Top volunteer opportunities in the DMV area perfect for Christian kids and teens

By Kat Styles about 1 year Local
One of the best things you will teach your kids or teens is to help others. With that, they will develop their communication skills and also meet the needs of others. Image: Mieke Campbell|Unsplash

Helping others through volunteer work is a wonderful way to instill those values in young people. It's rewarding to offer your services to those in need, and helping others as a family can be a rewarding experience. 

Taking part in a shared experience may strengthen the bonds between family members.

According to Kids Health, there is a wide range of scopes for volunteer work. Begin with something manageable, like an hour of helping a friend or acquaintance.

You may volunteer once a month at a local animal shelter or homeless shelter. Over the holidays, some families have traditionally filled gift baskets for seniors through one of their favorite DMV area-based nonprofits.

These are the top volunteer opportunities in the DMV area that are perfect for Christian kids and teens:

Capital Area Food Bank

Image: Capital Area Food Bank

The Capital Area Food Bank collaborates with over 400 local D.C.-area charities to end hunger. They feed about half a million people in the local area yearly, translating to over 50 million meals.

Young people above 12 are welcome to assist with food distribution. Volunteer opportunities for families with young children are available in a separate location away from the warehouse, where the youngsters can help with more straightforward activities like bagging and boxing items.

Alice Ferguson Foundation

Image: Alice Ferguson Foundation

The Alice Ferguson Foundation facilitates thousands of annual outdoor experiences, such as milking a cow or cleaning a river bank, to bring people closer to nature. Located in Maryland, this is an excellent spot for school groups to go hiking and sightseeing along the Potomac River. The foundation organizes regular watershed cleanups that could be the perfect volunteering opportunity for your kids or teens.

Greater DC Diaper Bank

Image: Greater DC Diaper Banks

Volunteers of all ages are needed at the Silver Spring and D.C.-based nonprofit that distributes diapers and other necessities to low-income families. According to KidFriendly DC, if your younger ones are still too young to assist, they can play in a cozy corner while you get things done.

National Mall and Memorial Parks

Image: National Mall and Memorial Parks|National Park Service

Junior Ranger programs are available for kids on the National Mall and in the Memorial Parks. There are occasionally specialized kid-friendly events. In addition, they can become citizen scientists and aid the National Park Service in commemorating Earth Day's golden jubilee.

Children’s National Medical Center

Image: Pacific Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium

The hospital needs more than just people with good bedside manners. Thus, most volunteer work is limited to those above 18, except for the Ambassador Program, which accepts participants as young as 15. 

According to Tiny Beans, donations to Dr. Bear's Closet help to ensure that the store always has essentials like action figures, Legos, novels, crayons, stuffed animals, iPads, and so on.

Animal Welfare League of Alexandria

Image: Animal League of Alexandria

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria stresses the significance of teaching young children early on to care about and respect animals. 

As stated on its website, humane education programs in the community and at the shelter provide many opportunities to interact with and learn from Alexandria's youngest animal lovers.

We Are Family DC

Image: We Are Family DC

We Are Family DC reaches out to seniors who live alone to provide them with much-needed assistance, such as food, housekeeping, transportation, and/or social interaction.

Per Tiny Beans, seeing a child can put a smile on the face of someone who might not otherwise have the opportunity to interact with a future president, doctor, social worker, or teacher. Children who spend time with older adults are enriched by the stories they hear, the games they play, and the attention they receive from Grammie and Pop-Pop.

Martha’s Table

Image: Martha’s Table

Martha's Table has helped build resilient children, families, and communities for the past 41 years by promoting equitable access to high-quality education, health and wellness services, and family resources.

Volunteers at Martha's Table must be at least 12 years old. Each group of three younger volunteers (12-14 years old) must be accompanied by an adult. Some positions require volunteers to be at least 15 years old.

Lucky Dog Animal Rescue

Image: Lucky Dog Animal Rescue

The mission of Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, a nonprofit run entirely by volunteers, is to save the lives of homeless, neglected, and abandoned animals who would otherwise be euthanized. 

Lucky Dog needs your help if you're under 18 and care deeply about animal rescue and welfare. Earning community service hours and gaining insight into rescue realities are possible through their Youth Program.

A Wider Circle

Image: A Wider Circle

Volunteers of all ages are needed to help store and arrange items for the Neighbor-to-Neighbor program at the Center for Community Service in Silver Spring, Maryland. 

Get a group of friends or your family and do this. Volunteers under the age of 14 should ideally work with an adult supervisor.

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@ Kat Styles

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