Sue Scheff: Teen LINK – Community Service and Your Teens
by Sue Scheff on Feb 11, 2010
Encouraging your teens to get involved in their community by volunteering can help your child build their self confidence as well as bring sunshine to those in need.
Many high school students may need community service hours, which can help motivate your teen. Once they start giving back they will soon feel the rewards of paying it forward.
Volunteering is so much more than helping others, it is helping yourself. It can feel so good to put a smile on another face, or simply have a dog look forward to their walk. The little things in life are major to those that are need.
In South Florida, there is TeenLink which offers a listing of places that are looking for teen volunteers. From working with the elderly to giving museum tours, there is something for everyone.
Select a category that interests you. Just click on the link to view all volunteer options for that category. Some organizations require you to register or contact an event coordinator prior to volunteering. Use the contact information provided. For the most recent updated volunteer opportunites, click on “Do it Now” located on the right. Happy volunteering!
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Tags: Community Education, Community Service, Parenting Resources, Parenting Teens, Parenting Tips, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sue Scheff, Teen Link, Teen volunteering
Sue Scheff: Haiti Crisis, get your family and kids involved
by Sue Scheff on Jan 17, 2010
The world is coming together to help the many victims in Haiti. This natural disaster has left many homeless, hungry, without water and destroyed much of what little many had. Many organizations, such as the Red Cross, are diligently working to bring relief to Haiti.
What can you do? Donating money is always needed (if you prefer to make a $10 donation by text message, send the word “HAITI” to 90999), however some people are financially strapped and/or you may have children/teens that would like to be part of helping these people in distress.
In South Florida, Fill The Truck For Haiti Initiative, has begun. You can encourage your family, friends and neighbors to collect are non perishable food items, toiletries, bed linen, first aid kits, new items of clothing, cots, bottled water, towels, flashlights and batteries, children formulas, diapers etc. For more information call, 754-214-3895. They are also looking for volunteers.
Encourage your teens to find ways online locally that they can get involved in. Giving back, volunteering and just being part of helping others can help everyone! Pay it forward, the rewards are priceless.
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Tags: Community Service, Haiti Crisis, Help Haiti, Parenting, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sue Scheff, Volunteering
Sue Scheff: Gifts that Keep Giving
by Sue Scheff on Nov 28, 2009
Did you take part in Black Friday? Many people set their alarm clocks for those 4:00am sales. Everyone is looking for a bargain.
In a year that has been less than financially friendly to many families, these early morning sales can help them make a difference in giving their child that special gift they asked for.
During this time of year, it is also time to think about so many gifts that won’t cost you money, however will be priceless in their value.
Here are some ideas:
- Your time. It is that simple, your children crave your attention and would love to have more time with you. Can you make a promise to take more time out of your schedule and give it to your child? Learn about “Family Time Out” all year round.
- Volunteer with your family. There is nothing more fulfilling than giving back to those with less. Contact your local Goodwill, Red Cross or Salvation Army. Find out where the homeless shelters or soup kitchens are in your area - take a day to donate your time to others as a family. Learn more about Volunteering in your community.
- Clean out your closets! What does this mean? Do you have old toys, yet in good condition, or games that maybe you only used once or twice? Do you have clothes you no longer wear however are still like new? Donate! Everyone take the time to give up what they don’t use and find a place to donate to needy families. Bikes are always a hot and needed item.
- Does your grocery store offer buy one get one free? In Florida, Publix offers this almost everyday on many items. Give that item to a local food bank. Again, it is all about giving to those with less and doing this together will teach your children to be less materialistic and more about the true meaning of the holidays – to give.
- Spirituality. Maybe you are not religious, maybe you were at one time or maybe you are. Whatever category you fall into, maybe it is time to find visit a new church or synagogue. Trying new experiences can be enlightening and you never know who you may meet or what you might learn.
- Picture Time! Yes, of course you can take photo’s but to have more fun, drag out those boxes from your childhood, home movies from years (decades) ago as well as your child’s photo’s from birth to today! Your kids, even teens love this – and there is nothing like laughing and memories to bring in a new year and celebrate the love of family.
