With less than a month left, there is no better way to finish the semester strong than to volunteer at local organizations off campus! Volunteering may lead you to a new passion and possibly develop a service mindset.
A service mindset is the thought of giving to others before yourself. With minimal sacrifices on your part such as your time, the community is improving. Volunteering is a great way to develop this mindset because you are treating this as a mutual learning experience. Not only will you be able to help someone, but you will also gain a valuable experience by learning from the people you interact with. Viewing each other as peers/mentors, such conversations may teach you more than you expected.
Behind this service mindset, those in need of service are not labeled as disadvantaged individuals; rather there is no sense of hierarchy because everyone is recognized at the same level. For the volunteer experience to be appealing, preconceptions are cast away in order to build a foundation based on mutual respect for each other. Perhaps, at the end of the day, you will leave a volunteer experience thinking, I have realized something new about life.
If this post has sparked a new interest, feel free to check out some volunteer opportunities listed below! Cornell’s Public Service Center Volunteer Program also offers more opportunities around the Ithaca area at http://www.career.cornell.edu/paths/health/experience/volunteer/ithaca.cfm
Loaves and Fishes
This is a nonprofit organization at a Christian ministry that serves free meals and provides a place for those in need, regardless of their background, religion, beliefs, and other circumstances. Visitors come to satisfy their basic needs, as well as for hospitality and companionship. Volunteers often help out through food preparation, cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning up the dining hall.
Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC)
This is a center that provides multicultural, educational, and recreational programs focused on social and individual development of all ages, especially youth and teens. By implementing its own programming and using available resources, GIAC improves the quality of life for youth, families, underrepresented, etc. Volunteers can choose to help out as academic tutors, web designers, cooks, and a variety of other positions. With room to grow and expand upon different positions, being a volunteer here holds endless opportunities.
Tompkins County Public Library (TCPL)
In the integral Ithaca community, this library offers a plethora of services including access to public spaces, language learning, and outreach programs in addition to borrowing resources. Volunteers hold many positions here and can choose to help out as a circulation assistant, shelf-reader, gardener, etc.
Ithaca Health Alliance
Hoping to facilitate access to healthcare for all, this is a volunteer organization that offers free service sessions at the clinic, which include conventional and holistic medical services as well as health insurance counseling. This organization focuses on the needs of uninsured and offers sustainable models of community drive solutions to alleviate the current health crisis. Clinical volunteers assist healthcare providers with simple tasks and may assume receptionist duties such as scheduling appointments during busy times.
Ithaca Children’s Garden
This is a three acre public children’s garden that develops, implements, and evaluates a wide range of educational programs for childrens, teens, etc. A variety of community events are often hosted and volunteers are welcome to table at outreach events, support education programs, garden volunteer afternoons, and help with office support.
Wild Things Sanctuary
If you are interested in working with animals, this sanctuary helps nature wildlife animals prepare for rehabilitation. Orphaned/displaced animals are often rescued until they are ready to be released into the wild again. Volunteers are able to educate the public by placing an emphasis in improving the wellbeing of wildlife. Responsibilities may include transport of animals, outdoor work, help with fundraising and public relations, etc. For eager individuals, tasks may include building outdoor cages for animals and maintaining paths to various outdoor cages.
Resources:
Link to The Odyssey Article on A Better Mindset for Volunteers
Link to Loaves and Fishes Homepage
Link to City of Ithaca Greater Ithaca Activities Center Volunteer Opportunity
Link to Tompkins County Public Library Volunteer Opportunity
Link to Ithaca Health Volunteer Opportunity