Impact Feature Issue on Paraeducators Supporting Students with Disabilities and At-Risk
Where to Look for Volunteer Opportunities
Every community – large or small – has volunteer opportunities and needs. Below are some typical places where people volunteer, and where adults and youth with developmental disabilities may want to explore volunteer options:
- Faith communities
- Youth-serving organizations
- Special celebrations (e.g., parades, Cinco de Mayo, Kwanzaa, city festivals)
- Civic and business groups
- Sports leagues and events
- Community beautification committees
- Libraries
- Schools (K-12, pre-school)
- Refugee/immigrant centers
- Nursing homes and hospitals
- Crisis services (e.g., homeless shelters, food banks, counseling centers)
- Arts organizations
- Charitable organizations
- Block clubs
- Park and recreation programs
- Literacy programs
- Historical societies and museums
- Organizational and agency boards
- Fundraisers (e.g. for organizations, communities, and individuals)
- Community gardens
- Food coops
- Nature centers
- Community access television
- Election activities (e.g. voter registration drives, candidate campaigns)
- Disaster relief efforts
- Advocacy and education organizations (e.g., disability, environmental, human and civil rights)
- Senior centers
- Student service and leadership groups
- Animal shelters, wildlife rehabilitation centers