What are some volunteer opportunities in Austin that I can take my young daughters to?

October 8, 2007 7:25 PM

What are some volunteer opportunities that I can take my 6-8 year old daughters to?

I think that my daughters are growing up relatively sheltered and unaware that there are people in the world who don't live in ideal circumstances. I would like for them to see with their own eyes that there are humans who are in need of the basics. Please understand that I'm not trying to put anyone on parade.

To that end, I'd like to find a place where we can do some casual volunteer work where they come face to face with people. Food drives are one (useful) thing, but they would never see why the food is needed. Something like volunteering at a soup kitchen, children's hospital, or a coats for kids distribution would be great, but most of the places I've seen in the Austin area require a certain time commitment per month and I'm not sure if the girls are up to that at their age.

Requirements:
1) Younger children are allowed to participate
2) In-person dealings with others
3) Safe
4) Casual volunteering okay; no time requirement
5) Austin area

Any suggestions?

(I've checked Volunteer Match but most of the kid volunteer opportunities are environmental, want older kids, or have a minimum time requirement.)

posted by Addlepated to society & culture (4 comments total)

It is worth contacting the places with opportunities that interest you and asking about the possibility of one-time volunteering. In LA, I volunteered at a center requiring training, commitment, etc., of regular volunteers, but I noticed that our volunteer coordinators were open to having groups from companies, churches, scouts, or single families come in on a one-time basis to help out with sorting donations, food preparation, party preparation, etc.
posted by PY at 7:36 PM on October 8, 2007

Something that parents can do with their children and it's fun and is safe is something I did in high school, which is volunteer to fill bags and boxes at a food bank or food bank. For you, your children will be behind the scenes with you. For them, they will get an inspiring experience about helping others. There are plenty of churches, synagogues, and mosques (don't know your persuasion) that have these programs so it's worth just asking.
posted by parmanparman at 8:47 PM on October 8, 2007

"... Any suggestions?"

Occasionally, I still take my dog to a nursing home where my mother resided, for a short while, before she died. He's a good boy, and welcomed, generally, by all whose rooms he pokes his black, happy nose in, when we visit.

But the response he gets, is nothing, to the response children get, when wandering about the place. If I had both my silly, untrained dog, and a child or two with a bit of curiousity, I'm sure I'd get a weekly mention, with a photo, in the local paper.

Seriously, when was the last time you took your children to a place in which they might have to "put" you, eventually? If you need a "project" to suggest to them, simply ask them to learn and record 5 residents names, each visit.
posted by paulsc at 3:05 AM on October 9, 2007

Service dog organizations often need people to come in and socialize (play with) the dogs. Usually the people who get dogs are required to volunteer quite a bit of time so your kids would be exposed to the clients as well.
This one looks like it might be near you and they they are seeking volunteers for play time. You'd have to call and ask what their policies on kids are but I bet they need help with something your girls could participate in. If nothing else, mailings would probably be a good one shot deal. Call them up and see what they suggest.
If they like dogs it's a fun way for kids to learn about volunteering.
posted by BoscosMom at 6:17 AM on October 9, 2007