Trying to Find a Good Platform

first thing you need to do is pick one. Then find a foundation that you can volunteer at and then prove yourself to get picked up as an employee.

There are so many types of cancer - so you really need to find the "one" that calls to you.

If you can't have children of your own - fostering and adoption may work for you as well - contact your local child protection services

http://local.yahoo.com/details?id=13600181&stx=child+...

and find out how to get started, what is required, what you need to do, etc. and then make a decision.

Your husband needs to be on board with this as well. So you need to get all your ducks in a row and have the information to make a decision.

Once you find out "how things work" - you might be able to start your own foundation in the future. However, you need facts and information. Don't just "google" them - go directly to the source and have a list of questions - who, what, where, when, why, how much, how long, requirements, etc.

here is a list of charitable organizations. this might help you as well.

http://www.guidestar.org/?gclid=CL6Dm4_e0rQCFU-d4Aodd1QApA

good luck

You can do both. Call the American Cancer Society and ask how you can volenteer.

Start a clothing or school supplies drive for homeless kids. Or call the closest shelter and ask what they need.

My 9 year and I would like to become involved in Birthday Wishesl It is an organization that gives birthday parties to children in shelters, unfortuntately though, there is not a chapter in NJ and we would have to be affiliated through a non-profit organization in order to do so. We have left a few msgs for some, but haven't heard back just yet.

She has been holding a Harvest Festival every fall (vs having a b-day party) for the past 3 yrs. The first benefited our local animal shelter, the next a safe house for abused children and this past Oct she collected 450 lbs of food for a local food pantry.

It is wonderful that there are people such as you and her in this world, I know that I have become a better person because of her. Good luck with your efforts.

Go to some organizations' fundraisers and check them out. See who you feel comfortable with. It is not about finding the "right" platform as much as it is just getting out there and volunteering somewhere. Once you find a group of people you are comfortable with and one that has a need that you can fill, it will be so enjoyable.

http://greatnonprofits.org/nonprofitnews/top-10-volunteer... is a good link to start with.

Don't over-analyze it. Something inside you is telling you to get out there, so the sooner you get out there, the sooner you will be making a difference. You don't have to sign a long-term contract or anything like that so don't think you will get stuck somewhere that isn't a fit.

You should check out CASA. casaforchildren.org

You would receive training take a Saturday or two. And you become a foster child's Court Appointed Special Advocate. You will have one child, you will learn everything about their case. Then you go to be with them with any court appearances or meetings. The social worker in charge of your kid has 100-200 other cases at the same time. You become their adult in the room, the one on their side, the one that helps them with whatever situation is going on, an ear and heart for them to reach out to. It's a big commitment though. You stick with your kid until they age out. So that could be several years. Which is why I can't do it. We're planning on moving out of country in the next couple of years. It's a truly wonderful program. There are a ton of kids out there in foster care who think they have no one for them. You become their one. I hope you find what your looking for. Good luck!

There are so many opportunities in Atlanta! Honestly, it is hard to choose because there are so many worthy causes. I love pebbletossers as a way to find out what volunteer work is out there. They are really geared to finding things that kids and families can be involved in, but there are many opportunities that are great for adults too. Also check out the opportunities around the area for the MLK Jr Day of Service to maybe help you learn about a few without a big commitment

If you are interested in helping homeless children check out the Atlanta Children's Shelter which helps children whose families are homeless. I think this one is amazing.