The legalization of same-sex marriage is very important to me. What can I do to help? [more inside]
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl on Nov 6, 2009 - 16 answers

I've been cooped up and dealing with excessive work and depression for a while. I'm on the mend, and doing better than I've been in a while, and I'm looking for ways to meet more people. I hear all kinds of great things about volunteering, and while it appeals to me, I haven't had very good luck with it. (More inside.) [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 13, 2009 - 20 answers

I need a temporary low-maintenance, but social, 'after work' place/thing/something to do while I try to get my health in order. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 24, 2009 - 26 answers

I'm taking an innovative course on using technology for humanitarian causes, taught by a professor I really like. But it's awful! How can I tell him what I think, and/or turn this disaster of a course into something worthwhile? [more inside]
posted by k. on Sep 23, 2009 - 29 answers

I asked This question a couple of months ago. Since then I've gone through one of the worst periods of depression of my life. I'm seeing a therapist and taking anti-depressants but they're not really helping. I'm depressed about my complete lack of meaningful relationships and experiences and the depression has made me more isolated and unmotivated than ever. I feel like I need to do something drastic to force myself to get out of my head and start living my life. I want to be in a situation where I have no choice but to work hard and interact with people. Volunteering abroad appeals to me a great deal but I have no real skills and I'm guessing my mental health problems would make it hard to get a placement. Would volunteering abroad be possible or advisable and is there anything else I could do?
posted by anonymous on Sep 20, 2009 - 33 answers

Help me find an active, interesting, and rewarding volunteer opportunity in Austin, TX. [more inside]
posted by MuChao on Sep 15, 2009 - 6 answers

NGOfilter: I think I've discovered my vocation - the question is, how do I go about achieving it? Lots of background, questions from clueless young person and more. [more inside]
posted by monocot on Aug 7, 2009 - 7 answers

I want to do something positive for mental health awareness aside from just engaging people on the subject when it comes up. Is there anyone out there I can consider donating my time or money to? [more inside]
posted by silby on Jul 26, 2009 - 6 answers

Are there any sites out there for organizing people to work on collaborative projects or new ideas? [more inside]
posted by Muffpub on Jun 25, 2009 - 8 answers

Organizations like CASA (for foster children) in Canada? [more inside]
posted by JoannaC on Jun 20, 2009 - 4 answers

I'm interested in volunteering at a cat rescue organization in New York City. Any recommendations? [more inside]
posted by miskatonic on Jun 5, 2009 - 7 answers

Getting a job in the voiceover industry is hard, and hardly pays. I get that. But what are some arenas in which I can give it away for free? [more inside]
posted by JeremiahBritt on Jun 3, 2009 - 9 answers

I'm a 20 year old male in the DC area (I live near East Falls Church Metro) with a pretty significant amount of free time on my hands for at least the next three months. I don't have a car, and can't drive. I'm looking to do something that will improve other people's lives. [more inside]
posted by phrontist on May 19, 2009 - 11 answers

I am thinking of volunteering at a baboon rescue in South Africa () and am wondering if anyone has any experience/wisdom/whatever to share. [more inside]
posted by Maisie on Apr 13, 2009 - 5 answers

I'm looking for a way to help local nursing homes. Any ideas about activities I alone, or 2 or 3 of us together, could do to help a nursing home. I'm looking for something unique and fun. Bingo and karaoke are already taken.
posted by Jandasmo on Apr 2, 2009 - 17 answers

My daughter is interested in a shorter term (1-3 month) Peace Corp/Red Cross type volunteer stint overseas. What programs are out there that pay expenses and give interesting opportunities. She has education and experience in health care, but is interested in any suggestions. Personal stories would also be appreciated.
posted by Jandasmo on Mar 21, 2009 - 8 answers

How has the financial crisis affected the nonprofit sector? [more inside]
posted by drea on Mar 15, 2009 - 26 answers

Wanted: Your experiences of volunteering at a dog rescue centre. I'm thinking of taking it up. [more inside]
posted by Ziggy500 on Dec 22, 2008 - 11 answers

Are there any organizations like 826michigan in Minnesota? [more inside]
posted by sciapod on Nov 5, 2008 - 2 answers

This Cnet article got me thinking. I work as a Business Analyst, and as part of my job I do a lot of QA, requirements gathering and refining, user documentation, and other things. Is this a skill set that would be useful to any open source projects? When I've looked in the past, it's seemed like mainly people were looking for coders and testers. It seems like a great way to do some volunteer work and learn new technology and methodologies (different SDLC models, for instance), but I don't know if middle men like me have a place in the open source world.
posted by Lentrohamsanin on Oct 23, 2008 - 6 answers

In what ways can I use my recently-found software teaching skills to help people? [more inside]
posted by TochterAusElysium on Oct 9, 2008 - 5 answers

Has anyone done a weeks-long stretch of political volunteering? How'd it go? [more inside]
posted by ignignokt on Sep 22, 2008 - 11 answers

How can I help stop child abuse, other than writing a check? [more inside]
posted by middleclasstool on Aug 28, 2008 - 19 answers

