The Unemployed Life

Stop Wallowing and Start Working–Volunteer Working

You’ve drowned in self-pity and drunk yourself into depression. Now as a victim of the recession it might be time to try doing something new and slightly more productive with  your free time—like helping someone else as a volunteer.

After all, scouring online job boards and e-mailing potential business contacts can’t take up all of your spare time. And with more than 63 million people volunteering in the past year—almost 2 million more than the number who volunteered during the 2007/2008 period—there’s no telling who you’ll meet while helping out, or what that new contact could lead to. All in all, the experience could add a bullet point to your resume, and perhaps lead you to a job. Oh, and your efforts help those in need (besides yourself).

The experience could add a bullet point to your resume.

The trickiest part may be getting started. To help you, we’ve put together a roundup of a few of the many interesting websites and mobile applications devoted to helping people find projects in their local communities and beyond.

All for Good—This open source application makes it easy to find projects in your local area. Just type in your zip code or city and get an aggregated list of ongoing projects from well-known organizations such as the American Red Cross, Sierra Club, Habitat for Humanity, and more. You can also access All for Good through your social networking account and spread the word about the activities you’re participating in.

SnapImpact—SnapImpact is an iPhone application that works by helping potential volunteers find projects they’re interested in, thanks to its “data partners” at All for Good and the HandsOn Network. Not only can users find out about opportunities through the app, but they can also register for them on the spot.

Catalista—Catalista is a mobile application available for users of iPhone, iPod Touch, T-Mobile G1, or MyTouch that not only matches people up with volunteer projects in their area, but also allows users to rate those experiences and share their recommended projects with others in their social network.

VolunteerMatch—VolunteerMatch, like All for Good, makes the process of finding a project you’re interested in easy by letting users search for specific types of projects within their own city. For those who want to help a cause or nonprofit that’s not located in their local area, the site also features a number of “virtual opportunities” that users can take part in from the comfort of their own home, such as volunteering to help create a website or writing grant proposals.

HandsOn Network—Rather than aggregating opportunities from outside sources, the HandsOn Network maintains a listing of 250+ “action centers” in the U.S. (along with 111 international locations) where volunteer projects are continually ongoing. Depending on your area of interest and location, you can sign on for a one-time project or receive training to become a volunteer leader and organize events for the months to come. The projects listed through the HandsOn Network are also aggregated in the All for Good site, as well.

Idealist—Idealist is interactive website that lets users browse through all types of volunteer opportunities and even non-profit jobs listings. Not only that, but the multi-faceted site lets you search through likeminded member profiles and receive daily action alerts with new opportunities. Its listings have been included in All for Good’s aggregated site.

Do Something—Although the site is aimed toward teen volunteers, many of the opportunities listed on DoSomething.org would be fun for people of all ages. If you’re looking for a project that’s youth-oriented—or if you have a son, daughter, niece, or nephew who you’d like to spend time volunteering with—then Do Something is a site with a lot of valuable information.

Volunteer Abroad—For volunteers not content with staying in their own hometown, Volunteer Abroad maintains a listing of international opportunities that are available. Not only can users read detailed descriptions of the programs, but they can download the applications required by many of the organizations through the Volunteer Abroad site, as well.

Tags: philanthropy, The Unemployed Life