Do you have more ideas for families to try this holiday season that are cost effective? Please leave them in comments. Remember the holidays are about giving and as parents we need to set the example for our children.
Reminder: Holiday Safety Tips
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Tags: Community Service, Family Time, Family Volunteering, Gift giving, Parenting, parenting advice, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sue Scheff, Volunteering
Sue Scheff: Volunteering and your Community
by Sue Scheff on Nov 22, 2009
Pay it forward and feel good!
Did you miss part one? Click here.
Part 2:
6. Tell us how VolunteerSpot can help others.
We do all the busy work behind coordinating volunteers and save more time for meaningful work. Our simple online tool eliminates the need for clipboard sign up sheets, reply-all email, Excel spreadsheets and phone tag. For example, it takes more than 200 parent volunteers to put on a school carnival http://www.volunteerspot.com/ebooks/Carnivals/ That’s a lot of coordination! we make it easy for each class’s parents to sign up to staff a booth or concessions stand saving carnival organizers a week of work! This video gives a quick tour of our sign up tool: http://www.volunteerspot.com/video/
7. The holiday season is around the corner, do you find it gets busier or do you feel that many people are simply too busy to volunteer?
I believe that the holidays bring out the best in everyone. There is an influx of new volunteers at community kitchens and charities that gather toys, food and clothing for families in need. To promote local seasonal service, we’ve launched a Giving Tree Giveaway sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation. Plan a holiday service activity on VolunteerSpot and Arbor Day Foundation will plant a tree in a fire-damaged national forest in your honor. Learn more at www.VolunteerSpot.com/GivingTree
8. What are the benefits of volunteering? How can we create more awareness about the benefits of volunteering?
Volunteering feels GREAT, and studies show helping others actually improves your mood and helps you live longer! Volunteering is also a wonderful way to strengthen your resume, build new professional skills and network within your community.
For families, volunteering together builds meaningful communication opportunities and perspective. Kids who volunteer with their families are more likely to volunteer as adults, and that’s good for all our communities!
9. Are there age limits? Do you recommend teens get involved?
People of all ages and backgrounds can volunteer – from preschoolers participating in food drives to grandparents rocking babies in the hospital.
Service provides an ideal opportunity for teens to explore new interests and passions. If a teen is interested in green causes, consider volunteering at a recycling center, or an Earth Day festival. Curious about a career as a vet? Volunteer at the animal shelter or wildlife preserve. Love children? Join a mentoring program or coach at an after-school sports league in a low-income neighborhood.
Teens also bring very useful technical skills to understaffed nonprofits – like helping them find outreach groups on MySpace, Facebook, Ning and Twitter. Shooting YouTube Videos and updating websites – all of these are super helpful skill that most volunteer groups need lots more of.
10. Please share with us anything more you would like people to know about VolunteerSpot?
VolunteerSpot is really really easy to use and saves so much time! If you know someone faced with coordinating a group of people for your booster club, league, neighborhood association, congregation or nonprofit, please let them know about us! VolunteerSpot, DOING GOOD just got easier! http://www.VolunteerSpot.com
Follow VolunteerSpot on Twitter @VolunteerSpot
Visit VolunteerSpot Blog for updates!
Reminder: Holiday Safety Tips
Article for Holiday Jobs and Volunteering for Teens.
Part 1 – click here.
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Tags: Community Service, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Volunteer Services, Volunteer Spot, Volunteering
Sue Scheff:Volunteering Just Got Easier! T’is the Season!
by Sue Scheff on Nov 21, 2009
It is always better to give than it is to receive. We hear that a lot and for good reason. It is true!
This is such an important topic, there will be two parts to this article. VolunteerSpot is a fantastic organization designed to help you give back to your community. There are no more excuses! During this holiday season, take the time to learn more about your neighborhood and what their needs are.
The founder of VolunteerSpot, Karen Bantuveris, recently took time to answer questions about her mission and hopefully will give you inspiration to take steps to help others this holiday season and all year round!