Posting for a friend: She needs help getting volunteers to help out with various church functions. [more inside]
posted by KevCed on Aug 13, 2008 - 17 answers

My wife and I are planning a trip to India and we're strongly considering a volunteer/travel program like Cross Cultural Solutions. Anyone out there ever participate in such a program in India? Anyone ever volunteer abroad through CCS? Please share.
posted by thejimp on Aug 11, 2008 - 7 answers

Does anyone have any experience or second-hand knowledge of volunteering with Cross Cultural Solutions? [more inside]
posted by KoobieKitten on Jun 7, 2008 - 1 answer

I just found out that the contract that I am working on will be ending at then end of the month. I'm elated. I've been in a rut for a while, and this seems like the perfect opportunity to shake things up. What now? [more inside]
posted by mumbleitaliano on Jun 4, 2008 - 1 answer

I'm thinking of volunteering at an animal shelter in Los Angeles, working primarily with dogs. What can I expect? [more inside]
posted by bondgirl53001 on May 8, 2008 - 7 answers

How much will dropping off the face of the earth for a year impact my getting into grad school? [more inside]
posted by bobdylanforever on May 8, 2008 - 14 answers

I'm looking for a Peace Corps that doesn't suck. Does it exist? [more inside]
posted by loquacious on May 3, 2008 - 24 answers

Where can I stay in France this summer? [more inside]
posted by greytape on Mar 9, 2008 - 2 answers

What should I do this summer before heading off to grad school? [more inside]
posted by pravit on Feb 28, 2008 - 11 answers

How can I grow my list of "high impact" volunteering opportunities in San Francisco? [more inside]
posted by meifool on Jan 30, 2008 - 5 answers

Where Can People Send Help to Bangladesh? [more inside]
posted by watercarrier on Nov 19, 2007 - 6 answers

My immediate family is considering making our holidays vacation a trip to New Orleans to do volunteer work, excavating houses, etc. Problem #1: We have no idea where to start. [more inside]
posted by Ash3000 on Sep 22, 2007 - 8 answers

Hood+Tech Filter: Help me give these kids a fighting chance. [more inside]
posted by dihutenosa on Aug 9, 2007 - 10 answers

Anyone have experience volunteering with Casa Guatemala? [more inside]
posted by night kitchen on Mar 17, 2007 - 3 answers

Say I want to change my career path and go to medical school. What kind of volunteering would be helpful in terms of a) deciding if medicine is for me, and b) getting into medical school? [more inside]
posted by limicoline on Jan 9, 2007 - 8 answers

I am planning a group trip to Ecuador/Galapagos islands, and we would like to spend a day doing community service. Any suggestions/recommendations/experiences? [more inside]
posted by orangskye on Jan 7, 2007 - 4 answers

what can bring meaning to my life? (long story inside) [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 25, 2006 - 69 answers

I'm looking for a blog post about four stages of animal shelter volunteers. [more inside]
posted by BrotherCaine on Oct 19, 2006 - 4 answers

Please help me find a good organization to volunteer at in San Francisco! Preferably one in the Mission District and that serves underprivileged children. [more inside]
posted by fdhidalgo on Aug 20, 2006 - 6 answers

What is the English teaching situation like in Latin America right now? I'm looking for something to do for July and about half of August, and I have a TEFL certificate and some experience. Other suggestions for spending worthwhile time down there welcome. Sidenote: I don't speak Spanish, but learning would be a big incentive for going. [more inside]
posted by borkingchikapa on Jun 8, 2006 - 2 answers

I'm interested in like, traveling and doing some volunteer work. You know, where you go somewhere do some charity work for a week or two, then come home. What organizations arrange these sorts of things? [more inside]
posted by delmoi on Apr 17, 2006 - 11 answers

[Tax Filter] Can you deduct anything related to doing volunteer work? For example, can you deduct gas money while driving for volunteer work or can you deduct the cost of an international aid trip that you go on? Does anything like that count?
posted by phaedrus441 on Feb 26, 2006 - 6 answers

Where do you find your volunteer opportunities? [more inside]
posted by karmaville on Dec 8, 2005 - 14 answers

How does one start a SourceForge Project and get volunteers to help? [more inside]
posted by AmbroseChapel on Dec 3, 2005 - 10 answers

Where can I find a place to volunteer in the Chicago area? [more inside]
posted by frankie_stubbs on Dec 3, 2005 - 5 answers

My kids (12, 10, 8 yrs.) have decided they don't want Christmas gifts this year and would like to do something for those in need. I'm thrilled. Aside from working in a Food Bank or 'adopting a family' any other ideas?
posted by pman78 on Nov 29, 2005 - 33 answers

PromoteSafeVolunteeringFilter. I would like to start volunteering regularly at an AIDS hospice. My nails and cuticles are an ugly, bloody mess from a pretty bad nail-and-cuticle biting habit. It hasn't bothered me until now; but even with the double-layer of gloves I wear while doing the cleaning, the nuns who run the place have pointed out this is not a good situation for the patients or myself. How do I make my hands healthy and keep them that way in as short a time as possible? [more inside]
posted by schroedinger on Nov 28, 2005 - 14 answers