Hello, does anyone know of any good voluteer programs for my teen daughter (15)? My daughter is somewhat spoiled in a way that she doenst necessarily get everything she wants but she always wants something no matter how small. Every store we go to she feels that she has to get something, whether it be grocery store retail store or wherever. She doesnt say exactly that she needs something but always asks and when I specifically tell her Im buying exactly whats on my list or that Im on a budget the next few weeks, she still ask anyway and then gets a little upset or actually she makes this sad face and pouts out her lip. She gets over it rather quickly but the fact that she doesnt understand that she is extremely lucky that her father and I can do all the things we already do for her seems to go over looked. For example, when people ask her if she got everythiing she wanted for Christmas, (and we couldve spent more than $500 just on her) she will say "I got a few things." Or if anyone asks what she did over the Summer she will say nothing much, and fail to mention the family trip to Lincoln City for 4th of july or fail to mention she went to Las Vegas to visit relatives or just hanging out with us going to restaurants, plays and museums and what I think is fun stuff for her, well she seems to be having fun while we're doing it.
At any rate, I was just looking for something else to get her involved in where she can see that she is a fortunate girl and that money does not grow on trees. She does extremely well in school and is on her school dance/drill team and really is an all-around good kid. But she's never had to experience any struggle like I did as a child and you know as parents you always want your children to have more and do better than you did but at the same time they need to learn how to give back and not just receive.
Ideas anyone?
I bet there are a lot of soup kitchen type places that could use some help. Especially in the coming months. I bet the high school could also give you some ideas. Maybe a retirement home? From what you described, something like a soup kitchen or the salvation army or something may be a good place to start...that way she can see first hand people less fortunate than herself.
The hospital is always a good place to volunteer. And when our youngest was with a friend who got arrested for shoplifting at the mall, (our daughter {thankfully} choose not to shoplift) we sent both girls to work with my husband, who is the supervisor for the Hospitality Kitchen in downtown Tacoma. All of our girls and many of their friends and their various clubs and organizations have volunteered at the Kitchen. The shoplifter's mom asked if her girl could go there for a reality check. The Hospitality Kitchen serves 300-500 hot meals two times a day to homeless and underprivileged people throughout Pierce County (WA), so they can always use volunteers. In fact, it's open to anyone who is hungry. Sometimes people and families are a little short on funds at certain times of the month and just need a hot meal. It's a great reality check for anyone to volunteer in a place like that. And it really is a wonderful feeling to help others in that capacity.
Perhaps an organization at her school or even her dance team could sponsor a sock drive for homeless people. Can you imagine the look on a homeless person's face when they receive a new or like new pair socks when it's 35 degrees outside and/raining? Imagine two or three pair? It's a great feeling to give back, do a good deed, make someone's day.
If you go to church, she could volunteer to help out at the nursery during services.
You're a great mom to want this for your daughter and she's lucky to have you. Your daughter will love giving back to her community.
By the way...the shoplifter has a new respect for what she does have, even though it's not everything she WANTS. She always has everything she needs.
I was involved in Special Olympics when I was in High School. I helped with "coaching" the swim team, as I was on the high school team. I think it started with doing community service hours for a class, but I dodn't really remember how I got started, just that being involved was special. Kids can volunteer as young as age 11. I think it is a great opportunity for anyone that has time give.
The website for Special Olympics of Washington is
www.sowa.org
Have you heard of Gloriasangels.org Gloria Strauss was the daughter of some great friends of mine. She passed away last September after a courageous battle against cancer. She was #2 of their 7 children. At 11 years old she was wiser than most of us. Anyway I digress, her father Doug Strauss has started a non-profit organization in her name. Her older sister is 14 now I believe and she and her friends help ALOT. They do simple things like, mowing someones lawn, cleaning a room in their house or just babysitting a little one while they are in treatment. It is a wonderful organization. They are very focused on being community centered and giving to those who don't feel that they deserve it and those who are just struggling to do the little things every day. They do not pick just one type of cancer or one type of ilness. They really just try to help anyone and everyone in need. I hope this helps! Good luck!
D.
I was about to suggest the Children's Hospital, but honestly Mary K's response has offered the gamut! So, I'll just say: way to go, T. in taking charge of shaping your teen in such a positive, compassionate & outward-focused way. Good luck!
Your local food bank can always use help stocking shelves, helping folks bag their groceries, carry them to their cars or homes. There is such a need these days. Volunteer at a nursing home or hospital's pediatric ward. Or have her go to your local elementary school and help in a classroom once she's out of school for the day, there's about an 1 to 1.5 hours left of their school day. Teachers can use the help and so can the kids, especially kids who don't have someone readily available to help them when they get home, as their parents are working. Have her go through her closet and sort out the clothes she's not wearing and take them to a clothing bank, many foodbanks have them. Just a few suggestions.
One of the best things my kids ever did was volunteer at the food bank. They saw just how well they had it, especially in the winter during the toy giveaway. Toys that are a couple years out of style and they were thrilled to get them.
It was also in downtown Seattle, so they got to see the homeless guys and how little they had and how we tried to help them as much as we could.
Food banks can always use able bodies to sort things, etc.
in Tacoma? Nativity House - food and activity place for the homeless, not necessary to interact alot with the homeless if you don't want to, can serve food, sort donations, etc.
There is this great website that I came across for teen opportunities: jackiesvolunteernetwork.com Check it out.
She may be downplaying how much you do for her to be a bit modest since she probably knows she has more than others. If you're really concerned, maybe volunteer with the local food bank together. They can always use help sorting things or distributing. Maybe she could volunteer at her church or the library? I know the Seattle Aquarium has a volunteer program for teens. Is there a dance school near by that she could volunteer at to share one of her interests?
well, i'm not a mother, but i saw ur question and decided to sign up for this thingie
I'm 15 as well. i dnt get everything i want, and i dnt expect much, but i'm doing this thing now tht involves good deeds
It's th latest fad in japan for teen girls right now
I keep a little notebook with me and some stickers for this. I glued my picture inside and wrote down my wish tht i wld like to come true. Every good deed i do, i put one cute sticker in my notebook. So, basically, for every good deed, i get a sticker. Once i've done 100 good deeds, and collected 100 stickers, my wish will come true.
i dnt actually believe in wishes, but it's really fun and so cute @^_^@
and it is true tht hard work will pay off in the long-run, and this is a good way to realize that :3