Part 1:
1. Why and when did you start VolunteerSpot?
I’m a working mom and when my daughter entered school I knew I wanted to be active in the classroom and with her Scout troop, etc. I wanted to quickly and easily schedule my volunteer commitments with the rest of my business calendar, but my inbox kept filling up with back and forth emails over how many cupcakes to bring to the class party or whose turn it is to help at recess or other really clutter some communication – I knew several parents that just said ‘take me off the list’ because of this.
It’s not that parents didn’t want to help, it’s that there wasn’t a good way to ask them – so that’s when I got the idea for VolunteerSpot.
We launched our ‘Early Edition’ in the Spring of 2009. What started as a tool to help my PTA in Austin, TX has grown to helping more than 100,000 volunteers participate in their communities across the country.
2. VolunteerSpot offers many resources. What do you feel people benefit most from your organization?
We save volunteer leaders time and frustration and get more people volunteering. Typically we hear that it’s always the same people volunteering at school, little league, library, etc. With VolunteerSpot, we make it easy for more parents to volunteer – because it’s so easy to find a spot on the schedule that fits in their busy lives. Open an email, click to the schedule, click a shift and you’ve found a volunteer job. Plus parents also love our automated reminders so they never forget what they signed up to help with.
3. How many different states have participated in VolunteerSpot and how can people join?
We’re currently serving volunteers in more than 40 states (and several countries)! Anyone can launch a VolunteerSpot sign up – it’s really easy to get started with our simple planning wizard. It’s been truly remarkable seeing all the wonderful ways folks find to use VolunteerSpot. In addition to helping parents and teachers coordinate volunteers at school and sports, we see congregations and nonprofits using us for their good work like after school mentoring programs, literacy outreach, community arts festivals, handicapped riding programs, building teams and community kitchens.
4. Do you charge any fees? Do you have sponsors?
VolunteerSpot is free for teachers and grassroots volunteer leaders. We ask that workplace volunteer teams, leagues and nonprofits with budget contribute to keep us free for groups that can’t afford us. Sponsors are important to our business and we’ll be adding new features soon to help them support the good work of our volunteers.
5. What motivates you and what inspired you to start this wonderful organization?
Professionally, I’m a business process expert. When I saw good people drop out of volunteering, and leaders burn out over frustrating communication obstacles, I just knew that there had to be a better way! By simplifying the volunteer experience, our tool has increased volunteer participation by more than 20%, reduced leader burnout and increased donations to the organization that use us!
Part 2 continues with how VolunteerSpot can help you! Click here.
Follow VolunteerSpot on Twitter @VolunteerSpot and get updates on their Blog.
Reminder: Holiday Safety Tips!
Article on Holiday Jobs and Volunteering for Teens
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Tags: Community Service, Parenting, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sue Scheff, Volunteering, Volunteers, VolunteerSpot
Sue Scheff: Making a Difference Through Local Organizations
by Sue Scheff on Nov 03, 2009
One of the best ways to become a productive citizen is through involvement with various community projects and organizations. Every American community will have its own flavor of local organizations, and it’s simply a matter of finding out which ones are around to participate in. There are also a series of programs that are available in most places in America, and anyone who wants to be a good citizen can join. The main goal in joining these organizations is to connect with other people in your community while promoting a good cause.
Neighborhood Watch Program™
One of the most popular and effective community organizations is the Neighborhood Watch Program™. The Neighborhood Watch™ is great to become a productive citizen because it is one of the best ways to connect members of a community in a unified crime prevention effort.
If your area lacks a Neighborhood Watch Program™, then you can easily start one. All you need to do is gather a group of local neighbors who are concerned with community safety, inform the local police of your intentions, and get started with a new Watch program. The police will often arrange a meeting with Watch members and you can hash out exactly what kind of organization you w ant to run and figure out how you will work in cooperation with law enforcement. Then it is simply a matter of registering at the Neighborhood Watch Program™ web site.
The Neighborhood Watch™ is the perfect way to start your journey as a productive citizen because the Watch brings neighbors together as they gather for meetings and discussions on community safety. These meetings help keep the community informed of danger while promoting healthy neighborhood communication. Proper citizenship relies on participation, and the Neighborhood Watch™ doesn’t merely help connect neighbors but also helps protect your neighborhood from crime. Once becoming a part of the National Neighborhood Watch™ network, you can hold regular meetings and spread information through pamphlets and training techniques that the national organization sends you, this way you can help lead your entire community to a safer way of living, and as everyone looks out for each other it promotes a greater sense of community.
