BY JANICE LEWINE
Volunteering is one of the best ways for students to develop a sense of purpose, connect with their community and learn valuable skills. Whether they’re restocking a local food pantry, assisting at a pet shelter or cleaning up a neighborhood, young people can make an impact through service learning while exploring their interests and passions. The Triangle offers countless ways for teens and tweens to donate their time to worthwhile causes. Here are 20 to check out.
A Place at the Table
The pay-what-you-can cafe in downtown Raleigh provides food for all, regardless of means. Ages 15 and older can run food, clean tables, wash dishes and roll silverware.
Activate Good
Activate Good’s Youth Volunteer Corps of the Greater Triangle offers opportunities for ages 11–18 to assist in a variety of local causes.
activategood.org/take-action/youth-families-and-schools/yvc
Animal Protection Society of Durham
Ages 14 and older can help the shelter with hospitality, adoption counseling and more. Volunteers must be 16 or older to walk dogs without adult supervision, and 15 or older to volunteer with cats without adult supervision.
apsofdurham.org/how-you-can-help/volunteer
Boys & Girls Clubs of Durham and Orange Counties
With locations in Durham and Chapel Hill, Boys & Girls Clubs welcomes students ages 16 and older to help the nonprofit with a variety of tasks, including physical education instruction for younger children, administrative duties, and classroom and special events assistance.
Dorcas Ministries
Dorcas Ministries in Cary provides financial and food assistance to community members in need. Volunteers work in the thrift shop and food pantry. Ages 14 and older may volunteer independently; families can volunteer together if children are at least 12 years old.
dorcasnc.org/get-involved/volunteer
Fuquay-Varina Emergency Food Pantry
Ages 15 and older can assist the food pantry with a variety of tasks.
The Green Chair Project
The Green Chair Project in Raleigh provides furnishings and housing essentials to families transitioning into stable housing. Ages 13 and older can assist the nonprofit by processing donations, assisting in the warehouse and more. An adult must accompany volunteers younger than 15.
thegreenchair.org/volunteer-your-time
Habitat for Humanity
Volunteers must be 16 or older to build and repair homes for families in Wake, Durham and Orange counties.
The Miracle League of the Triangle
The Miracle League’s buddy system pairs a player with special needs with a volunteer helper age 12 or older to enjoy the game of baseball. Baseball fields are located in Cary, Durham and Raleigh.
North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance
The nonprofit offers a variety of local opportunities for ages 16 and older to assist individuals with Down syndrome.
Oak City Cares
Oak City Cares in Raleigh helps individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Students ages 9–17 may volunteer for Oak City Cares’ weekend meal program with adult supervision.
Piedmont Farm
Animal Refuge. Ages 10–18 may perform essential tasks alongside a parent or guardian to keep the Pittsboro sanctuary running.
Planet Peace Farm
All ages may groom and feed animals, clean pastures, and plant and harvest vegetables at this east Raleigh farm dedicated to youth.
Poe Center for Health Education
The Poe Center for Health Education in Raleigh helps North Carolinians make healthy lifestyle choices. Ages 14 and older may assist with daily operations by helping in the garden, working the front desk, and preparing materials and props for programs.
poehealth.org/who-we-are/volunteer
Raleigh Rescue Mission
The Raleigh Rescue Mission helps individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The minimum age to volunteer on-site is 16; off-site volunteer options for individuals younger than 16 are listed on the website.
raleighrescue.org/ways-to-give/volunteer
Safe Haven for Cats
Ages 16 and older may perform various tasks without a parent or guardian at this Raleigh cat shelter; students younger than 16 may volunteer with parental supervision for shelter cleaning, monthly food distribution or reading to cats.
safehavenforcats.org/volunteer/youth-volunteering
The Salvation Army of Wake County
With adult supervision, volunteers ages 14 and older may feed the hungry in Raleigh by working in the soup kitchen and washing dishes.
southernusa.salvationarmy.org/wake/all-volunteer-opportunities
Second Chance Pet Adoptions
Second Chance in Raleigh rescues stray or abandoned cats and dogs. Ages 16 and older may assist with cat care, greeting visitors and other needs at the facility.
Table
Table in Carrboro provides healthy food and nutrition education for children. All ages can sort and bag food, prepare garden beds and harvest produce.
Urban Ministries of Wake County
Ages 16 and older may help independently to pack boxes with groceries and organize food shelves at the facility in Raleigh; a participating adult must assist ages 13–15.
urbanmin.org/get-involved/volunteer
