Hey Teenagers: What do you care about?

Mixing business with pleasure isn’t always a good idea, but for you and your friends, saving the world can be one of the greatest catalysts. But before you do that, let’s figure out what you’re inspired by.

Maybe you’re looking to volunteer to beef up your resume, or maybe it’s purely social. Whatever it is, we’re rejoicing about a generation of doers and we got your back here at CoolPeopleCare.

Who among us decided that Saturdays were meant for collecting garbage or cleaning up cages at the zoo, instead of watching Saturday morning cartoons and sleeping in until noon? Well my bad, if that person was you. For the rest of us, we need some guidance in doing our part in making the world a better place. Well, you’re in luck because that’s where we can help!

Here are some general sites that are very useful in deciding what area or service you may be interested in. The matches you receive from these sites go in-depth about the description, time factor, location, and age requirement. Be our resident Sherlock Holmes and go ahead and do some digging into some great resources:

• Volunteer Match

• Network for Good

• Volunteer Solutions

• Volunteer Abroad

However, if you’re ready to get started, then take a look at these resources below, organized by topic. We’ve also noted where in the world the opportunity and organizations can be found, whether it’s local (L), abroad (A), or global (G):

Keep it green, y’all – The Environment

• Nature Conservancy (L)

• Historic Green (New Orleans)

• Humane Teen (L)

Vet offices, animal hospitals, and pet shelters – Animal Welfare

• World Animal Net (A)

• The Humane Society of the United States (L)

Get the whole youth group to serve – Disaster Relief

• USA Freedom Corps (L/A)

• Overseas Youth Volunteering (A)

Quit complaining, get off your butt and end discrimination – Inequality

• Stopping Violence Against Women (G)

• End Racism (G)

Raise money and help kids learn – Education

• Arts in Education (G)

• Pennies for Peace (G)

• ProLiteracy (G)

Keep fit with volunteering – Health & Fitness

• YMCA (L)

• End Childhood Obesity (G)

Create equality for all – HIV & Sexuality

• Teens Against HIV/AIDS (G)

• LGBT Rights (G)

Raise money for resources at your local homeless mission – Poverty

• Oxfam (G)

• Unicef (G)

There are so many resources (including sites and people) that teens can use to find volunteer opportunities, whether local or abroad – so get ready to pack your bags!

Previous Articles for Teens

• Attention High Schoolers: It’s Time to Save the World

Tune in next week:

Perhaps it’s just a case of Saturn returning, but with the growing demand of teens in the industry, 2009 is going to be a turning point. With your volunteer service, knowledge of the real-world job hunt, and the heart, you’re going to get so many opportunities that you never thought would come. If you’re thinking, “Am I really making an impact?” The answer is absotively posolutely , YES! It may feel effortless, but your dedication is being felt.