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How can I make the most out of quarantine at my age?

Hi! I'm a 16-year old high school student wanting to volunteer and do some good during this difficult time. But, all the virtual opportunities are more offered toward adults rather than teenagers. Therefore, I'm stuck /: #career #volunteer #student #highschool #opportunities

student highschool volunteer opportunities
Thank you comment icon Hi Danieh, This is a great question, I can only imagine how hard this has been for teenagers. If you are not able to find anything online for your age group here are a few suggestions. You could start something on your own like making cards virtually with your friends for patients in the hospital and nursing homes. Another idea maybe walk around your neighborhood and pick up trash with your friends virtually. These are a couple of events I participate in at my job which is fun and it takes my mind off of some of the things going on in the world today. I hope this was helpful to you and thank you for wanting to make a difference. Have a great day! Dawn Turner
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Kara’s Answer

Great question! It's wonderful that you want to put your time and skills to use to help others during this time. If there are no opportunities posted for someone your age online, it's a great opportunity to harness the 'entrepreneurial spirit' and create your own opportunity! I don't know what your specific passions/interests are, but this could be a great time to tackle a project, create an app or a newsletter, start a social media movement for good, etc.

One example: a high-school student from Massachusetts, in the US, created a virtual conference for middle school girls to learn about how to overcome sexism before they encounter it in their careers. The conference is happening May 23rd, and you can find out more here: https://projectathena2020.weebly.com/

If there's something that you're passionate about and is the way in which you'd want to help people, now's the time :)
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Amy’s Answer

There are different organizations out there that provide virtual serve opportunities that you can check out to see which have opportunities that you can plug into. Here are a few examples.

Amy recommends the following next steps:

UN Volunteers - https://www.unv.org/ They connect volunteers with organizations working for sustainable human development
Operation Gratitude - https://www.operationgratitude.com/express-your-thanks-virtual/ Write letters of gratitude and support for First Responders, Emergency Medical Personnel and Military on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic
Million Mask - https://millionmaskchallenge.com/information/ If you're interested in sewing and donating protective face masks
Be My Eyes - https://www.bemyeyes.com/ Be My Eyes is a free app that connects blind and low-vision people with sighted volunteers and company representatives for visual assistance through a live video call.
Love for the Elderly - https://lovefortheelderly.org/ Love for the Elderly seeks to respond to the needs of the elderly by facilitating avenues of creativity, support, learning, empowerment, and intergenerational sharing.
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Paula’s Answer

Hi Danieh - I commend you for asking this question. If I could go back to my 16 year self, I'd tell myself to be less fearful of trying new HARD things, particularly things that had a high probability of failing or that I knew I wouldn't be very good at from the start. You can use this time to learn new skills or to try new things. Let your curiosity guide you, and it's okay if you try and then pivot.

Here are some random ideas, but definitely let your interests guide you... Khan Academy has great free online courses. Hour of Code or Code Academy teaches coding free. There's also a lot of arts that's becoming more accessible online during the shelter in place time period - take a look and see if anything interests you. Since you're 16, you can legally work. You can also offer to "work" remotely in skills you have already that others don't have yet, such as social media marketing for a Small Business that needs help, etc.

I wish you all the best. I hope this helps you.
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Nabeela’s Answer

Hi Danieh - great question! More people should be asking it. :)

Making masks for those on the front lines, for the elderly, for yourself, and for your family is a great way to help out during these uncertain times.
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Matthew’s Answer

Danieh, making the most of quarantine doesn't have to mean doing something everyone else is doing. Find something that you have a passion for, or maybe something you've always wanted to try, and use this time to explore it more. Things like painting, reading, drawing, making a short film, or even studying a subject you're interested in are all ways you can grow during your time indoors.
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Kim’s Answer

I admire your desire to want to help. I think there are multiple ways in which you can do so. Be a listening ear for someone who is struggling. Reach out to your friends, family, youth group network and ask how people are doing and how you can help them. These are uncertain times and I know some are fearful and would love to have someone listen. If you are skilled in sewing, masks are in high demand with many groups. This can be an opportunity to make money or donate to groups such as retirement homes. You might reach out to elementary schools to find out how you can help there. Parents are struggling with at home learning, maybe through online sources you can offer reading hour where you read to their small children to keep them busy. Enjoy the journey and thank you for wanting to serve others.
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Shanna’s Answer

I think it is awesome that your wanting to help. First you need to make sure you are taking the steps to be safe and protecting yourself and your family. Some options below with no exposure to little exposure.

1. Reach out to your community see if anyone needs tutoring for your favorite subject, this can be done online through video conferencing.
2. Mow your neighbors lawn.
3. Take an elderly's dog for a walk

Good Luck!
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Heidi’s Answer

Maybe start in your own neighborhood. People are using our neighborhood board to post and offer to help elders or those not looking to leave home. Maybe you can offer to tend to their yard or run an errand for them. Something as simple as grabbing something from the grocery store (I can't get my sons special milk delivered and have to go to a store) or taking some mail to the post office.

Start small and don't overthink it!

