Volunteering
From Simmons Library Guides
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Contents |
Descriptive Career Information
Helping volunteers to market their experience on their resumes
This article written by Mary Agnes Williams for Energize, Inc. examines the importance of emphasizing your volunteer work as a major part of your work history and how those volunteer skills can help you win your new job.
Put volunteer work on your resume
Written by Susan J. Ellis for Charityguide.org, this article acknowledges the need to emphasis the experiences gained and achievements accomplished during the volunteer experience when including volunteer work on you resume. Remember, volunteering isn't simply free labor, it's a valuable experience that develops useful, marketable skills.
Volunteering can reveal your work passion
Quintcareers.com features this article written by Maureen Crawford Hentz, which suggests volunteering as a means of testing the working waters. Only by working in the field, can you really understand the nature of a job and if you can be happy and successful in that field.
The volunteer intern technique
Students lacking in work experience may find this article from collegegrad.com interesting. If you lack experience or have missed the chance to formally intern in your field of choice, this article suggests volunteering as a method of gaining experience, building your resume, and getting your foot in the door.
It will look good on your resume
Mary Ellen Shea Clifford writes this for 1st resumes.com, reminding the reader that volunteerism is more than a resume builder, it's a life changer. Volunteer experience will change you, in how you present yourself to potential employers and in how you live your life.
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Volunteer Organizations
Idealist.org
www.idealist.org/
- Why search here?
- Idealist.org is a project of Action Without Borders, a nonprofit organization founded in 1995. It is an interactive site where people can exchange resources and ideas.
- What's included?
- The "Our Resource Centers - Tools for Organizations" section of this websites contains links to resources and materials for nonprofit managers.
- The "Our Resource Centers - Tools for Organizations" section of this websites contains links to resources and materials for nonprofit managers.
Mass.gov Connect & Serve
Connect and Serve is an initiative, created under the Massachusetts Service Alliance, to boost volunteering in the Commonwealth. This site provides information on various types of volunteer activities as well as how to find volunteer and board opportunities.
People Making a Difference
People Making a Difference is a nonprofit organization that was founded in Boston in 1992. It is completely run by volunteers and it "promotes informed and responsible volunteerism by involving people in meaningful, one-time, hands-on work that meets the needs of local charities and by assisting companies and charities in building successful community involvement programs."
Samaritans of Boston
Samaritans’ purpose is to alleviate despair, isolation, distress and suicidal feelings among individuals in our community, 24 hours a day; to educate the public about suicide prevention; and to reduce the stigma associated with suicide. We accomplish this through services that emphasize confidential, nonjudgmental, and compassionate listening.
Single Volunteers Boston (SVB)
As the name implies, this non-profit organization provides a way for people who are single(not married or in a committed relationship)to have fun and meet new people while spending time volunteering and helping their community.
Volunteer Boston
This site is a volunteer resource that supplies information on a wide range of volunteer opportunities including hunger & homelessness, education, youth, women, seniors, health & fitness, crisis relief, animals & environment, culture & community, service organizations, and foundations & fundraisers.
Volunteer Match
This is an excellent source that allows you to search for volunteer opportunities. "The organization offers a variety of online services to support a community of nonprofit, volunteer and business leaders committed to civic engagement."
Volunteer Opportunities helping families and parents
In addition to providing valuable resources and information for families and parents, this site also offers a list of volunteer opportunities related to helpig families and parents, elders, literacy and learning, as well as other volunteer opportunities.
Volunteer Solutions
"Volunteer Solutions is a Volunteer Matching Application that helps Volunteer Centers connect individuals to volunteer opportunities in their community. Volunteer Solutions helps volunteers, nonprofit agencies, corporations, event organizers, and Volunteer Centers get connected." This site allows you to search for opportunities throughout the U.S. and to narrow down your selection by being able to choose the social group you would like to work with, the opportunities available to different populations, and the categories that best describe your interests.
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Places to Volunteer in Boston
Boston Cares
Boston Cares, which is a member of the HandsOn Network and Points of Light Institute, is an organization that promotes "team oriented volunteering on a flexible basis." They organize more than 150 volunteer projects each month, some of which include cleaning parks, tutoring children and caring for sheltered animals
Boston French Center
The French Library Alliance Francaise of Boston(FAB)is a "non profit organization whose mission is to provide an authentic French cultural and social experience for the purpose of personal enrichment and greater understanding of the diverse peoples of the French-speaking world." The Library is currently looking for volunteers to assist with administrative tasks, cultural programs and special events.
Boston Hostel
The Hostelling International Boston is located in downtown Boston whose mission is "to help all, especially the young, gain a greater understanding of the world and its people through hostelling." The organization currently has volunteer opportunities for social outing leaders, cultural trip leaders, outdoor outing leaders, and the information desk.
City of Boston
CityofBoston.gov, which is the "official website of the City of Boston" provides information on places to volunteer through the Human Resources Department and Office of Jobs & Community Services.
Volunteer Boston
This site is a volunteer resource that supplies information on a wide range of volunteer opportunities including hunger & homelessness, education, youth, women, seniors, health & fitness, crisis relief, animals & environment, culture & community, service organizations, and foundations & fundraisers.
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Volunteer Books
10 Things Employers Want You to Learn in College : The Know-How You Need to Succeed
CRL College Success
Contains information on how volunteer work during your college years can be beneficial to you and your future.
Alternatives to the Peace Corps : A guide to Global Volunteer Opportunities
CRL International Work
As the title states, this book provides ideas on volunteer organizations that are similar to the Peace Corps. There is also information on determining your needs as well as a section on U.S. and international organizations and resources.
The Idealist.org Handbook to Building a Better World : How to Turn Your Good Intentions into Actions That Make a Difference
CRL Social services/Non Profits
Idealist is a project of Action Without Borders, a nonprofit organization founded in 1995. While Idealist.org is probably better known for the websites it provides geared towards mostly nonprofits, this book contains information about nonprofit basics, volunteering, board service, philanthropy, changing the world through the workplace, corporate social responsibility, and ways to change the world while getting paid to do so.
Simple Things You Can Do to Make a Difference in Greater Boston
CRL Social Services Non Profits
Provides information on ways to get involved in volunteer and community work that supports the mission of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay; which is to focus on the main cause of social problems and to work on prevention and maintenance. "Many of the volunteer opportunities listed within this book are steps to help others prevent problems at early, manageable stages and improve their life and future."
Volunteer : A Traveller's Guide to Making a Difference Around the World
CRL International Work
A World of Options : A Guide to International Exchange, Community Service and Travel for Persons With Disabilities
CRL Special Needs
Contains information for people with disabilities who are interested in international educational exchange, community service and travel programs. The chapters include materials on the rights of people with disabilities to participate in international opportunitites, international educational exchange programs, international voluntary workcamps, community service projects and internships, financial aid and fundraising, organizations concerned with the education of students with disabilites, organizations concerned with international perspectives on disabilities, travel, resource materials, and personal experience stories
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