Recycling and Composting
Another great option for community involvement involves local recycling programs. There are always recycling programs available to join in communities, often run through local school systems. Joining these programs is easy and helps promote an eco-friendly community view. You can even set up a compost system in your own backyard or through the recycling program. Compost provides some of the best soil you can ever produce and is a great way to recycle and reuse your waist products.
Becoming involved in these types of earth friendly activities helps show your children and the community that saving waste can help keep a community clean and isn’t even that difficult too do. If you are working on a compost system, you can use it to create a community garden in a local park; this can promote community unity and help beautify the area. People in the community will look up to you when working on these type of recycling projects, especially if you use them to create something more than just recycling, like a community garden. Creating this type of end product for your work to accumulate towards can solidify the idea of a good citizen in the minds of those who actually see you in action.
Red Cross™
There are a variety of Red Cross™ branches and splinter groups spread across communities throughout the United States, and it’s a good idea for serious citizens to become involved in at least some of them. There are a variety of different ways to become involved in Red Cross organizations, depending on your desired level of participation. Donating blood at a local Red Cross™ blood drive is a great way to become involved. Blood donations save the lives of large numbers of people each year are some of the easiest, but most rewarding forms of participation a good citizen can undertake. Truly dedicated citizens may take their involvement one step further and volunteer at a blood drive or a Red Cross™ homeless shelter. There are a variety of programs and events going on through Red Cross™ that don’t take much work, but do a lot of good, and these programs impart a powerful sense of pride in those that participate.
Volunteering with Red Cross™ not only shows leadership and drive but helps aid those who need it the most. Working with the Red Cross™ on any level affects a much larger number of people then you might think and can help bring others in your community to the same level of involvement. The most important action a good citizen can do is serving as an example for others to follow, and there is no better way than volunteering with a local Red Cross™ organization.
Tags: Community Service, Neighborhood Watch, Parenting Teens, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Red Cross, Sue Scheff, Teen Community Service
Sue Scheff: Which Nonprofits Are Making a Difference for Youth in Your Community?
by Sue Scheff on Aug 19, 2009
Which Nonprofits Are Making a Difference for Youth in Your Community?
San Francisco, August 2009 – The 2009 GreatNonprofits Youth Thrive Awards (www.greatnonprofits.org/youth ) will recognize the top-rated youth-focused nonprofits. In the months of August and September, the small, medium, and large organizations with the most positive reviews will be featured on GreatNonprofits and Guidestar, the premier site for philanthropic research on the Web.
The contest asks clients, donors, volunteers, and board members to write reviews of these nonprofits. All reviews will be automatically visible on GuideStar.org.
“Reviews show the real human impact of a nonprofits and raise the visibility and credibility of those organizations,” says GreatNonprofits CEO Perla Ni. “This will help highly-rated nonprofits attract more support and volunteers.”
GreatNonprofits is a nonprofit Web site where people can post reviews of nonprofit organizations, similar to “Yelp” or “TripAdvisor.”
Nonprofits with the most positive reviews in their category will be announced as winners and receive promotion on GuideStar.org. Awards will be given out of 9 categories (6 geographic US regions and 3 budget size – small, medium and large). Contest Deadline: September 30th.
In addition, everyone who writes a review is eligible to win great prizes such as a certificate to Birkenstock, Clif Bars, delicious treats from Greyston Bakery and more.
About GreatNonProfits
GreatNonprofits enables user-generated reviews about nonprofits. You already know that one of the best ways to find a good restaurant or a good hotel is through that reviews by other people who have tried them. If you have direct experience with a nonprofit—as a donor, volunteer, client who has been served, board member or professional in the field – GreatNonprofits makes it easier for you to share your knowledge so that other people can discover the great nonprofits that are out there.
GreatNonprofits is a non-profit 501© (3) organization itself, which is funded by foundations and individuals.
