. You should determine how much time you can commit to an organization. That way, you’re not over-committing yourself when you cannot handle the time commitment. If you’re unsure how much free time you can provide, then ask the charity to start you on a part-time or on-call schedule. It’s better to start your experience small than to commit yourself to a schedule that you cannot take on.
5. Consider Becoming a Virtual Volunteer
If you have limited time and no transportation, then consider becoming a virtual volunteer. This requires computer skills and a reliable internet connection. Most charities now offer the opportunity to volunteer over your computer. This may involve building a website, writing an e-mail newsletter, or responding to youth over live chat. If you love computers, then this is the perfect opportunity to offer your time and make use of your computer skills.
6. Get Creative with Your Efforts
There are many Boston charities who are searching for volunteers, most of which fly under the radar. Most people are familiar with volunteering opportunities to adopt-a-family programs and soup kitchens, but there are plenty of volunteering opportunities that you may have come across. Some of these opportunities include assisting high school students with their college applications, joining an advocacy group, or tutoring and mentoring. These opportunities can range from marketing and fundraising to conducting research and conducting door-to-door outreach.
7. Listen to Your Heart
Always listen to your heart when choosing the right volunteering opportunity. Your gifts will be more appreciated by the right Boston charities. Whatever you choose to give to others will be given back to you. That feeling and sense of pride when you help others is unlike anything else you’ll ever feel in your life. This is the reason why millions of people volunteer.
8. Consider Volunteering as a Group
There are several more volunteer opportunities for groups. This is the perfect opportunity for you and your family to do something together. When you work together for a charity, you’ll feel closer to each other. You’ll teach your children about the value of giving their time and effort. It’ll introduce your group members to new experiences and skills they never came across.
