Meaningful Volunteer Opportunities in Dallas, Texas

Volunteering is a noble cause that not only helps others but also enhances the life of the volunteer. I have served in many different volunteer roles in my life, enjoying most of them thoroughly. As with every type of organization, some were better than others. The key was finding the right fit for my personality, skills, interests, and causes that were dear to me. If you have the itch to help your community, make sure that you find the right fit for you. Volunteering is a commitment that shouldn't be taken lightly. Volunteers are the lifeblood of non-profit organizations and are critical to their success.

Finding meaningful volunteer opportunities isn't always as easy as it might seem. When searching for a volunteer position, it might be a good idea to ask yourself these questions first. What am I good at? What do I enjoy doing? What cause do I want to support? Once you decide on the answers to those important questions, you should begin your search. First, I recommend asking family, friends, co-workers if they know of a good place to volunteer in your area. You can also try searching on Volunteer Match ( http://www.volunteermatch.org /). Additionally, listed below are a few volunteer opportunities in Dallas worth considering.

CitySquare, formerly known as Central Dallas Ministries is a non-profit organization that I have firsthand experience with. While I was not technically a volunteer, I completed a summer of service working for CitySquare as an Americorps member. Similar to volunteering, Americorps is a program that is often referred to as the domestic version of the Peace Corps. In exchange for a small education award and modest living allowance, Americorps members provide needed service to their communities in the areas such as hunger, education, and poverty, etc. During this experience, I witnessed the quality service that CitySquare is providing to the Dallas community.

According to their website, CitySquare's mission statement reads as follows, "CitySquare exists to fight the root causes of poverty by partnering with those in need. Working together as a community, we feed the hungry, heal the sick, house the homeless, and renew hope in the heart of our city." Volunteer opportunities at CitySquare include positions in the areas of hunger (working at the food pantry), health (working with community health services), and housing (assisting families with obtaining affordable housing). See City Square's website ( http://citysq.org /) for more information or call CitySquare's Volunteer Coordinator at 214-823-8710.

Another excellent organization to serve the community of Dallas with is SoupMobile. Run by the infamous SoupMan, SoupMobile's three main missions are to feed the homeless, shelter the homeless, and celebrate Jesus. Both groups and individuals are welcome to volunteer with SoupMobile in one of the following areas: food serving, food preparation, supply delivery, or office help. Volunteers must be 21 years of age or at least twelve and accompanied by a parent or guardian, and schedule an appointment in advance.

Founded in 1982, the North Texas Food Bank is a non-profit organization in Dallas whose simple but profound mission is to passionately pursue a hunger-free community. The North Texas Food Bank is a well run organization that makes volunteering easy. At their food warehouse, they offer shifts Monday thru Friday from 9:00am until 12:00pm and 1:00pm until 3:30pm. Weekend shifts are also available. There are also many other opportunities available. See their website http://www.ntfb.org/ for details. Visit their website ( http://www.ntfb.org), view available opportunities, select one that works best for you, and request dates that you can work. Someone from the North Texas Food Bank will contact you to confirm your shift.

I truly believe that volunteers are the glue that holds communities together. If you haven't volunteered before, I highly suggest you give it a try. Volunteering can impact your life in many positive ways. You will have the chance to meet like-minded, community-centered individuals, will learn new things, make someone else's life better, and yours too!



Sources:

SoupMobile: http://www.soupmobile.org/index.php

CitySquare: http://citysq.org/about-citysquare

North Texas Food Bank: http://www.ntfb.org /

VolunteerMatch: http://www.volunteermatch.org /