Until recently, I taught GED courses at a local community college for a few years. Our small campus also housed ESL courses, from beginning to advanced. I can tell you, there is no more rewarding community to teach! It is incredibly heartwarming work, and the recipients are so gracious and appreciative. I often found myself marveling at their sense of community, which always felt to me so much warmer and expressive than anything I've known here in this country. They were always so eager to celebrate -the beginning of the school year, the end of the school year, Thanksgiving and other holidays, another student's pregnancy, etc. They brought food like you cannot imagine, all home cooked and delicious, broke into song -I consider it a great gift in my life that I was able to share in their joy for a few years, and I miss them!

I have volunteered at our local animal shelter for about five years now, walking dogs once a week. It isn't easy work. We always have a lot of very large, unruly dogs and our shelter has recently annexed more territory, which means my partner and I now often have thirty dogs to walk between the two of us. So it's exhausting, and I always come home filthy. But I wouldn't give it up. Many of the dogs are there for months and months (some more than a year), so I really get to know them, and always look forward to seeing them each week.

Best of luck to you!

Oh, my yes. I'm not committed, however, to one organization and prefer to do projects with many. That way it doesn't become rote and I don't get bored. And a lot has to do with cooking for that is a love. But most organizations can always use volunteers for something but they don't come to you -- you have to come to them.

I volunteered at my kids schools for years doing a variety of things (led reading groups, sorted homework, ran math centers, helped an ESL student with vocabulary). These days I am door knocking for a state wide ballot initiative that would get 62,000 people healthcare coverage while saving the state money.

I've done volunteer work in the past, even using vacation time to volunteer at one immediate-need "event". (Just as an aside, if you hear of any more school shootings, the survivors DO NOT NEED 50+ American Girl Dolls. They need love and care, but the material deluge that was dropped down on Newtown was neigh-impossible to deal with, well-meaning as it all was.)

I spent an evening manning phones, but most of the days I was there I was sorting. No idea where most things ended up. There were bins for specific families if so addressed, but some of those, understandably, didn't seem to be picked up.

I'm not doing any currently but as soon as I can square away my old home and just be living in one spot, I'm going to be looking for nearby places I can do useful volunteering at.

I have had quite a few volunteering jobs since retirement. I love to work. My main job is doing genealogy research for people at our county historical society. I do many other things there, too. I volunteer at the Red Cross blood drives each time they come to town. I am active on several committees at church. Until recently I served lunch one day a week at a school in town. I work at many different community events in town. My name seems to be on every list :) I was asked to be a CASA volunteer but have not made that commitment yet. It is very worthwhile.

After I retired, I cared for my mom in our home until she passed at 92 and then we had a woman living in our home who needed care of another kind for 3 years. Each was rewarding in its own way, but exhausting as I couldn't ever decide "not to show up for work". My DH and I joined a service organization that raises money and does service projects to help people in the community. We have met and work with so many wonderful, caring people.

I think performing any sort of service in aid of others is uplifting and feeds your spirit while also making someone else's life better than it was before. The activities you describe sound absolutely worth your time and energy. Sending you kind thoughts and well wishes for whatever you choose.

I retired a little over a year ago and since then have been volunteering a lot at our botanical garden. I had volunteered some before I retired, and it had always been in my plans to do more upon retirement, so I have. DH also volunteers with a group of mostly men there too, who set up, maintain, and take down a huge Christmas light display every year. They work 4 mornings each week and some other days and nights as needed during the open season. It’s fun, and I participate too. I also do other volunteer activities throughout the year there.

Recently I took the safety and info training to be an usher at our civic center, which encompases ballet, theater, symphony, children’s theater, and some other performances during the year. Although we have season tickets to a couple of these, DH doesn’t care for the ballet or symphony all that much, so I will volunteer for those, and as a bonus will get to watch most of those performances. Plus, I volunteered to help the handicapped with their needs and seating, and be a runner (doing the odd things as needed sorting out ticket problems for example) so it will be good. Several friends are doing this, so I’m giving it a try.

Jo, the two efforts you are thinking about sound great for you. I am not fluent in a foreign language, but admire those who can help others learn Another language. And CASA would be wonderful. A friend at our church was soliciting volunteers for CASA several years ago when it was fairly new here. She was a social worker. I couldn’t do it at the time because I was traveling a lot with work. But it sounded interesting and like such a very worthwhile way to expend one’s energies and volunteer time.

