| There may be times in your marriage or life | | | | ESL (English as a Second Language) or help |
| in general that you are struggling through a | | | | with reading literacy skills. The neat thing |
| difficult period. This struggle may include | | | | about volunteering in this area is you don't |
| obtaining help from medical professionals, or | | | | need to speak a foreign language to teach |
| counselors. While going through the healing | | | | these classes.You will be amazed at the bonds |
| process, it often takes some time to see a | | | | that are formed as you help another become |
| real change in the situation.Rather than get | | | | more self sufficient and confident. One |
| frustrated or hyper focus on the slow | | | | great resource in our area is a non-profit |
| process, here is a great suggestion while you | | | | organization called "Literacy Advance". See |
| "hurry up and wait" for things to evolve to a | | | | what's in your area: you want to volunteer in |
| better level. Try giving of yourself to | | | | a food pantry or soup kitchen over the |
| others.Distract Yourself With ServiceYou will | | | | holidays or on a regular basis. There is |
| be amazed at the joy and positive feelings | | | | much to be said in helping meet the basic |
| you will have as you serve others. This does | | | | needs of our neighbors. Volunteering in this |
| three things:- It distracts you from your | | | | capacity will help you better appreciate your |
| problems that you may be focusing too much of | | | | many blessings. To find a food pantry near |
| your time on.- It helps you see that there | | | | you try: all you sports fans, how about |
| are others who carry greater burdens than you | | | | helping coach a little league or soccer team? |
| are currently faced with.- It will also be a | | | | More important than your coaching skills or |
| great source of peace and comfort as you | | | | knowledge is your ability to bring out the |
| serve others.Not everyone has the same amount | | | | best in kids and let them know they count no |
| of time, skills, or comfort level to walk | | | | matter what their skill level may be. |
| into a soup kitchen and start helping serve | | | | Contact your local sports leagues or YMCA. |
| dinner. However, with a little creativity, | | | | They always need coaches who really care |
| you will find an avalanche of opportunities | | | | about kids. not forget your local schools are |
| in both your local community and | | | | looking for mentors and tutors for kids at |
| nationwide.Here are just a few ideas:If you | | | | high risk both educationally and emotionally. |
| love animals, the humane society and local | | | | I guarantee that you will never be turned |
| shelters are always looking for volunteers to | | | | away from a local elementary school.Some of |
| help with their lost and stray animals. | | | | the best volunteers at my kids elementary |
| There are also many pet rescue groups that | | | | school are grandparents of some of the |
| help foster animals until a suitable home can | | | | students. They bring with them a wealth of |
| be found. Try going to this site for more | | | | life experiences and wisdom. Whether you |
| ideas: am a BIG fan of supporting your local, | | | | read to a class each week, help tutor kids, |
| State and National PTA. They provide so much | | | | or volunteer in other capacities, you will |
| more than cookies at parent meetings. Their | | | | find great rewards in helping the youth of |
| efforts have changed laws, given more quality | | | | today better prepare for tomorrow. as you've |
| educational opportunities and help in many | | | | read some of these ideas two things happened. |
| ways in your community. Go to the national | | | | First, you forgot about what was bothering |
| web site to find out more and also how to | | | | you the most. Second, one of the suggestions |
| contact your local unit: of you out there | | | | peaked your interest or gave you an idea of |
| like to camp, or just help build skills in | | | | where you may be able to serve.Whether you |
| youth that will serve them their whole life? | | | | are in a holding pattern waiting to work |
| Try helping out in your local Boy or Girl | | | | through some serious problems, or just |
| Scout unit. They are also always looking for | | | | trudging through life. Consider starting |
| "experts" to help at their special day or | | | | today to look for an opportunity to serve |
| week summer camps. all heard of the Big | | | | others. You will find that your burdens seem |
| Brothers and Sisters. Well, you might be | | | | lighter as you help lift the burdens of |
| surprised at the joy that will come to you as | | | | others and your trudge through life will |
| you take a youth under your wing. our area we | | | | indeed evolve into an exciting journey. |
| have a GREAT need to have volunteers to teach | | | | |