United Way of Greater St. Louis’ free Summer Volunteer Guide for Youth will be online by the end of April. This valuable online guide is full of volunteer possibilities this summer at reputable non-profit agencies throughout the St. Louis region for youth and young adults ages 8-19.
Opportunities are now available online at www.unitedwaystlcares.org.
“This Guide is extremely popular and a helpful resource for parents to find meaningful volunteer opportunities for their children,” said Rick Skinner, vice president of United Way’s Volunteer Center. “It’s a great way to have teens and younger kids get connected, have a lasting impact and help build a healthier community.”
Each opportunity lists a description of the project, the hours needed and the age requirement of the volunteer.
Skinner added that summer is not the only time to volunteer, “Agencies need volunteer support year-round and that all ages can join United Way’s St. Louis Cares volunteer program for short-term volunteer opportunities.”
Volunteering is not only a way to give back to the community for young adults; it also helps build leadership skills to help them in the future. United Way’s Volunteer Center is one of the oldest in the nation.
According to Youth Service America, youth who volunteer are:
• more likely to do well in school,
graduate, vote, be philanthropic
• less likely to abuse drugs, alcohol,
cigarettes, or engage in destructive
behavior
• are more likely to give to charitable
organizations as adults
And those youth who volunteer say the benefits include:
• learning to understand people who are
different from them
• developing leadership skills
• becoming more patient
• it makes them feel good
• it makes a difference
VolunteenNation (formerly St. Louis Volunteen) is partnering with United Way of Greater St. Louis on this initiative to help youth volunteer during the summer months and throughout the year.
United Way funds more than 170 health and human service agencies located throughout a 16-county area in Missouri and Illinois. One in three people in our community receive services that strengthen families, help the elderly, keep children healthy and safe, and build stronger neighborhoods.
For more information, contact 314-421-0700 or visit www.stl.unitedway.org.