I volunteered for several periods of my life, yes. I looked at it as "I have to"..one has to, when one moves around a lot. Gives continuity..and yes, I like being useful

Once, was via a local hospital-I was a translator for an oupatient clinic there

The more recent one-was helping with several projects in family services..they were awfully behind with all the data that should be computerized(no wonder..that thing was endless)..and filing..and of course they used me as a translator too.

At certain point I stopped because became much harder..and I don't like doing things half-way. Either I can commit, the best way possible, or I can't.

What I'd do if I still could?

I don't know. probably would involve people. As it always did.

Maybe helping also in a daycare if a teacher is sick. Teachers get sick a lot..:) as do kids.

Or -libraries can be very rewarding. I never tried it though..:) But I love books. And you're still connected to people

When I was much younger..could involve feeding and cleaning in a zoo:) That was one of my roles in school..taking care of "animal corner" there, for several years. Now, I don't know.

If I had in me real real energy..and strength..I think now: I could make a decent foster parent. Very challenging of course..

But it means I could be working full time already.

I could see myself organizing stuff..thrift store? Goodwill, or something similar? Helping people in their homes? Theoretically speaking.

I know that when I was uncertain in what my whereabouts would be-since we were on the move a lot-I tried not to involve myself with people in a very direct way. More temporary connection-yes. Not something where they get attached and then you leave..it can be very hard on them.

if one stays put, or at least thinks so-it obviously stops to be a big part of the equation.

I wish you best luck with your decision. Volunteering can be very rewarding ..very useful. To all sides involved.

I hope they provide very extensive training in this CASA. Where I'm from, not only you need to be a professional to gather and present info for a judge, you have to be a specially trained professional..appointed officer and all. I think a year of training on top of your degree/s and after certain working experience of X years..don't remember already how many before one can start to train being such officer, but can ask.

Being a stable person in a child's life is one thing. dealing with courts..sounds very daunting.

Emotional roler coaster doesn't even begin to describe something like this

Every advocating-be ready you resist something. Sometimes a system itself.

I get together with a great group of ladies and crochet baby blankets for preemies. Unfortunately I never see the baby that gets it but I know they are needed at the local hospital. Some are used for burial blankets. Larger afghans go to the homeless. I get a lot of satisfaction volunteering and especially enjoy the company of others with the same goals.

Are you interested in biking, walking, or healthy food access? Is there a community coalition or board you can join that focuses on these where you live now. Something like a bike-ped committee, trails and greenways, or food policy council? We have excellent community volunteers on our coalition.

My mom tutored an adult for literacy, almost all involved were ESL. She was an English major too, and former librarian and English teacher. It worked out really well for her.

I volunteer, but on something totally different, the Jr. Garden Club at a local elem. school, with other members from my local adult garden club. Several are retired school teachers. I also volunteer for the local Democratic Party, but haven't been able to do much lately as we have been beset by family troubles which are taking up a lot of time, along with wrapping up wedding thank yous and picking up the pieces of our lives that we kind of neglected when it was all weddings all the time. I also volunteer sporadically at the local theater when they do special children's events, which is once a year. There's a team of us that has been putting them on for several years now, we alternate themes each year so at this point it doesn't take much effort, we have it down to a system.

Junior Leage of Philadelphia ‘s focus is healthy eating for disadvantaged populations. Lots of ways to help and great camaraderie. Not your grandma’s JL. I don’t know the JL in Philadelphia personally,though. But all the chapters I have been in have been very inclusive.

My DD works in the social services field, she worked as a victims advocate in court-similar to CASA but for adults. She said it is a LOT of work and is emotionally draining. For CASA you go through a lot of training and you must be psychologically evaluated. It's a tough position, but if someone has the fortitude to do it, I say it's very needed!

I work full time but I also do a lot of volunteering. I am an active phone banker for Planned Parenthood and I also do a lot of phone banking for local candidates and my political party. I also volunteer to staff booths at events for PP.

When I had more mobility I did a lot of trash clean up on streams with local event teams. There's an organization called SOLVE that I work with. When my kids were young I volunteered as a parent chaperone on field trips. I can't tell you how many vacation days I took going to events with the kids. It was worth it tho!

