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Local Volunteering

If you want to volunteer within your own country or local area, these resources are a good starting point.

North America

AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps is a domestic version of the Peace Corps. They execute over 1,000 projects annually, using over 40,000 American volunteers. Most AmeriCorps members are selected by and serve with projects like Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross, and Boys and Girls Clubs. Others serve in AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) and AmeriCorps*NCCC (the National Civilian Community Corps). After their term of service, AmeriCorps members receive education awards to help finance college or pay back student loans.

Break Away. Break Away promotes service on the local, regional, national and international levels through programs tied in with school chapters. Break Away focuses on training college and university students to implement quality alternative break programs on their campuses. Individuals who are not in school may access Break Away's services by becoming individual members.

Center for National Service. The Corporation for National Service — which oversees AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve America, and the National Senior Service Corps — works with governor-appointed state commissions, non-profits, faith-based groups, schools, and other organizations to provide opportunities for Americans of all ages to serve their communities.

Habitat for Humanity/VISTA. Members serve a one-year term helping to build the capacity of an affiliate, assuming roles in resource development, AmeriCorps member or construction coordination, family services or thrift store coordination. AmeriCorps members receive a living allowance and insurance while in service and an education award or cash bonus is granted upon completion of the AmeriCorps member term. To apply, you must be 18 or older and possess a high school diploma or GED.

National Senior Service Corps. NSSC is a national service program that puts the experience and talents of seniors across the US to work getting things done in their communities

Planet Volunteer. Matches you with volunteer and service opportunities in your local area. Currently limited to North American opportunities.

ServeNet. Matches you with volunteer and service opportunities based on your location, skills, or interests. Capable of linking you to volunteer and service projects worldwide, but currently mostly limited to US-based opportunities.

Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE). The Service Corps of Retired Executives is a volunteer program of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) that provides business counseling. Over 400 chapters use 13,000 retired and active executives to assist companies within the U.S. in needed of experienced advice.

Volunteer Solutions. A Boston-based nonprofit hosting a database of volunteer opportunities in selected cities in the U.S. (Austin, Boston, Detroit, Omaha, San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles).

VolunteerMatch. Connects you with volunteer opportunities in your local area. They have a huge database of short-term volunteer opportunities.

Western Europe

Careforce UK. Places Christians aged 18 to 25 in 10-12 month service projects in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The program covers room and board and a stipend. Participants make their own travel arrangements. Does accept volunteers from outside the UK.

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