Volunteering is one of the most rewarding experiences for high school students, as it not only allows you to help the community in many ways but also fills you with the satisfaction of giving. Specifically for high schoolers, volunteering provides an opportunity to grow, both personally and professionally, while also positively impacting the environment & community around you.

Volunteering provides numerous benefits including personal growth and making a significant impact on the community.

Personal Growth

When volunteering, high schoolers often work with lots of people, each with different backgrounds, experiences and ages. Working with people who are passionate about the same goal you are passionate about develops teamwork, communication and collaboration skills, which are valuable in any place.

Volunteering also helps guide students to work on their time management skills. High schoolers have a lot of work to do, including school work, sports, extracurricular activities and more. With volunteering, students learn how to balance their academics with community service, which is key for the future.

Many volunteering opportunities also allow students to take on leadership roles such as organizing & coordinating fundraisers, overseeing a group of volunteers, or being a project manager. This leadership that students take on ties in with gaining critical thinking skills as well. By taking on the role of being a leader, it involves solving problems on the spot, finding unique solutions to challenges, and coming up with new, creative ideas for an event or cause.

Significant Impact on the Community

Volunteering plays a crucial role in meeting essential needs within a community, such as helping local food pantries, cleaning up public areas or aiding elderly residents. High school students often contribute new perspectives and eagerness to these initiatives. Their participation can result in meaningful changes in the community, making it a more enjoyable and supportive environment for everyone to live in.

Volunteers not only help address immediate needs, but also foster long-term positive changes to the community. When volunteering, individuals often build deeper connections with their community, create stronger bonds with people of different ages, backgrounds and generations. Over time, these connections become a foundation for lasting positive change.

When high schoolers volunteer, they are setting the foundation for a more connected, more caring and empowered community tomorrow. Volunteering gives young people experience, friendships, and attitudes that may be considered lifetime possessions, therefore laying a ripple effect for long-lasting positive change for a stronger community in the future.

Volunteering Opportunities

While it might be hard searching for opportunities to volunteer, we have provided some places you can volunteer in Bridgewater below:

1. Somerset County Library System Volunteering – The Bridgewater Branch offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities, including Teen Volunteer Nights, where you can make bookmarks, cards and participate in other activities that help give back to the community.
2. Somerset Regional Animal Shelter – Volunteering opportunities at this animal shelter include daily shelter cleaning, dog walking, cat enrichment, offsite adoption events, fundraising events and socializing shy cats in the shelter’s “Connect with the Dots” program.
3. Volunteering at the Y – The YMCA is welcoming volunteers for roles in tutoring, maintenance, administrative and program support, philanthropy, policy and special events.
4. Adult Day Center (ADC) of Somerset County – Located in Bridgewater, the ADC offers various volunteer opportunities, such as planning fundraisers, hosting special theme days like “Casino Day” or “Bingo Bash,” planting flowers in flower boxes, and serving as program volunteers who assist with daily activities, special events, office help and one-on-one time with members.
5. Martin Luther King Youth Center – MLKYC offers volunteering opportunities such as one-on-one tutoring, summer camp assistance, and support for after school extracurricular activities and programs.

As an additional note, if someone is looking for more opportunities to volunteer, they can contact Ms. Kaiser.