By Renee Clarke, Senior Account Manager, Host Relations, Work and Travel, Greenheart Exchange
Connecting with your community through volunteerism is an incredibly rich way to pair tying out the year and engaging exchange visitors to their new home. Broadening the participants involvement and meeting neighbors will help them adjust to life in the US, especially when missing home over the Holidays themselves.
Greenheart Club, provide resources and highly encourage coaches all stakeholders to take part in volunteerism!
What can we do?
- Before parks are covered in snow, several communities are doing season and cleanups
- Signs may already be up at local parks or Park District marquees
- With Thanksgiving, a variety of organizations are providing opportunities to feed neighbors
- Suggestion: Check in with local religious organizations | community food banks | grocery store chains
- Animal shelters are working to get animals adopted in fur-ever homes for the Holidays
- Do you know someone who adopted a pet? It is likely they have access to updated events
- Pet Stores often have information displayed or can point you to resources
- Toy drives are popping up in every community.
- Several First Responders are posting such opportunities
In their first few weeks, participants are learning all sorts of things about their jobs, but also focusing on getting acclimated to their community. Having a few hours to connect with their coworkers and neighbors will have a deep impact. Building such efforts into onboarding will really provide the opportunity for them to immerse themselves into their new home.
How does one get started?
- Researching local opportunities can be as easy as keeping your eyes open for signage or post scenes
- Community leaders and their staff are alerted
- Many local libraries | Community Centers
- As #ExchangesAreAmerica, feel free to tap into the opportunity celebrate 250th anniversary of the US! America250.org has resources where over 90 million service hours have been logged to date
- Broader organizations, such as Red Cross, Toys for Tots, Meals on Wheels are working to connect you to local opportunities.
No experience needed: Most groups are looking for volunteers/extra sets of hands fore events and provide on-the-spot training.
Not able to go offsite?
- An external event is not always necessary. Making cards for seniors and local food pantries to include donations is very seldom turned away.
- Suggestions on getting started:
- Pulling together, a few simple art supplies to create cards with carrying messages of support and care. Here is a start!
- May your days be filled with laughter and smiles.
- You make me smile! Just wanted you to know.
- Having a friend like you fills my day with joy!
- Where to share: Local senior centers, children services [such as Ronald McDonald House], religious institutions, local food pantries or clothing centers to drop off/distributed donations are an option. At minimum, choosing an elderly community member may be a great option!
Within cultural exchange, sharing our communities with our participants is a precious gift. Please share yours today.