We're all about bettering ourselves in the new year, but here is something you should try that will not just help you, but the world around you. Volunteering provides a numerous amount of personal benefits, from learning new skills to expanding your social network. Interested in a career change? Volunteering allows you to explore your options without having to sacrifice your current position. In addition to the personal satisfaction you get from donating your time, you're actually making the world a better place by helping your community. There are countless ways you can help out, with opportunities available to suit anyone's interests. Sites like VolunteerMatch and Catchafire match your skills and passions with nonprofits looking for help, but here are a few worthy causes to get you started.
Do you like building things and working with your hands? Grab some buddies and help the underprivileged build their own houses.
Ever think about mentoring? This program allows you to make a huge impact by providing guidance to a young person's life.
It's more than just a thrift store. This diverse organization needs volunteers that can lend their job skills by helping individuals who are looking for work get their resumes together and even conduct mock interviews.
Are you an animal lover? Do you like tactical operations? In addition to helping at their care centers, the Humane Society also has volunteer positions in animal rescue and response.
This group works with schools across the US, identifying kids who've fallen behind in their reading skills and matching them with volunteer tutors who read with them twice a week.