This guide describes national
organizations that have offices and chapters across the United States offering
an immense variety of ways to serve.
Their national headquarters will direct you to the nearest location.
Before you help any organization, it is important to know
their goals, their services and what volunteers and advocates do so that you
can make an informed choice.
This guide makes it easy for you to get the facts. The brief descriptions let you quickly find
organizations that may be potential interest.
Then you can go to their web site for full details and contact them
directly about volunteering.
NOW IS THE TIME TO AID OUR
COUNTRY.
HELP PEOPLE IN NEED AND GOOD
CAUSES.
Please click the category of your
concern.
WAR, DISASTER & HUMANITARIAN AID
AMERICA’S PROMISE – THE ALLIANCE FOR
YOUTH
Tel: 888-55-YOUTH or 703-684-4500,
Email:
commit@americaspromise.org
http://www.americaspromise.org
The mission of America’s Promise is to build character and
competence of the nation’s youth. Its
promises are to establish for the youth ongoing relationships with caring
adults, safe places with structured activities during non-school hours, healthy
start and future; marketable skills, and opportunities to give back through
community service. Volunteers can
contribute by becoming mentors and providing young people with counsel,
friendship and a positive role model.
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF AMERICA
Tel: 215-567-7000
Email: national@bbbsa.org
This organization strives to make a positive difference in
the lives of children and youth, primarily through a professionally supported
one-to-one relationship with a caring adult, who will assist them in achieving
their highest potential as they grow to become confident, competent and caring
individuals. Volunteers provide
friendship, positive experiences and guidance.
Programs are available in more than 5000 communities nationwide.
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA
Tel: 404-487-5700 or to volunteer: 800-854-CLUB
Email: Use their
email form on their web site
The goal is to inspire and enable all young people,
especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full
potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. Boys & Girls Clubs provide a safe place
to learn and grow. Volunteers help in
programs in the arts, environment, health, careers, alcohol/drug and pregnancy
prevention, gang prevention, leadership development and athletics.
CAMP FIRE USA
Tel: 816-756-1950
Email: info@campfireusa.org
Serves over 650,000 boys and girls through 120 councils in
40 states. Mission is to build caring,
confident youth and future leaders.
Volunteers contribute through small group clubs and mentoring,
leadership development, camping and environmental education, childcare,
self-reliance and service-learning classes.
NATIONAL CASA ASSOCIATION
Tel: 800-628-3233
Email: Use their
email form on their web site
There are 900 programs nationwide where volunteers who are
appointed by judges advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected
children. Volunteers are ordinary
people without legal expertise who work on one case at a time doing research,
reviewing documents, interviewing people who then report their findings to the
judge and make recommendations.
Volunteers receive in-depth training and make a commitment to work for
at least one year.
CHILDREN’S DEFENSE FUND
Tel: 202-628-8787
Email: cdfinfo@childrensdefense.org
http://www.childrensdefense.org
Their mission is to
provide a strong, effective voice for the children of America giving particular
attention to the needs of poor and minority children and those with
disabilities. This agency educates the
nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investment before
children get sick or into trouble, drop out of school or suffer family
breakdown. Volunteers keep abreast of pending
legislation and to write to their senators and representatives about issues
vital to children.
COVENANT HOUSE
Tel: 1-800-388-3888
Email:
dcmail@covenanthouse.org
This organization provides shelter, food, clothing, crisis
care to homeless and runaway youth in many cities across the U.S. Other services include health care,
education, vocational preparation, drug abuse treatment and prevention
programs, legal services, recreation and street outreach. Over 1500 volunteers
contribute by helping these young people through personal crises.
4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Tel:1-800-368-7432 or 301-961-2800
Email: info@fourhcouncil.edu
4-H enables youth to learn new life skills, build
self-confidence, learn responsibility and achieve goals. Members are age 5 to 19. Starting at the local clubs, they can advance
to state and national levels participating in a wide range of programs. Parents, volunteers and community leaders
facilitate activities.
GIRL SCOUTS OF THE USA
Tel: 800-478-7248
Mission is to help girls build character and skills for
success in the real world with strong values, a social conscience and
conviction of their own potential and self-worth. Volunteers can be Girl Scout Leaders, or they may share their
knowledge in other ways, including training girls to be Program Aides, or
becoming involved with Girl Scout community services.
HEAD START BUREAU
Tel: 202-205-8572
Email:
webmaster@acf.dhhs.gov
Operated under the Department of Health and Human Services,
it provides services in the areas of education and early childhood development,
medical, dental, mental, nutrition and parent involvement, with the overall
goal of increasing school readiness for young children of low income
families. Volunteers assist with
classroom activities, transportation, upkeep of centers, playground
supervision, parent education, health screenings.