Heidi recommends the following next steps:

Determine if your neighborhood has a community board or app where announcements are posted
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Cori’s Answer

There are so many things you can do! What about taking on a new skill like coding? There's a site called Code Academy that offers free coding classes. Do you have a particular interest or curiosity in something that you've never done before? The Internet is loaded with free opportunities, especially now. What about starting a podcast with some of your friends? Try Podcast.co (not com). It's also a great time to take virtual tours of some things that may not necessarily have been available before. Find a spot on the globe and take a virtual trip!
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Giovanni’s Answer

Danieh, I understand being stuck at home with "nothing to do" at home can be boring. I understand we are all at home; and the good thing is there is always something to do and it doesn't have to be a event only offered to adults. There are many individual and family activities regardless of age. In regards to volunteering you call friends, family, and people you know of from your community of all ages; a call can serve as a motivation booster for our older folks who are stuck at home just like us. Another activity that you can do is letter writing /email, although a little similar to phone calls, if you know that hospitals, clinics, and other organizations that are currently serving at the moment you can send them a email in which it will be shared within the staff (our heroes). One last thing I believe will be a good opportunity would be reaching out to class mates and provide some assistance in the work received from your teacher (if your school has adapted to school from home); with helping your class mates learn more towards a subject they may find difficult you can and potentially will feel good because you're helping your colleague reach the same goal: graduation. Although it takes one step at a time, I believe that will be an excellent idea, Plus you may even receive service hours if required from your school. Thank you and enjoy the mast amount of opportunities you have in helping, learning, and motivating your community.
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Rita’s Answer

You can get as involved as you want. Below are a few things you can check into:

Rita recommends the following next steps:

Check with your high school. They often will pair you up with an organization they already checked into for their students.
Make face masks (if you have this skill) and send to local health care workers in your area.
Write get well cards for sick patients at your local hospital.
Send Thank You notes to first responders in your area.
You could learn a new skill to improve yourself or read a new book on the best sellers list.
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Katya’s Answer

hi, it’s so wonderful that you are interested in investing your time and making an impact on the communities. Depending on which area you are in- I would recommend to connect with your local council members-they usually very proactive in sharing what they have and continue doing for their communities. Some volunteering could be helping elderly in the community with food delivery, food packaging, calling and making sure they all have the basic needs and just connecting with them to put an extra smile on their face.

Another great way, you can connect to the local schools, hospitals, -and extend your volunteering by putting together some motivational and thank you cards. Many people are in the hospitals, some don’t have any family members and maybe a small token such as a card can make hen feel not alone and connected to the outside world.

Do some research , go on Facebook -review or just connect with your local community to see what they are doing and how are they helping or need any support and how you can become part of this amazing path.
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Brenda’s Answer

Depending on what your strong at in school, you could do virtual tutoring lessons for either younger kids or for your peers. I've seen a few people do that and it's helped kids in my neighborhood.
You could also pick up trash outside or help do yard work for other people. If you have something you are very passionate about-like painting or something like that, you could also host online tutorials to teach others.
Maybe call a local library and see if they are doing any virtual book readings that you could volunteer for as well
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Toni’s Answer

Great question...there is so much to do during this time. Try reading a book that interest you, or picking up a new hobby or think about what you want your future to look like and the steps needed to get your there. Try doing a vision board
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Jenna’s Answer

Start by figuring out what you are good at. If you are good at technology, offer to help the elderly or tech- challenged people how to zoom with their loved ones, etc. If you can sew, sew some makes for local hospitals or other health care facilities. Check with the people in your neighborhood or family to see if they know anyone that needs special assistance with tasks that is not being covered by other volunteer groups.
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Gina’s Answer

You don't always have to volunteer to make the most out of this time in quarantine. There are many ways to stay busy, active and learn.
Find something you may have always wanted to try-- a hobby or sport - but never had the time. Maybe a blog on a topic you're into. Or a YouTube channel? Would be fun just exploring the outdoors too.
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Mary’s Answer

Help a neighbor mow the lawn, bring up trash cans or run to the grocery store. You could even work with a local food pantry to start a food drive depending on what their needs are. A student at our High School organized a "parade" for nursing home residents.
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Abigail’s Answer

There are many opportunities out there for teenagers as we go through this difficult time. Here are a few ways to volunteer:

1. Start by checking on your older or immunocompromised relatives or friends. Checking on them could mean a great deal for someone who is self-isolating. If you don't want to call, send a card, picture or a care package of pre-packaged goodies.

2. There are ways to be creative with ways to volunteer within your own home by being mindful of chores around the house and spending quality time with your parents.

3. Become a virtual volunteer reader. https://activategood.org/virtual-volunteer-readers/ Activate Good is partnering with Learning Together to empower future readers! They are looking for volunteers to model read aloud practices by creating videos showcasing you reading a story in a fun, engaging way. Modeling reading helps children learning how to read practice and improve!

Here are several resources:

*All For Good: http://www.allforgood.org/about
*Peers and Students Taking Action: https://wearepasta.org
*Serve.gov: http://www.serve.gov
*VolunTEEN Nation: http://www.volunteennation.org
*Volunteer Family: http://www.volunteerfamily.org
*VolunteerMatch.org: http://www.volunteermatch.org
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