The Ultimate Guide to Volunteering for Teens

Honestly, if you’re not seeing all of the incredible work being done by teenagers globally, you aren’t paying attention. And when you read about young changemakers impacting issues like racial justice, the environment, LGBTQ+ rights, and Indigenous rights, remember that you are just as capable of doing the same.

Don’t know where to start? We’ve broken it down for you with this guide to volunteering for teens, giving you the why, what, and how about giving back to your community.

Why Volunteer

Do Good

If there’s one thing you take from this guide, let it be this: you (yes, you!) have the power to make real change in your community. If that doesn’t simultaneously freak you out a little and get you super pumped, we don’t know what will.

Get Better

When you volunteer, your community is better for it, and so are you -- it’s really a win-win scenario. You can build your skills, gain work experience, explore your passions, maybe get a little self-esteem boost, and even earn scholarships.

What to Consider Before Volunteering

Commitment

Be real with yourself (this applies for both volunteering and setting your morning alarm). Your passion for a cause will only get you so far if you don’t have the time or energy to put towards it. Figure out a volunteer arrangement that lets you bring your all every time. If you’re worried about having the time to show up somewhere regularly, consider volunteering online!

Safety

We’re going to take a cue from those elementary school videos about stranger danger here. Keep yourself safe by vetting the places you volunteer for, and, if need be, volunteering with a group of friends or an adult first.

Right Fit

The cool thing about volunteering is that you get to decide what things to offer your time to. Consider this a chance to explore the things you’re interested in, and not an obligation to take on tasks that don’t feel right for you.

How to Start Volunteering

Know Yourself

Break out the pen and paper because we’re making a list! (Or just open a note on your phone, that’s fine too…) List out your strengths and your passions, figure out where they intersect, and look for places where you can do it. Like, if you’re pretty good at graphic design and are lowkey obsessed with your pets, see if you can volunteer to do social media work for a local shelter.

Do Some Research

We hardly need to tell you that the internet is a solid place to start. Try jumping off from these volunteer opportunities for teens! When googling doesn’t quite do it, you can always look to your community. Check out local libraries, community centers, and schools for bulletin board postings, or ask friends, neighbors, and teachers about volunteering opportunities.

Reach Out

Sometimes organizations will be actively looking for volunteers, but other times it’s not so clear-cut. Don’t be afraid to reach out over a phone call or email to ask about volunteering. Be prepared to let them know what you’re interested in doing, what skills you have, and how much time you can commit to them (sound familiar?). It may seem a little intimidating, but trust us -- a passionate young person going out of their way to offer help is a downright GIFT for a lot of organizations.

Explore These Resources

Need a little more direction? Take a look at these organizations with volunteer opportunities for teens, and find a chapter near you. Or, if you’d rather do some virtual volunteering, you can try these places to volunteer online. And, of course, you can always find actionable ways to volunteer through the campaigns at DoSomething,org.