Read, walk, share, help: Volunteer!

Volunteer opportunities in Miami-Dade to become a helper

When tech guru Steve Jobs said, “Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life,” he was paraphrasing the old adage to “follow your passion.” But what if you don't know what that is?

Become a volunteer

This is a good way for you to learn, observe, assist or even teach and share skills with others on your way to discovering what interests you, motivates you and satisfies your soul … or not. You can actually test-drive a vocation by volunteering.

Although it may not seem like it, many volunteers claim it's a two-way street. They enter into it thinking that their volunteering is solely to help others, but more often than not, they discover they also reap rewards. Volunteering can be a lifeline in both directions.

Image by Miki Czetti from Pixabay

If you lean towards an altruistic endeavor, there are agencies and organizations to help match your skill sets and interests with companies, municipalities, and nonprofits that would benefit from your willingness to help out. Or, if you already have an idea in mind, then peruse this list to find something you can do with your spare time; choose something that adds to your quality of life, too.

Do you like books? Then, consider volunteering at a public library to:

Shelve and organize books or magazines
Help out in the library office
Assist in sorting donated materials
Prepare arts and crafts materials for children’s programming.

Do you like animals? Then, perhaps you'd enjoy helping a rescue or animal shelter with tasks to help make the world a more humane place for animals.

Do you enjoy the theater, galleries and museums? There's always a volunteer position open at many South Florida venues to take tickets, be an usher or become a docent to take visitors on tours.

Do you prefer to be outdoors? No worries, there are county parks and nature centers that often use volunteers to help staff in recreation areas and coastal habitats kept clean for visitors. Or, maybe you'd like to learn how to be a trail guide.

Remember what Mr. Rogers said, “Look for the helpers.”

Whatever piques your interest, the world of volunteering awaits. Here are some links to assist in your pursuit. The following list is just a starting place. Bookmark this page and check back with us. We will be updating these resources periodically.