Source: Ray Sangga Kusuma on Unsplash
The season of giving is right around the corner, and in the city with the most nonprofits per capita, it’s easy to give back to. Volunteering or working with a different community can be a great way to bond with the family, grab community service hours for programs like the National Junior Honor Society, or a way to begin forging a lifelong connection with service work. Here, we’ve made a list of some local places that provide great experiences and learning opportunities for the whole family!
United Way of the Mid-South
United Ways volunteer search engine can help you find the best fit for your family
United Way is one of the best ways for all Memphians to get involved in the city. The group acts as a major repository for volunteer events in the city. United Way’s mission is to help those who would normally struggle to find a comfortable volunteer placement. Annually, they will host large-scale community events providing even more opportunities for families to get out and help others. If your family is looking to get involved but unsure where to start, they are great resources, as their volunteer search tool can help you and your family find the perfect fit!
Information about volunteer events can be found here.
Memphis Animal Shelter
Source: Memphis Animal Services Facebook
The Memphis Animal Shelter (MAS) is a hidden gem in Memphis. Serving as one of the cities largest animal shelters, they are always looking for volunteers to help with day-to-day operations as well as their community outreach events. Their adoption events are great ways for all members of the family to get involved, as volunteers playing with cats and dogs can help potential adopters see how the animals interact with kids as well as adults. MAS is also always in search of fosters, which can provide kids with the opportunity to practice taking care of animals. If fostering is too much of a commitment, MAS also encourages families to come into their shelter and help socialize kittens and dogs to help them find new homes.
More information on how to get involved with MAS can be found here.
Refugee Empowerment Program
Students from the Refugee Empowerment Program tell stories of home
The Refugee Empowerment Program (REP) is a longstanding nonprofit located in the Binghampton neighborhood. The nonprofit works with refugees who have recently immigrated to the United States, providing them with mentoring and education support for youth, language, and ESL classes for adults and hosting events promoting legal, employment, and social services resources for the Binghamton community. REP would be a great fit for high school-aged young adults looking to bolster their resumes before going off to college. The friendly staff and fun atmosphere make it a great place to learn more about different cultures and values!
More information about REP can be found here.
Does your family volunteer with other organizations in the city? Comment below to tell us about your favorite nonprofit.