Community Service Resources
The Freechild Project
Divided into sections that show youth different roles they can fill ("Youth as Librarians," "Youth as Media-makers," and so on), the Freechild Project links to a variety of other organizations and resources.
20 Ways for Teenagers to Help
This site has 20 suggestions for teens to get involved with community service. If you are trying to brainstorm some ways to help, this is an excellent site for you.
United Way
If you want to volunteer, United Way can refer you to opportunities at hundreds of nonprofit agencies in your state. They'll help you find the right match based on your interests, skills and availability.
Youth Build
Youth Build helps, with the time and the energy of young people, to rebuild neighborhoods and find housing and employment for those in need. This group is nationwide.
About.com: Volunteer Opportunities and Information for Volunteers
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Learn about the pet adoption process and how to care for your pet. You can also learn what this organization does to help out animals. Search the National Shelter Directory for volunteer opportunities near you.
AmeriCorps
Volunteer with VISTA, NCCC, or one of nearly 1,000 national or local programs. Programs address community needs in education, public safety, human services and the environment.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
A national youth-serving organization based on one-to-one mentoring between an adult volunteer and an at-risk child. Consists of more than 500 agencies in all 50 states.
City Year
"Young Enough To Want To Change The World, Old Enough To Do It" - A year-long community-based volunteer program with 13 sites nationwide. Corps members are between the ages of 17-24.
Corporation for National Service
Links to AmeriCorps and other national service opportunities
Do Something
A national non-profit organization that belives young people have the power to change the world. Sponsors the annual BRICK Award for Community Leadership. Join Do Something today!
Feeding America
The largest domestic hunger-relief organization with a national network of over 200 food banks and food-rescue programs.
Give Five
The Give Five Campaign works to raise public awareness about the important role that giving and volunteering play in our communities. Read their tips on giving and volunteering wisely, and get general information on volunteerism.
Habitat for Humanity
Brings volunteers and communities together to build affordable housing. Get involved through the Campus Chapters & Youth Program or the Collegiate Challenge, a weeklong service program for high school and college students.
Helping.org
An easy-to-use, one-stop online resource designed to help people find volunteer and giving opportunities in their own communities and beyond.
Idealist
Find 20,000 nonprofit and community organizations in 140 countries, which you can search by name, location or mission. Includes job and internship listings, as well as volunteer opportunities in the US and abroad.
Junior Achievement
Teaches youth essential lessons about building careers and valuing free enterprise system. Students can participate as members of this national program or get involved as volunteers.
Make A Difference Day
Look around your community. Are people hungry, homeless, ill or illiterate? Are parks or schools dirty or neglected? No matter where you live, there's a nearby need. Each year, millions of Americans roll up their sleeves to help others.
March of Dimes: WalkAmerica
The March of Dimes' biggest fund-raiser, WalkAmerica, supports lifesaving research and community programs that save babies from birth defects, low birthweight and infant death. Annual walk takes place in 1,400 communities in all 50 states.
National Exchange Club
Working together to make our communities better places to live through programs of service in Americanism, Community Service, Youth Activities, and the Prevention of Child Abuse.
National Youth Leadership Council
The National Youth Leadership Council's mission is to build vital, just communities with young people through service-learning.
Oxfam
An international organization dedicated to creating lasting solutions to hunger, poverty and social injustice. Search their site to find out about volunteering opportunities near you.
Points of Light Foundation
Service is a powerful tool for connecting young people to their communities, and a win-win opportunity for young people, agencies and communities.
The MS Walk
Sponsored by The National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The annual MS Walk is offered in 700 cities across the nation, and is for both walkers and volunteers.
The National Mentoring Partnership
A national organization working to expand mentoring opportunities for young people. The "Find a Mentor" section outlines the importance of mentoring, and how and where you can find a mentor.
Resource Generation
Resource Generation organizes young people with wealth to leverage for social change using the resources available to them.
YMCA of America
The largest not-for-profit community service organizations in America, working to meet the health and social service needs of men, women and children. On their site, search for a Y near you where you can volunteer.
Youth Service America
YSA is a resource center and the premier alliance of 200+ organizations committed to increasing the quantity and quality of opportunities for young Americans to serve locally, nationally, or globally.
Youth Venture
By earning community respect, teens can transform themselves and society.
Youth Volunteer Corps of America
Projects include tutoring young children, visiting lonely older people, building homes for the homeless, putting on skits for children, etc. Map of current site, ways you can start your own.
Teen Ink Community Service Awards
What do you do to make your community a better place? How has volunteering changed you and the way you view the world? Write an essay describing your experiences and win $100 for yourself and $100 for your favorite charity.
Please contact us at Resources@TeenInk.com with your suggestions and feedback, or to let us know if a link is incorrect or broken.
These listings are presented for informational purposes, and do not necessarily imply endorsement by Teen Ink or The Young Authors Foundation, Inc.