Tags: Community Service, Great Nonprofits, GuideStar, Parenting, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sue Scheff, Teen Community Service, teens volunteering, Youth Volunteering
Sue Scheff: Teen Entreprenuers and Summer Volunteering
by Sue Scheff on May 16, 2009
With today’s economy teens and kids are watching or hearing about many of their families having to cut back and become more aware of what they are spending. As parents we need to encourage our kids to look at their future – build a foundation – nurture a dream. With today’s technology the ideas are always expanding. Check out this article and get your kids started in a positive direction!
Source: Connect with Kids
“I’m a gigantic believer in the value of an entrepreneurial experience- if there’s any time in someone’s life when they ought to take a risk it’s when they are not saddled with an enormous number of financial and family responsibilities.”
– Andrea Hershatter, Ph.D., M.B.A.
When today’s teens talk about what they want to be when they grow up … the answer that is becoming more common than ever is: my own boss.
Like a lot of college freshmen, Sean Belnick has a job on the side. He works for a company that brings in more than 20-million dollars a year. It’s his company… he owns it.
“We started off with a couple of orders a day and it just mushroomed from there,” he says.
A huge warehouse now stocks the office chairs he sells online. But it all started in his bedroom, when he was 15 years old.
“I always had an entrepreneurial spirit,” he says.
More teens than ever are tapping into their entrepreneurial spirit. In fact, according to Junior Achievement Worldwide, interest in entrepreneurship camps is up 30 percent.
What’s more, experts say, kids have a huge advantage as entrepreneurs because they know the web and know network sites like Facebook and Myspace.
“They intuitively understand the power and potential of using web based services for distribution, for marketing, for outreach… for connections,” says Andrea Herchatter with Emory University, “And they’re incredible networkers who have a very large number of human resources in terms of their peers at their disposal.”
“That’s the whole thing with the internet really,” says Belnick, “Anyone can put a web site up. And it looks professional. But there’s nothing saying that there’s a 20-year-old kid behind it. Which is the biggest thing about the internet, you know, you can create your own credibility.”
Experts say parents should encourage entrepreneurship in their kids… whether it’s moving lawns or an online business.
They may not make millions… but they will learn a lot about managing a business and turning a profit.
“I think they learn, they grow, they mature. If they are not enriched financially then at least they are enriched in terms of life experiences that will serve them forever,” says Herchatter.
Tips for Parents
With the employment rate down for teens, many are opting for volunteer positions instead of paid positions. And despite many adults being convinced of a decline in the values and morals of today’s young people, recent surveys show that many teens are giving of their time to work for causes in which they believe and to help those who are less fortunate. Teens find volunteer opportunities through religious organizations, school-based programs and community agencies.
Teens listed several reasons for volunteering:
- Compassion for people in need
- Feeling they can do something for a cause in which they believe
- A belief that if they help others, others will help them
In addition, some teens volunteer their time in occupational fields in which they are interested. In addition to being helpful, they are able to use their experiences in deciding on future career choices.
Teens reported benefiting from their volunteer experiences in many ways, including:
- Learning to respect others.
- Learning to be helpful and kind.
- Learning to understand people who are different from them.
- Developing leadership skills.
- Becoming more patient.
- Gaining a better understanding of good citizenship.
- Exploring or learning about career options.
- Developing new career goals.
Children learn from their parents. The survey showed teens that reported having positive role models were nearly twice as likely to volunteer as those who did not. Encourage your child to volunteer by setting an example. Youth Service America provides additional ways to increase teen volunteerism:
- Ask them to volunteer.
- Encourage youth to get involved at an early age. Volunteering when young creates lifelong adult volunteers.
- Encourage children and young adults to participate in community groups, faith-based organizations, student government and school projects.
- Encourage a positive self-image so young people are able to help others and contribute to their communities.
- Be a mentor in your community.
- Provide young people with opportunities to take courses that include and even require community service.
References
- The Higher Education Research Institute
- The Independent Sector
- Youth Service America
Tags: Community Service, Connect with Kids, Parenting Teens, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sue Scheff, Summer Volunteering, Teen Summer Jobs, Teen volunteering
Sue Scheff: Top Ten Youth Volunteers – Receive Awards
by Sue Scheff on May 15, 2009
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, the United States’ largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteer service. For their extraordinary efforts in serving others through volunteerism, ten middle and high school students from across the country were named America’s top ten youth volunteers for 2009 in a ceremony at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce headquarters, capping the 14th year of The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.