Because of my physical and time limitations I don't do as much as I want to do. When I retire I do plan to be active with our local watershed councils.

I looked at volunteering in my community last year. The number of hoops that one has to go through to volunteer at anything, including walking a dog at the SPCA, turned me completely off. Or perhaps I'm just not committed enough.

blfenton, my experience volunteering with the Democratic Party here in the US and with a nonpartisan poltical campaign is that there are zero hoops to jump through. You can find out when they are phone banking or door knocking and go in, get trained (10-15 minute spiel on what to say, what not to say, etc) and start immediately. And no commitment—they’ll just. Keep contacting yout o come back but you do not have to promise anything to try it out. So if you are poltically inclined, that might be an option.

At my kids’ schools, here you do have to go to one volunteer training session (other places there was nothing). If you work with kids alone you likely would have to submit to a background check, but if you are always in the same room as a teacher, I haven’t had to do a check anywhere. So that might be an option. I know my brother helped at a disadvantaged school rather than his kids’ school that had a surfeit of volunteers and at one school I volunteered with a fifth grade teacher even though my kid was in kindergarten. So schools might be another low training option, though they would likely want a commitment for regular help for at least a semester.

I'd like to find more volunteer opportinties. I currently volunteer at my library one afternoon a week and also serve on the Board of Trustees. I love the library and I know what I do makes a difference but it serves a wealthy population, so I don't feel like I'm doing much to help those in need.

My friend is a CASA volunteer and has done that for a number of years.I am not sure I would have the self-assurance to do it. It's a big commitment.

If you speak Spanish, Community Volunteers in Medicine (CVIM) would love to have you.

I volunteered for many years as a crisis intervention counselor at our local Domestic Violence and Rape Relief agency. When I got burned out on going out in the middle of the night to meet survivors, I went on to do trainings for new volunteers in that and similar agencies in nearby communities. I also served on the Board of directors, but my passion was direct services. After my husband died suddenly and unexpectedly, I had no emotional energy for anyone else and stopped doing it. After I recovered, I volunteered for a pro-bono legal clinic in my area for a few years. I thought about becoming a CASA volunteer when I retired, but life had other plans.

I've done different things for our local food bank and I volunteered at our town's performing arts center. Since my grandson was born, I volunteer my time as his babysitter, lol and now for the school he attends. My mobility and energy, as well as time constraints, limit what I do; now I just send money to help where I can.

I truly admire those who work at animal shelters, that is my heart but emotionally I can't do it.

I do cook for our local soup kitchen, my church does lunch there every Sunday for certain months and this month is one. I got up at 6 to put on green beans for 100 ( in 2 roasters ) and I'll take them over late morning. Last week was peach cobbler.

I volunteer for the organization that I adopted my rescue dogs from. I am part of a transport team that brings them mostly from the western and southern states. I'm doing one today!

ETA to add a pic of the beautiful girl I just transported this evening - Bella! The man with her is one of the transporters' husband.

After leaving the Free Library of Philadelphia I volunteered at our local library, school library and was a Companion Reader for children who needed one on one assistance with developing reading skills. I've always felt that a love of reading is one of the basic steps to success in future endeavors.

My DIL runs a dog rescue and re-homing center in Philly and is always in need volunteers to help walk the dogs or foster them for long weekends. There are many of these centers throughout the Delaware Valley area.

I I like your suggestions and think it would be infinitely rewarding and would certainly keep your brain sharp!

Maire

I have volunteered at the nearest city's art community center for a decade, and now also volunteer for the art association I joined a couple years ago. Both non-profits. I was setting it up to do the web work for a food/job assistance place, but they had their building yanked from beneath them (they were renting and it was sold) so they are looking for a new home. I'd love to volunteer for another nearby city's refugee center, but the hours/days they require aren't something I can do. I love animals, but I couldn't handle the sadness and helplessness of volunteering at an animal shelter, so I adopt from and donate there. I'd also love to find a local volunteer gardening project, but my back can't take it anymore. :p

An old bf also volunteers at one of the suburban dog rescue/shelters-- their needs for volunteers is always great.

