Volunteering is something that only the “straight-laced” teenagers do and what elderly people do to fill up free time. Wrong. Volunteering is a good way to experience our community and get involved in something that makes a difference. You may even be able find an agency or company that is of future interest to you.

Community service isn’t just a punishment that teenagers get for staying out past curfew or for stealing a t-shirt from the mall. If teenagers are sick of being viewed negatively, then why not take the initiative to show that we aren’t all lost youth? Many teenagers have goals and aspirations. Adults are often blind to our ambitions and good motives because of the negative way that other teenagers act. Drug dealers, smokers, thieves, and young alcoholics are all spreading the proverbial lie that, “Hey, don’t trust those lousy teenagers. All they do is party and lie to authority.” Since when did one group of teenagers set the stereotype for all of us? Volunteer and offer adults a new image of us.

It is simple to become a volunteer. Daycare centers, community theaters, public schools and colleges, youth organizations, museums, art galleries, and many other organizations often allow youth volunteers to come in for several hours or at their convenience. Of course, you should only commit yourself to a volunteer schedule that you can fulfill. It’s important, if you do choose to volunteer, that you don’t take on a bigger load than you can handle.

So how do you get plugged into an agency? Go to ve.asp http://www.cns.gov/serve.asp, http://www.volunteerillinois.org, or http://www.illinois.gov/volunteer/opportunities.cfm to get information on local volunteer openings.

Last summer I volunteered at OSF St. Mary’s Hospital in administration filing documents and in central processing wrapping tools to send out to surgeons and clinics in Galesburg. I am currently in Community Service class and go to the Galesburg Civic Art Center four days a week, not only for the class credit, but for my personal pleasure also.

Whether to get academic credit, build a good resume, make a difference in someone’s life, meet new people, gain life and work experiences, experience diversity, improve social skills, or have a good time (yes, it’s possible), take a chance and volunteer somewhere. Even if you just go to your agency once a month, volunteer. I suggest once every two weeks or several times a month to get comfortable around the people that you will interact with.

Volunteering isn’t something that you are going to look back at years from now and say, “Wow, I wish that I hadn’t volunteered. I wish that I would have been more selfish and would have done things for me in my free time rather than my community.” I’m not being unrealistic. I have a busy schedule; I work, I’m a Budget editor, I hang out with my friends and boyfriend, I find time for myself, but I also volunteer.