Tags: Community Service, Parenting, Parenting Teens, Prudential Spirit Awards, Sue Scheff, Teen Community Service, Teen Volunteer Awards, Teens Helping Others, teens volunteering
Sue Scheff: Community Service and Teens
by Sue Scheff on May 12, 2009
Summer ideas and a great way to get your teens involved!
One of the best ways to become a productive citizen is through involvement with various community projects and organizations. Every American community will have its own flavor of local organizations, and it’s simply a matter of finding out which ones are around to participate in. There are also a series of programs that are available in most places in America, and anyone who wants to be a good citizen can join. The main goal in joining these organizations is to connect with other people in your community while promoting a good cause.
Neighborhood Watch Program™
One of the most popular and effective community organizations is the Neighborhood Watch Program™. The Neighborhood Watch™ is great to become a productive citizen because it is one of the best ways to connect members of a community in a unified crime prevention effort.
If your area lacks a Neighborhood Watch Program™, then you can easily start one. All you need to do is gather a group of local neighbors who are concerned with community safety, inform the local police of your intentions, and get started with a new Watch program. The police will often arrange a meeting with Watch members and you can hash out exactly what kind of organization you w ant to run and figure out how you will work in cooperation with law enforcement. Then it is simply a matter of registering at the Neighborhood Watch Program™ web site.
The Neighborhood Watch™ is the perfect way to start your journey as a productive citizen because the Watch brings neighbors together as they gather for meetings and discussions on community safety. These meetings help keep the community informed of danger while promoting healthy neighborhood communication. Proper citizenship relies on participation, and the Neighborhood Watch™ doesn’t merely help connect neighbors but also helps protect your neighborhood from crime. Once becoming a part of the National Neighborhood Watch™ network, you can hold regular meetings and spread information through pamphlets and training techniques that the national organization sends you, this way you can help lead your entire community to a safer way of living, and as everyone looks out for each other it promotes a greater sense of community.
Recycling and Composting
Another great option for community involvement involves local recycling programs. There are always recycling programs available to join in communities, often run through local school systems. Joining these programs is easy and helps promote an eco-friendly community view. You can even set up a compost system in your own backyard or through the recycling program. Compost provides some of the best soil you can ever produce and is a great way to recycle and reuse your waist products.
Becoming involved in these types of earth friendly activities helps show your children and the community that saving waste can help keep a community clean and isn’t even that difficult too do. If you are working on a compost system, you can use it to create a community garden in a local park; this can promote community unity and help beautify the area. People in the community will look up to you when working on these type of recycling projects, especially if you use them to create something more than just recycling, like a community garden. Creating this type of end product for your work to accumulate towards can solidify the idea of a good citizen in the minds of those who actually see you in action.
Red Cross™
There are a variety of Red Cross™ branches and splinter groups spread across communities throughout the United States, and it’s a good idea for serious citizens to become involved in at least some of them. There are a variety of different ways to become involved in Red Cross organizations, depending on your desired level of participation. Donating blood at a local Red Cross™ blood drive is a great way to become involved. Blood donations save the lives of large numbers of people each year are some of the easiest, but most rewarding forms of participation a good citizen can undertake. Truly dedicated citizens may take their involvement one step further and volunteer at a blood drive or a Red Cross™ homeless shelter. There are a variety of programs and events going on through Red Cross™ that don’t take much work, but do a lot of good, and these programs impart a powerful sense of pride in those that participate.
Volunteering with Red Cross™ not only shows leadership and drive but helps aid those who need it the most. Working with the Red Cross™ on any level affects a much larger number of people then you might think and can help bring others in your community to the same level of involvement. The most important action a good citizen can do is serving as an example for others to follow, and there is no better way than volunteering with a local Red Cross™ organization.
Learn more - click here.
Tags: Community Service, Parenting, Parenting Teens, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sue Scheff, Teen Community Service, Teen Summer Activities, Teen volunteering