Another suggestion that would require little training and that would work around any schedule is reading for the blind. There are radio programs that broadcast readings of books, periodicals and newspapers. I did this many years ago in Lancaster-- but I know a number of broadcasts originate in Philadelphia.

I am on the boards of the Peirce College Alumni Association and the Penn-Jersey District of the American Rose Society. I also give talks on rose growing to various rose societies in the area and occasionally at garden clubs. I volunteer at events for Black Girls Code. I coordinate donations and volunteers at our office for Wreaths Across America. When I retire, I plan to volunteer at the local "soup kitchen", Lunch Break (it is so much more, but started out with serving meals), the food bank, and maybe JBJ Soul Kitchen.

Mostly programs or special events (to raise money, etc.) in my community. Some through my church as they do community work (not just church membership). One of the first places I volunteered was for a local shelter for abused/neglected/abandoned children. I truly enjoyed it but it became a problem for me because I could not stop thinking about some of the children and hated not knowing what happened to them. Also, sometimes the system STINKS and I was really sad for the kids. Volunteering can be one of the most rewarding things to do. Also, I think it is something everyone should do - give something back.

I volunteer once a week to our local pantry. We pack and distribute food to the clients. It's like a drive-thru, clients stay in their cars, volunteers have carts and load the veggies, fruits, dairy, meat, bread, frozen goods, cakes and pastries, occasional toiletries and diapers (if requested). This is run by Catholic church, so most of the volunteers are Catholics who are retirees, though we have a group of young men and women who are Mormons and doing their mission in our town for few months at a time. I used to deliver foods to the senior citizens' apartments, also from the pantry but switched to "in-house" last year. I like volunteering here, knowing we help in own little way. And someone cooks brunch for us! We always joke that we work for the good meal we get :)

My first volunteer experience was campaigning for Eugene McCarthy in 1968 followed by SPCA, French tutoring, ESL, reading at 1st-6th grade level, and now 4th and 5th grade math. I’m loving those bright shining faces!

My mom taught ESL classes for years. She loved it, and they loved her!

I volunteered at a crisis center for maybe 10 years. Then I worked there. It burned me out.

I am trying to find out how to become a health care navigator. Pribably too late for this year. I am trying to find things my spouse and I can do together. He likes numbers! Also tax help for seniors.

Good thread.

My neighbors all volunteer to some degree, and I always feel embarrassed when they question me about "what do you DO all day?". But I'm shy and a little backward so stepping out and jumping into situations are hard for me. Always afraid I'll do it wrong or be criticized. I do pet sitting for the neighbors including for one with ponies. I agree volunteering at the local Humane Society or dog shelter would be difficult for me too. I tear up sometimes just walking inside.

I wish my neighbors had ponies I could pet-sit. I just do cats right now.

I retired 10 years ago and now I mostly volunteer at my church. I maintain the website, do graphics (banners, bulletins, etc.), paint cabinets, shop and prep food for big parish events, etc. I could work full-time there if I chose. Sometimes it's solitary work, sometimes with a big group. I can pick and choose.

I've been a grief volunteer for hospice, done intake for a spay-a-thon at the Humane Society. If I weren't such a total soft-touch with animals, I'd volunteer as a cat cuddler.

Interesting and timely topic. I don't volunteer but am thinking about what I'm going to do when I retire which is likely to happen in early 2019. I would like to volunteer to do something meaningful which I think for me is helping people who are in need - elderly, disadvantaged, needing help with life skills, etc. This thread got me looking online and I found some very interesting opportunities which was encouraging. I haven't committed to any volunteer work in a long time so wasn't sure what I'd find.

I was a CASA for one year about 15 years ago. Unfortunately, I was totally disillusioned with the entire system. I have volunteered with terminally ill children and their families and nothing was more difficult or frustrating than being a CASA. I know each county is different so I would not discourage anyone from being a CASA. But even if the system were perfect, it can be a heartbreaking job...but a job that must be done. As I said, I only last one year.

I used to think everyone cooked, that it was a skill most had, but I know better, still I'm surprised more here aren't cooking as a volunteer thing.

*here was my long rant which I felt was redundant, in this interesting thread, so I deleted it

put shortly, it stated that "What do you DO all day?"is a poor-phrased question and I never met anyone who wouldn't feel uneasy with it

(I'm pretty pleased right now with my ability to edit my own posts lol)