OT - Places/activities for kids to volunteer?

[NotUrsula]

We've recently been made aware that there is an expectation that my middle schooler needs to amass some volunteer hours before he completes 8th grade. We've been casting around for something that he could do, and we keep running into a roadblock re:his age. I'm having trouble finding workable sitations that will accept a boy aged 12-13.

This situation is complicated by the fact that DS has Asperger's, so working directly with people is pretty much out. He's very uncomfortable around strangers -- and makes other people uncomfortable -- so he really needs something that he can do that involves "things" instead.

So far, I've found only one opportunity, boxing canned goods for the local food pantry distribution center. Unfortunately, they can't give him enough hours to complete his obligation.

Can anyone recommend volunteer organizations that will accept help from kids? One of his parents will come with him, he wouldn't be alone.

 

[daisyduck123]

How about raking leaves for a local church, neighbor, just about anywhere?

He's welcome to come rake mine & I'll sign off on his paperwork.

 

[pipersmom]

I don't know if he likes animals or not, but most local animal shelters will take "family" volunteers, and are usually in need of help. Another place to check would be your local library

 

[NotUrsula]

I don't know if he likes animals or not, but most local animal shelters will take "family" volunteers, and are usually in need of help. Another place to check would be your local library

I'm a llibrarian, so I've tried that route. (Volunteering at the public library itself is also out; like most places, the liability insurance requires a minimum age of 16.) I'd use him in my own library, but we have the same rule.

Animals might have been good, and I've contacted 3 different local shelters. Again, same situation at all of them: no work at the shelter itself unless you are at least 16. They suggested that DS hold a towel drive or something of the sort at his school, but organizing projects like that is beyond him at this point; he irritates other kids too much.

 

[powellrj]

My kids have always had to get volunteer hours at the same age. We have always made the hours through church and local civic functions.

I know DD has hours from helping sort clothes at a distribution center, painting and rehabbing a church, yard work and child care.

DS made lots of his hours doing work for things like dinners, painting and yard work.

If you belong to any of those places, I would ask about getting hours from there.

 

[My5Mouseketeers]

I work for our local county park system. I know we will take "family volunteers" to do trail maintenance. I don't know where you live, but we live on the Jersey Shore and the end of October there are lots of "beach sweeps" to clean up the beaches now that the tourists are gone. Maybe your parks do something similar. Also, Earth Day (4/22?) may be another day that your DS could get some opportunities to do some volunteer work.

Can you ask the other parents what there kids are doing for hours? Also, if your DS has Asperger's does he have a 504 or IEP? maybe you can get a modification to the amount of hours needed.

Good luck

sandy

 

[NotUrsula]

I work for our local county park system. I know we will take "family volunteers" to do trail maintenance. I don't know where you live, but we live on the Jersey Shore and the end of October there are lots of "beach sweeps" to clean up the beaches now that the tourists are gone.

Oh, I *wish* we were in a location where we could clean beaches.
Sadly, we're smack in the middle of the midwest. I'll call the Parks Dept., though, Thanks.

 

[PlutoPony]

Sadly, we're smack in the middle of the midwest. I'll call the Parks Dept., though, Thanks.

Along those lines, do you have an REI near you by chance? Many of the stores have days when they go out and do trail maintenance.

You might try the Red Cross. Many chapters have Youth Corps that would fulfill community service requirements. Most of those opportunities do involve working with community members but I can think of a few things around here that might fit your needs.

We have "adopt a stream" and "adopt a highway" opportunities here. Don't know the requirements to get assigned something like that but maybe that would work for your family?

 

[zarvgirl]

I know that our church helps many students gather their volunteer hours.
Folding bullentins, helping with activities being held, dishes., making phone calls. Often the schools also have opportunities for children to volunteer, clean-up days.

Good luck.

 

[TxRabbit]

The one that builds playgrounds.

http://kaboom.org

He would likely be religated to spreading the mulch around, as he would be under 18, but it's a fun deal to be a part of, if there is one in your area. I did it with my DH and DS (then 7). It was a lot of work, but it was fun. And very satisfying. At the end of the build day, you have helped to build a playground. It's very cool to see.

I also saw that they have a way to do independent community service hours, if that would also apply. If you visit a local play area, take three pictures, upload the pictures to their website and write a review, then that qualifies for one community service hour. You get one hour for each playground/play area that you review.

HTH!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

How about doing some kind of paperwork for a fund raising drive like stuffing envelopes? You could contact some of the larger non-profits and ask if they have that kind of work available. I did a college internship at the American Cancer Society and there was always a room full of volunteers stuffing envelopes, press kits, etc. Perhaps they could let you take the materials home so your son can do it there or have him work with you in a separate room if he's uncomfortable around groups of people.

I think a towel/blanket drive for animals shelters is a good idea. Perhaps he could compose an e-mail for family members and friends and let them know he's collecting them. Then you could help him pick them up or have a donation box on your front porch so people could drop them off.

I can certainly empathize with trying to find appropriate activities for an Asperger's guy. My 8th grade son has Asperger's but, luckily, his specialized school doesn't have volunteer requirements. I agree with another poster that perhaps you could look into getting the volunteer requirements modified through his IEP. Completing volunteer work is a monumental task for these kids. Perhaps he could complete half of the required hours and have it meet his requirement. Good luck!

 

[Aunt Flancy]

If you think he might be interested in the pet adoption idea, try a small rescue group instead of one of the big ones. They are usually more flexible.

 

[minniebeth]

We have the same requirements, and I understand the obstacles you are running into!
I definately think a church in your community may have opportunities. Our church bakes cookies for a prison ministry. All we do is bake (lots) of cookies, wrap them and donate them, they do the rest. We use the planning, shopping and preparation of the cookies as time spent.

Another great place is the Ronald McDonald house in your area if you have one. They provide awesome services for families in need of housing while a family member is being treated in a nearby hospital. The Ronald Mc Donald houses are always looking for donations of items, perhaps you can organize a drive to collect. Also, they have volunteers bake items and make dinners for the residents as well.

We can use service hours to perform chores and things for neighbors, etc. too as long as it is not for family. Perhaps like others suggested, help someone rake or do a fall cleanup, clean out a basement, etc.

Good luck! I know it isn't easy but the life long benefit of the volunteer spirit it helps to create is so amazing!

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

Maybe he could do some thing like this.
http://www.cotni.org/pages/246-smilepacks

He could send letters out for donations and pick them up.

 

[MariDisney]

I am in charge of a Christmas dinner at our church. We provide a traditional holiday meal for those in need or who would be alone on Christmas day. We accept help from anyone of any age. Of course, don't let younger children do the cooking. But, they do help with set up, serving beverages, etc. If you're local to us (Bucks County, PA) we'd love to have help. If not, maybe a local church does something similar.

 

[DisneyNutMic]

Operation Christmas Child. I know we have a huge distribution center close to where we live and they don't take volunteers under the age of 13 but the collection sites do. Those should be kicking up sometime soon.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Contact the PTA in the elementary school. They will let the kids help with various events to earn their Community Service hours.

 

[ntink]

I did not read the entire thread and apologize if this was already mentioned. How about an animal rescue? I know animal shelters are a no unless you are 16 but my 5th grade girl scout troop volunteered at an animal rescue over the summer and the only requirement was 1 adult to 4 girls.