I HAVE A DREAM FOUNDATION
Tel: All locations are listed on their web site.
Email: newprojects@ihad.org
Volunteers focus their efforts on tutoring, mentoring,
organizing community service activities and working with families to promote
their involvement in their children’s education in an effort to help them stay
in school. People who are willing to
make a substantial commitment to help at-risk children are called Sponsors and
often develop long-term projects and secure funding for those programs.
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT
Tel: 719-540-8000
Email: volunteer@ja.org
This organization reaches over 5.2 millions students
worldwide from elementary through high school.
Goal is to teach youngsters how they can impact the world and to prepare
them for future economic and workforce issues.
Volunteers share their enthusiasm and life experiences. Junior Achievement provides the training,
curriculum and classroom ready for volunteers.
MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION
Tel: 800-722-WISH
Email: mawfa@wish.org
This organization grants the wishes of children with
life-threatening illnesses to enrich the human experience with hope, strength
and joy. There are 81 chapters in the
U.S. Volunteers help in wish granting,
development and fund raising, special events, public relations, translation
services, medical outreach and administration.
UNICEF – Please see listing
under War, Disaster and Humanitarian Aid.
YMCA OF THE USA
All inquiries should be made directly to your local
YMCA. To get their address or phone
number, call 888-333-YMCA, or go to the web site.
There are over 2400 local YMCA associations. Their mission is to build strong kids and
strong families for healthier, safer
and more viable communities. Volunteers
lead exercise classes, read to preschool children, coach teams, help in the
office, serve as role models, work on neighborhood problems and many other activities.
YWCA OF THE U.S.A
Tel: 212-273-7800
Email: Use email
form on their web site
To empower women and girls and to eliminate racism is the
guiding principle for all YWCA childcare, shelter, health, fitness and social
justice programs. Volunteers engage in
a variety of activities, including mentoring, membership board of directors,
fundraising and program assistance.
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AMERICAN RED CROSS (listed in the section War, Disaster and Humanitarian Aid)
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED PERSONS (AARP)
Tel: 800-424-3410
Email: member@aarp.org
AARP’s mission is to shape and enrich the experience of
aging. It focuses its efforts and
resources in health and wellness, economic security and work, long-term care
and independent living and personal enrichment. Volunteer opportunities include care giving, mental health,
social outreach, health advocacy services, retirement planning, tax help,
mature drivers classes, consumer information.
AMERICA’S SECOND HARVEST
Tel: 800-771-2303
This is the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief
organization. Through a network of over
200 food banks and food-rescue program, they distribute food to 26 million
Americans, eight million of whom are children.
Through their matching service, you can find out about volunteer
opportunities in your community.
AMERICORPS
Tel: 202-606-5000
Email: questions@americorps.org
This is a government sponsored program which offers
opportunities to serve in every state.
There are a large variety of programs from working with children in your
own community to building homes for families in distant places. You will receive financial awards to use for
college or grad school or to pay back student loans.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES USA
Tel: 703-549-1390
http://www.catholiccharities.org
Volunteers help people become self-sufficient. Some of the programs offered are child care,
counseling, disaster relief, elderly services, emergency shelter, housing
assistance, job training, parenting education, refugee assistance, services for
person with HIV/AIDS, soup kitchens, drug abuse, youth services.
FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION FUND
Tel: 415-252-8900
Email: fund@fvpf.org
This organization works to end domestic violence and help
women and children. It mobilizes
concerned individuals, allied professionals, women’s rights, civil rights and
other social justice organizations and children’s groups to join the campaign
through public education, public policy reform, advocacy programs and
organizing.
FEMINIST MAJORITY FOUNDATION
Tel: 703-522-2214
Email: femmaj@feminist.org
Members are men and women who believe that women deserve
political, economic and social equality.
Their goal is to win more representation in Congress and state and local
elective government. They are concerned
about women’s rights around the world.
GRAY PANTHERS
Tel: 800-280-5362
Email: info@graypanthers.org
This is an advocacy and educational organization working for
social change by addressing issues such as national health care, job social
security, housing, sustainable environment, education and peace. Local chapters organize groups of young and
older people to work together addressing Gray Panther issues.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL
Tel: 229-924-6935
Email: publicinfo@hfhi.org
Volunteers build affordable houses for low-income people
worldwide that are sold at no profit and no interest charged on the
mortgage. Volunteers can work in local
programs, in Global Village trips, through campus and youth programs or VISTA
(see below). There are programs for
women to learn construction skills and the “Green Team” builds environmentally
friendly houses, conserving natural resources.
MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving)
Tel: 800-GET-MADD
Email: Use their
email form on their web site
This organization looks for effective solutions to the drunk
driving and underage drinking problems and to support those who have already
experienced the pain resulting from these crimes. It is not a crusade
against alcohol consumption. Its
programs are designed to raise public consciousness about drinking and driving
and to insure that life-saving laws are enforced.
MEALS ON WHEELS ASSOCIATION OF
AMERICA
Tel: 800-677-1116
Email: Use their email form on their web site
Mission is to combat the growing problem of hunger and malnutrition among the elderly and to advance knowledge about nutrition and aging. Volunteers work through local agencies and deliver meals to people in need. Often elderly homebound people cannot be served, not because of lack of food, but because there are not enough volunteers to deliver the food.
NATIONAL ALLIANCE TO END
HOMELESSNESS
Tel: 202-638-1526, Email: naeh@naeh.org
This organization advocates for policy and legislation that
will serve homeless people. You can
support plans that will create affordable housing by contacting local, state
and federal officials. You can ask
homeless service agencies what they need in goods and services and tell your
friends and neighbors. Volunteers can
work at a shelter teaching, training, visiting, or preparing people for
employment.
Also see “Volunteers of America” which advocates for the
homeless, listed below in this section and “Homeless Veterans”, listed under War, Crisis and Humanitarian Aid.
NATIONAL COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Tel: 303-839-1852, Fax: 303-831-9251
NCADV is dedicated to the empowerment of battered women and
their children. It seeks to eliminate both personal and societal violence
against all women and children. Its work includes support for safe home and
shelter programs, public education and technical assistance, policy development
and innovative legislation. People who
would like to volunteer at a shelter should contact the State Coalition Office
in their state. The phone numbers are
listed on their web site.
OWL-NATIONAL OLDER WOMEN’S LEAGUE
Tel: 800-825-3695
This is a grassroots network of chapters of women dedicated to
winning economic, political and social equity for midlife and older women. Members undertake national public education
and advocacy campaigns. Issues include women and social security, health care,
retirement income, care giving, housing, domestic violence, equal pay, age
discrimination and affordable housing.
SALVATION ARMY
Tel: 703-684-5500
The Salvation Army serves people in need of all ages, races, creeds and backgrounds. All chapters do not provide the same services. They may include help for homeless, vocational training, shelter and meals, tutoring and recreation for children, GED preparation, counseling and case management. Volunteers have many choices.
SCORE ASSOCIATION (SERVICE CORPS OF
RETIRED EXECUTIVES)
Tel: 800-634-0245
SCORE is a resource partner with the Small Business Administration (SBA). Working and retired executives and business owners donate their time and expertise as volunteer business counselors and provide confidential counseling and mentoring free of charge. Volunteers share their knowledge and advise about business start-ups, growing businesses and struggling businesses.
SENIOR CORPS
Corporation for National Service
Tel: 202-606-5000
Email: webmaster@cns.gov
Senior Corps offers opportunities for older Americans to
volunteer through their three main programs: Foster Grandparents
by offering emotional support to child victims of abuse and neglect, RSVP
by participating in various community services and Senior Companion
Program by helping frail, older people and adults with terminal
illness.
TRAVELERS AID INTERNATIONAL
Tel: 202-546-1127
This is an association of Travelers Aid programs. The member agencies serve individuals and families
in crisis due to homelessness, mobility problems or other disruptive
circumstances. Volunteers assist
stranded persons at airports, train or bus stations, help operate shelters,
provide reassurance, helpful information or referral to essential services.
VISTA
Corporation for National Service
Tel: 202-606-5000,
Email: vista@americorps.org
http://www.americacorps.org/vista
This is a government sponsored program. Mission is to bring communities and
individuals out of poverty. VISTA
members serve in hundreds of public agencies throughout the country, working to
fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, increase housing
opportunities or bridge the digital divide.
Also see
“Americorps” listing in this section for student benefits.
VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA
Tel: 800-899-0089
Email: voa@voa.org
This organization is involved in many issues including
children and youth, corrections, developmentally disabled, elderly, emergency
services, families, health care, homeless, housing services, substance
abuse. Volunteers deliver meals to the
elderly in their homes, read mail to residents of nursing homes, help at-risk
youth and abused and neglected children and engage in many other services.
