College Student Volunteering Oportunities During Fall Break 2009

If you think all college students are mimicking roles played out in the infamous movie of Animal House, you are wrong. Not all college students want to party all the time when they get a break away from the classroom. They much rather put their hands, minds and souls to good use and make their lives mean something. If this sounds like you, then you are already trying to plan something very productive to do during your Fall break this year, however you are stumped when it comes to what "actually" there is to do. Volunteering is one of the top things you need to look into. Not only will volunteering your time and energy make you feel great on the inside, it will also be a big reference and experience to put down on your resume once your college life has concluded. I have a few opportunities that you may want to look into that will have you saying "I am ready to volunteer for them this Fall break!" and trust me, these organizations are thrilled you are out there.

www.americorps.gov
Americorps has three different chapters inside its organization for you to pick. Americorps State and National, Americorps Vista, and Americorps NCCC all have different specifications that will categorize what you are wanting to do with your time.

Americorps State and National requirements are looking for people 17 and older, you are ready to put your ideas into practice, needing money to pay off student loans or pay for college now, and also people who are ready to learn new skills. Some of their fields you will be working in under this program throughout the communities are education, health, safety, and disaster response and disaster preparedness.

Americorps NCCC needs anyone who is between the ages of 18-24 who is ready to get down and get their hands dirty with some good old fashion volunteering labor. You will clear trails, provide disaster relief, renovate homes, and tutoring kids. With this part of the program you will be asked if you would like to travel to help out and you will also be living and working with a team who you will become very close to.

Americorps Vista is seeking anyone who is at least 18 years old and who has very strong opinions and ideas about poverty in America. This program under Americorps is a little more detailed with the qualifications however if you are qualified for it, and prepared to dedicate your time to an extensive project list, then this part of the programs is right for you.

If any of this sounds great for you, and what you are seeking then just head over to their website, plop in what field of interest is right for you, and then click on your state. All the information they give you will become very beneficial for you this Fall break!

www.habitat.org
Everyone in the United States and beyond knows what this organization does, it rebuilds homes for communities who were damaged by a natural disaster. It also provides housing for low income families who just can't seem to get a break anywhere else. I know you may have heard about this organization a million times over, but do you really know what they do? If not, look at some of the volunteer programs I have listed below for you.

Global Village Program is part of the Habitat for Humanity's global travel. During specific weeks throughout the year, and some are during the Fall breaks, you will go to different villages like in Indonesia and Romania and build communities for homes. You will not work alone with just people from the United States, you will also be working along side different cultures within the village you are building in.

Women Build is just for women guys, sorry. However, this is a great opportunity for you gals in college who need to learn a new trade or just want to gain valuable skills on how to build homes and communities. No need for experience, Habitat for Humanity will pave your way to a better knowledge of construction. Woman power at its finest!

A Brush with Kindness is a fun part of Habitat for Humanity. This section of the program you will not be doing any construction, but you will provide your hands in the form of helping low income families who are having a hard time keeping their exterior part of their homes up. You will mainly be painting, but I am sure there are some parts where you maybe doing yard work as well!

Just click your way on over to their website for all the information on how you can become a volunteer this Fall break. Also many campus's have local Habitat for Humanity Restores near them, so you may want to also check those out for more in depth information and face to face contact for your questions and answers!

I have provided you two great volunteering opportunities out there. Ones I know for sure you will enjoy being involved in. There are so many more out there, like, United Way or Global Volunteers, it really does not matter which volunteer program you pick, the mere fact is you should pick on that is right for you and one that will make you want to volunteer. Have fun, be safe and God bless!