Making the decision to volunteer can be pretty overwhelming because there are hundreds of organizations in the area to choose from. Whether you made a resolution to spend more time giving back to the community this year, or you just want to get a head start on accumulating SERV hours, here’s a few ideas to get you started.
If you want to help animals:
Abandoned Pets Rescue
Abandoned Pets Rescue is one of South Florida’s largest no-kill shelters that rescues pets from unsafe conditions, offers rehabilitation services and helps them get adopted. APR relies heavily on volunteers to tend to the animals. Volunteer duties include feeding, walking and socializing the dogs as they wait to find a loving home. Volunteers also clean up after the cats and dogs and assist with any events hosted by the organization. To volunteer, send an email expressing your interest to apr954@aol.com.
If you want to work with children:
SOS Children’s Villages
With a collection of 12 houses, SOS Children’s Village of South Florida is a village of up to 75 foster care children where the kids receive support, security, variety services and, most importantly, the fun and familial environment every child deserves. Volunteers can choose to mentor an SOS child by spending two hours a week interacting with him or her, assist with the organization’s events and projects — anything from helping to take down the Christmas tree and other holiday decorations to assembling welcome bags for new residents — and be a Birthday Buddy donor who donates a $25 gift to a child every year on his or her birthday. Visit sosflorida.com/volunteer/current-opportunities to sign up for upcoming events and open opportunities.
If you want to help the elderly or the disabled:
Rebuilding Together Broward County
With a focus on assisting veterans, the elderly and the disabled, Rebuilding Together Broward County volunteers repair and improve homes to help those in poverty who can’t make the necessary improvements themselves. If you’re interested in volunteering in a home improvement project, call 954-772-994 or email info@rebuildingtogetherbroward.org.
If you want to help those suffering from intellectual disabilities:
Special Olympics Broward
Special Olympics is a national organization that trains and sets up Olympic-style competitions for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Volunteers can coach the athletes or assist in weekly practices in a variety of sports, or they can simply help out at events. The organization is also searching for interns in the fields of sports management and public relations. To volunteer, call 954-262-2150 or email mleonardo@specialolympicsbroward.org.
If you want to serve the homeless and hungry:
LifeNet4Families
LifeNet4Families offers a variety of services to the hungry and homeless in Broward County, including a community kitchen, an emergency food pantry, employment support, family counseling and healthy living services. Volunteers can help prepare morning meals, sort items from food drives, stock pantry shelves and prepare sandwiches for homeless clients. To volunteer, fill out an application at lifenet4families.org/portal/volunteer-now.
If you want to help victims of domestic violence:
Women in Distress of Broward County
Women in Distress is an organization that seeks to put an end to domestic violence by educating the community and helping victims. Volunteers can help out at events, assist with fundraising and administrative duties and assist participants at the center by keeping children entertained. To volunteer, email volunteerdepartment@womenindistress.org.
If you want to help put an end to bullying:
National Voices for Equality Education and Enlightenment
Aware of the adverse effects of bullying and hate crimes on youths in the area, NVEEE strives to educate the community on these issues and develop prevention tactics to put an end to violence and suicide among youths. Volunteers can act as mentors, motivational speakers, interns and peace ambassadors. To volunteer, fill out an online form at nveee.org/volunteer.
Abandoned Pets Rescue
1137 NE 9th Ave., Fort Lauderdale
954-728-9010
apr.rescuegroups.org
SOS Children’s Villages
3681 NW 59th Place, Coconut Creek
954-420-5030
sosflorida.com
Rebuilding Together Broward County
4824 NE 12th Ave., Oakland Park
954-772-9945
rebuildingtogetherbroward.org
Special Olympics Broward
3300 S. University Drive., Fort Lauderdale
954-262-2150
http://specialolympicsflorida.org/broward
LifeNet4Families
1 NW 33rd Terrace, Lauderhill
954-792-2328
lifenet4families.org
Women in Distress of Broward County
1372 FL-7, Margate
954-975-7425
National Voices for Equality Education and Enlightenment
777 Brickell Ave. Suite 500, Miami
954-866-5880
nveee.org
