Global Reach from Home: Virtual Volunteer Opportunities
Social distancing has become a way of life for everyone right now. ‘Stay in Place’ may be in effect, but your willingness to help others doesn’t have to. Make an impact in your community and across the world all from your home!
We’ve compiled a list of virtual volunteering opportunities that you can do during this time of social distancing. Read below for unique ways you can help from anywhere in your home.
Volunteer from Home:
- Be My Eyes - Use this free mobile app to help make the world more accessible for blind and low-vision people. The app connects blind and low-vision individuals with sighted volunteers from all over the world through a live video call.
- Career Village - Looking to act as a mentor to someone interested in your career field? Volunteer on this online platform where students ask career questions that are answered by people working, or that have worked, in that field. A LinkedIn account is required to start.
- Translators Without Borders - If you have a love for languages, this could be the perfect volunteering opportunity for you. If you're fluent in more than one language, this nonprofit combines language skills with humanitarian aid. Volunteers provide translations (10 million words a year!) to international organizations that focus on crisis relief, health and education.
- Project Gutenber - Join in the effort to create the largest digital library! Volunteer by donating eligible materials, transcribing books into a digital form, or proofreading others’ work.
- Zooniverse - If you have a wide range of interests, Zooniverse has something for you. This is a people-powered research platform that helps people in different subjects across the board - identify endangered animals, classifying galaxy systems, or transcribing Shakespearean manuscripts.
- Crisis Text Line - This Crisis Text Line service is offered as free, 24/7 support to those in crisis situations. If you're at least 18 years old and commit to volunteering fours each week, you can apply for their free training.
- United Nations Volunteers - Global impact more of your speed? Consider volunteering with UNV. This opportunity connects you with organizations working for peace and development in need of skills like research, writing, art, and design.
If you live in a state where one of our bases is located, here’s a list of volunteer opportunities closer to your community:
If You Live in Ohio:
- If you’re able to sew, create fabric face masks for hospice nurses.
I AM BOUNDLESS, INC. - COLUMBUS
- If you’re able to sew, create fabric face masks for this non-profit organization’s staff assisting individuals with complex needs associated with intellectual and developmental disabilities and/or behavioral health challenges across Ohio.
If You Live in Pennsylvania:
- Skilled in coding or website development? Pursue a volunteer opportunity with ARTS OUT LOUD, an arts-focused, Pittsburgh, PA-based, non-profit doing work on a National level. Arts Out Loud is the ONLY LGBTQ arts organization that offers quality programming and scholarships for young people in the US, not sponsored by a school.
If You Live in Norfolk or Washington, D.C.:
- If you’re seeking to make connections digitally, check out Best Buddies. It’s an international non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development.
If You Live in Tennessee:
- If the arts are of more interest to you, consider illustrating. The Children's Kindness Network is an organization whose mission is to stop bullying before it begins by teaching kindness value to young children through Moozie the cow.
References: https://www.dosomething.org/us/articles/9-places-to-volunteer-online-and-make-a-real-impact, https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/living/story/virtual-volunteering-ways-volunteer-home-time-coronavirus-69741410, www.volunteermatch.org