This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Local kids need you: make a meaningful connection

Under the category of mentoring, there are no less than five ways you can invest in the lives of others listed on the North Shore Volunteer Hub.  The Hub is a new website community from the North Shore United Way, linked from nsuw.org,  that is connecting people with meaningful opportunities to volunteer.

Becoming a mentor is a powerful way to strengthen the fabric of our community, build relationships, and help others succeed.  But by all means, it isn’t one-size-fits-all!  Here is a sampling of opportunities:

19 local teenagers await a mentor through Children’s Friend & Family Services.  Become a new friend to a local kid and you'll become a supportive, consistent adult in his or her life.  Together, you’ll enjoy social, recreational and educational activities that will help him or her build self-esteem.  

Love to garden and share your appreciation for fresh, healthy, local food?  58 new and returning growers with the Backyard Growers Program await garden mentors.  This is a low time-commitment, high joy-factor volunteer opportunity!

Have an interest in law, public speaking, government?  How about math?  English? Technology?  Kids of all ages await adults of any age in the Youth in Government Program, or help with homework in the after-school programs at the North Shore Y and at Salem Cyberspace.  

A meaningful volunteer opportunity awaits you.  The foundation is a strong match between your skills, and interests and the needs that exist in our community.  To get started, I want to invite you to an Open House series hosted by the North Shore United Way  called “Resolved to Care.”  From noon to 5pm every Friday in January, staff will be available to demonstrate the North Shore Volunteer Hub and help you find the right match.  No pressure to participate in anything—come check out this great new website resource and meet the staff behind it!

--
The North Shore United Way invests almost $1M each year in projects that transform lives and improve communities now and for future generations.  NSUW is all about local impact by rigorously vetting and supporting 25 causes that serve children, families, and seniors in eight North Shore communities, including Beverly, Hamilton, Wenham, Ipswich, Essex, Manchester, Gloucester and Rockport.  For more information about the process and projects funded by NSUW donors and volunteers, visit nsuw.org or call 978-922-3966.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?