Volunteering is nothing new to this generation of service-minded baby boomers. With nearly one-third of all boomers — 25.8 million people — volunteering for a formal organization in 2005, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, today’s retirees are filling their days doing work for the greater good. Looking for a way to give back? Here are a few ideas on where you might find your niche, whether it’s assisting today’s youth, helping homebound seniors or greening the world through conservation efforts.
Experience Corps
www.experiencecorps.com, 202-478-6190
Mission To create powerful opportunities for older adults to meet society’s greatest needs, specifically by engaging older adults as tutors and mentors to produce outstanding literacy results for children in kindergarten through third grade.
Average age of volunteers 65 years old.
Volunteer tasks Volunteers work in public schools tutoring and mentoring, providing homework help and giving attention to those children most in need. In addition, members work with teachers, school leaders and youth workers to develop projects, such as parent involvement campaigns, health awareness activities and library book drives. Experience Corps members often assume leadership roles by acting as team leaders and champions for local public education needs.
Average commitment 10–12 hours per week.
Newborns in Need
www.newbornsinneed.org, 877-231-5097
Mission Newborns in Need provides care necessities to premature, ill or impoverished newborns to give them a safe, healthy start in life.
Average age of volunteers 45 to 50 years old.
Volunteer tasks Volunteers work in their communities to make goods or organize donations of new and used articles to newborns in need. Efforts provide baby necessities to families that cannot afford them, complete layettes and memorial items for babies that have passed away, and provide premature baby support for families dealing with the stressors that can accompany an early arrival.
Average commitment Determined by volunteer.
The Nature Conservancy
www.tnc.org, 800-628-6860
Mission The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters.
Average age of volunteers 40 to 65 years old.
Volunteer tasks Depending on volunteer interest, service workers might collect seed, clear brush to encourage growth of native and rare plants, take photographs to document restorations, maintain trails and post signs, and even participate in prescribed fires with proper training. They may be trained to help gauge the health of the land and water and the species that live there. Special experience like carpentry, mechanics and business are helpful. Docent work is available in some states.
