Hello Moms. My 16yr old sister is spending the summer with me in Dallas and I am looking for activities to occupy her time. Yes, she's spending way too much time on the Internet and texting on her phone which I don't think is all that healthy. She is willing to do some volunteer work, so if anyone knows of a pet shelter or other organization that accepts young volunteers, please let me know. Thanks in advance!
Look online at the SPCA in McKinney or Frisco Horse Park. I know they both let kids that age volunteer alone.
www.powercrew.org and www.volunteernorthtexas.org are two great websites that will help you find volunteer activities for youth and adults alike. These websites are run by the Volunteer Center of North Texas and will help you find activities in Collin, Dallas, and Tarrant Counties. Sometimes the sites seem out-of-date but they do try to keep on top of things as much as possible. There are always current activities posted. The PowerCrew site is more geared for teens and college-age youth and the other site is geared typically for 18 and up, but will often have positions for 16 year olds. Also, these sites have links to other nonprofit agencies in the area so if you don't see anything you like, you can typically contact the agencies directly and let them know what you're looking to do. For certain activities (like working with children and the elderly) a background check may be required. Hope that helps!
I'm not sure where you're located, but the Famers Branch Manske library has a teen volunteer program. Good luck!
hi there M. !
the dallas zoo use to have a jr. volunteer program and allowed younger than 16 to be apart of the program . my best friend's kids did it for a few summers and they loved it ! good luck !
In the Miss America Organization the titleholders have to do community service work and have a platform. I volunteer my time to MAO and several of the teens and young adults volunteer in different ways.
Hillary Sproul is Miss Teen North Texas and her platform is Get Up, Get Out, Get Involved where she helps teens find an outlet where they can make a difference.
Here is a link to her website with some ideas on where and how to volunteer:
http://www.help-getinvolved.com/GETTING_OUT.php
You daughter can also compete if she likes and find a platform that fits her well and work on it - here is more information on the competition itself if she is interested (I know it's not for everyone - there is talent involved) www.misstexas.org or www.mpfo.com
I hope Hillary's website helps she has a list of websites for different organizations and a list of ways teens can get involved on their own too.
Good Luck!!
Not only pet shelters, but the local hospitals and assisted living centers might have something she could do. Check with the recreations centers, too. How about the local branches of libraries? Wonder if she could read to children who visit there. With her being 16, she might be able to find an actual job that pays. I'm not sure about the age requirements these days.
Most libraries and animal shelters take 16 yr old volunteers. Look either one up in the city pages of your phone book. or type them in a search engine with the city's name...God Bless!
It is hard to find an activity for a sisteen year old to do , they can be hard to read. I know Children's Hospital has a volunnteer program, she might enjoy that. I agree, some of the libraries and rec centers also.
I know of a great girl's camp that is like a week long and my church has wonderful activities free of charge. Let me know if you want more info. :-)
