Volunteer opportunities for high school students
This year, high school students everywhere are suffering the loss of proms, graduation ceremonies, and everyday joys because of COVID-19. And yet, sometimes the ideal way to pull yourself away from your struggles is to find a selfless job. What follows are ways you can be of service from the safety of your own home.
Provide virtual COVID-19 assistance
Something as simple as becoming a digital advocate for the Red Cross can allow teens to make an impact on the crisis. This can involve actions like simply sharing Red Cross content across social media platforms or organizing an online fundraiser. Points of Light can connect you to a host of pandemic-oriented causes including writing letters to health care workers, or reducing food stress for needy families in your area.
Instruct students online
Low-income and minority students have suffered great educational losses during the pandemic, as technological barriers and under-resourced urban schools have only increased an already tragic achievement gap. TeensGive.org allows individuals in 9th-12th grade many opportunities to instruct peers online.
Become a translator
If you happen to be bilingual, there are plenty of ways in which you can contribute to a great cause right from your computer. For example, UNICEF presently needs five COVID-19-related documents translated from English to French. You could also consider joining the army of TED Translators who work on subtitling the inspirational videos so that they can be enjoyed by audiences around the globe.
File historical documents
Fans of history may be interested in becoming citizen file collectors for a non-profit organization such as the National Archives in Washington, D.C. Would you enjoy transcribing speeches made by Franklin Roosevelt, or cataloging Purple Hearts awarded between 1942 and 1963? These tasks are awaiting the help of virtual volunteers right now. During this tough time, just follow the words of Teddy Roosevelt to "do the best you can, with what you have, where you are". Online volunteer work may prove to be exactly that.