WOMEN IN COMMUNITY SERVICE
Tel: 800-442-9427
Email: wicnatl@wics.org
Goal is to reduce the number of individuals in poverty by
promoting self-reliance and economic independence. Volunteers and staff help low income individuals by providing
support services, mentoring and workforce preparation programs nationwide. Volunteers serve as fund developers, mentors,
office assistants, public relations coordinators, resource developers.
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There are many organizations focused on environmental issues
but not all use volunteers. Listed
below are some opportunities for participation in field or laboratory work,
office and administrative jobs and other forms of service.
EARTH TEAM
Natural Resources Conservation Service
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
Tel: 888-LANDCARE
http://www.nhq.nrcs.usda.gov/CCS/vol
The Earth Team is dedicated to preserving our natural resources and wildlife habitats. There are more than 3,000 locations across the country. Volunteers take photographs, write articles, speak to community groups, produce artwork, help with computer data entry, conservation information and education.
EARTHWATCH INSTITUTE
Tel: 800-776-0188
Email:
info@earthwatch.org
Promotes sustainable conservation of our natural resources
and cultural heritage by creating partnerships between scientists, educators
and the general public. Earthwatch puts people in the field where they can
assist scientists. Offers fellowships
to teachers and students for field projects are all over the world. Volunteers may join the research teams but
share the costs of the expeditions.
FOREST SERVICE
Department of Agriculture
Washington, D.C.
20240
Tel: 202-205-8333
http://www.fs.fed.us/people/programs/volunteer
Volunteers maintain and host campgrounds, plant trees and seed
damaged areas, build and repair fences, nesting boxes and other structures,
restore damaged stream banks and burnt areas, build barrier free
campsites. They also present
environmental education programs, take photographs, work on computers. Volunteers may wish to live on a national
forest site. College students may get
college credit.
THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED
STATES
Tel: Find regional
phone numbers on their web site.
This is the nation’s largest animal protection
organization. It promotes the humane
treatment of animals and compassion for all creatures. It also seeks protection for the earth and
its environment. Programs include
wildlife and habitat protection, farm animals and bioethics, companion animals
and animal research. Their Humane
Activist newsletter alerts members when their help is needed and provides
advice on what action to take.
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Department of the Interior
Tel: 800-344-WILD
http://refuges.fws.gov/general/volunteers
There are 550 refuges and wetland management districts. Volunteers work side-by-side with Service
employees to conserve and restore fish, wildlife, plants and habitats. Volunteers conduct fish and wildlife
population surveys, lead tours, assist in laboratory research and in habitat
modification projects. They also
perform clerical and administrative duties.
(PETA) PEOPLE FOR THE ETHICAL TREATMENT OF ANIMALS
Tel: 757-622-PETA
PETA is dedicated to protecting the rights of all
animals. It works through public
education, cruelty investigations, research, animal rescue, legislation,
special events, celebrity involvement and direct action. Volunteers work in their own town in PETA’s
Community Animal Projects.
RAINFOREST ACTION NETWORK
Tel: 415-398-4404
Email: rainforest@ran.org
This organization works to protect the Earth’s rainforests
and support the rights of its inhabitants through education, grassroots
organizing and non-violent direct action.
It works in alliance with environmental and human rights groups around
the world. Members write letters,
distribute information, contact decision-makers, volunteer or intern in
offices.
SIERRA CLUB
Tel: 415-977-5500
Email: information@sierraclub.org
Sierra Club urges protection of the environment. Issues include clean water, global warming,
wildlands, commercial logging, human rights, global population, responsible
trade, energy. Community outreach
programs provide low-income, inner city youth with trips to wilderness
areas. From backpacking trips to
neighborhood cleanups to naturalist-led hikes, volunteers introduce all people
to the natural world.
VOLUNTEERS-IN-PARKS
National Park Service
Department of the Interior
Tel: 202-208-3100
The mission of the Volunteers-in-Parks Program is to provide a vehicle through which the National Park Service can accept and utilize voluntary help from the public. Each year more than 120,000 volunteers serve in the U.S. national parks in a large variety of jobs. Their assistance to paid staff helps preserve and protect America’ natural and cultural heritage for future generations.
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AMERICAN RED CROSS
If you are interested in community volunteering or being
trained for disaster services, inquiries should be made through their local
agencies. Go to their web site and
enter your zip code in the box where it says “Find Your Local Red Cross. You
will then see the address, phone number, fax, email and web site address.
The American Red Cross provides Armed Forces emergency
services, biomedical services, community services, disaster services, health
and safety services, international services, nursing services and youth
involvement. Red Cross disaster relief
focuses on meeting people’s immediate emergency disaster-caused needs by
providing shelter, food, health and mental health services and providing blood
to victims. There are a variety of opportunities for volunteers including
serving on a disaster action team. Volunteers can work in the local community
serving during an emergency or in preparing for potential disaster by doing the
many social service jobs that are necessary all the time.
The Red Cross also works with the Veterans Administration
providing volunteers for support services in VA medical centers with physical
rehabilitation, social work, general ward, nursing, library and
administration. (Also see Department of Veterans Affairs below).
The American Red Cross has continuing need for community
volunteers to support such crucial programs as blood mobile worker, first aid
team, homeless shelter, youth programs, HIV/AIDS mentor, health and safety
instructor, lifeguard instructor, elderly escort, friendly visitor to homebound
seniors or working as an office volunteer or board member. Blood donations are a vital contribution.
NATIONAL RAPID RESPONSE CORPS is
an AmeriCorps program sponsored by the American Red Cross.
Its mission is to provide vital emergency assistance to victims and
communities affected by disaster and to increase preparedness in the areas of
greatest need before disasters strike by recruiting, training and supporting
young adults in Red Cross direct service activities. Candidates must be at least 18, be available full time, be able
to serve for 10 months, be able to mobilize for disaster assignments for up to
21 days at a time with little advance notice, have at least one year of prior
national or local volunteer experience.
They receive a living allowance, health insurance, education awards and
other benefits.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA
Tel: 212-807-8400
Email: aimember@aiusa.org
This is an independent worldwide movement working to defend
human rights. Volunteers are responsible
for important tasks, including distribution of reports to the media, gathering
information for reports, assisting in administrative offices, helping to
maintain country files and keeping local groups abreast of developments
regarding issues with which Amnesty International is involved, many of which
are related to political or armed conflict in which there is abuse of human
rights.
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS VOLUNTARY AFFAIRS
Tel: 202-273-8952
Email: Lists email
addresses on their web site
This is the largest volunteer program in the Federal
government. Volunteers assist veteran
patients by augmenting staff in end of life programs, foster care,
community-based programs, hospital wards, nursing homes and veteran outreach
centers. To sign up, contact the
Department of Veterans Affairs facility nearest you that are listed on their
web site. People who are unable to
volunteer can contribute by donating personal care items that are needed at
in-patient facilities.
HOMELESSNESS AMONG VETERANS
About one-third of the adult homeless population has served the
country in the Armed Services and many more live in cheap hotels or substandard
housing. Contact your local VA
facility to find out if your assistance is needed at drop-in centers where
homeless veterans can clean up, wash their clothes, participate in
rehabilitative activities. Some
communities have Stand Down events which are one to three day events that serve
homeless veterans where food, shelter, clothing, health screenings and referral
services are provided.
DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS
Tel: 859-441-7300
Email: Use their
email form on their web site.
It is not a government agency and is totally supported by the
American public. It services is free to
all veterans and members of their families.
Thousands of disabled vets face real needs that the government programs
can’t meet. Travel benefit cuts left
many disabled vets with no way to get to medical facilities. Volunteers drive them to and from
appointments. VA hospitals, nursing
homes and clinics need volunteers to assist professional staff and to visit
with patients and participate in the ward’s recreational activities.
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH
Tel: 212-290-4700
Email: hrwny@hrw.org
Dedicated to
protecting the human rights of people around the world, its goal is to prevent
discrimination, to uphold political freedom, protect against inhumane conduct
and to bring offenders to justice. They
investigate and expose human rights violations and hold abusers
accountable. This is an independent,
nongovernmental organization composed of lawyers, journalists, academics and
volunteers. Members directly assist
victims of human rights abuse and participate actively in the growing
international human rights movement.
UNICEF
United States Fund for UNICEF
Tel: 800-FOR-KIDS
Email: netmaster@unicef.org
UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children’s rights around the world. It is committed to ensuring special protection for the most disadvantaged children – victims of war, disasters, extreme poverty, all forms of violence and exploitation and those with disabilities. It supports humanitarian interventions to help meet emergency needs of children and women in crisis and provides essential supplies. Volunteers help on fundraising events in their communities, speak to service organizations, contact media and work in local UNICEF offices.
USO – United Services Organization
Tel: 202-610-5700
Their mission is to provide morale, welfare and
recreation-type services to uniformed military personnel. USO programs include airport service
centers, family and children’s programs, inexpensive tours, employment
assistance for military service dischargees, newcomer briefings for troops and
family, USO Canteens.
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Message to nonprofit organizations
If you would like to add, remove or edit a listing, please contact Volunteer Information, PO Box 9910, Marina del Rey, CA 90295. Listings are for nonprofits that have branches throughout the U.S. and which have continuing need for volunteers