Find the Perfect Volunteer Opportunity
Boost your recovery journey after addiction — and have some fun. Here’s a starter list of volunteer resources!
Volunteering and community service are a great way to strengthen the recovery journey. Studies have shown that they can lead to an increased sense of belonging, helping you to develop meaningful relationships and a more positive outlook. You can volunteer almost anywhere, doing almost anything you can imagine. Here’s a starter list of volunteer resources. Check them out and go give it a shot.
Volunteer.gov
Volunteer.gov is a one-stop recruitment website that revolutionizes the matching of volunteer interests, ranging from natural parks to veterans’ health, with available opportunities in the public sector nationwide. You can search for opportunities by state, project or date, and no specific experience is required to find a role.
Doing Good Together
Doing Good Together connects families who want to volunteer with local nonprofits that need help. It provides listings for opportunities in 10 major metro areas: Baltimore, Boston, Miami, New York, Oakland, St. Louis, San Diego, Seattle, Silicon Valley and Twin Cities. Families can search by location to find the right opportunities for them.
United Way
United Way has been influencing positive change for more than 125 years. There are 2.8 million volunteers working with United Way to make a difference, and there are a number of ways you can get involved locally. Go to the volunteer page and type in your ZIP code to find available opportunities listed for your area.
Habitat for Humanity
With Habitat for Humanity, you have the opportunity to build in your own community as well as in communities around the world. Habitat helps families in need of decent and affordable housing and uses volunteers to work alongside homeowners, helping them build a better life.
Global Volunteers
Global Volunteers opportunities last from one to three weeks. Their “helping hands” projects may include planting container gardens, teaching English, providing health care, painting in a classroom or counseling pregnant women. Every volunteer makes a difference.
Jumpstart
Jumpstart relies on college students and community volunteers to read to students, teach reading skills and ignite kids’ interest in books. Volunteers can join the Jumpstart Corps Members and receive essential training, skills and practical experience to be better prepared for the workforce.
The Red Cross
The vital work of the American Red Cross is made possible by volunteers who contribute their unique backgrounds, talents and skill levels. The organization’s online portal makes finding volunteer opportunities easy — by taking a short quiz or simply browsing the various types of roles. You can also explore urgently needed volunteer opportunities.
JustServe
JustServe is a service to help link community volunteer needs with volunteers. Volunteers can search by projects or organizations to serve in their community and help those in need. Individual efforts don’t need to be huge — a little bit of change here or a few hours there can quickly add up to make a real difference.
GozAround
GozAround is a network for people, businesses and nonprofits looking to make a difference in their own way. Whether that’s through a virtual volunteer role or helping someone down the street, the organization believes giving back should be easy and personalized. Volunteers can sign up and input skills and preferences that suit their interests, skills, schedules and location.
AmeriCorps
Join AmeriCorps and give the gift of time. Its Find Your Fit page helps volunteers find opportunities with different time commitments and requirements, allowing you to serve in whatever capacity works for your passion, goals and lifestyle.
More Relaunch
I'm in Recovery and Ready To Work. What Do I Need To Know?
A job can bring serious benefits to your recovery, even beyond the financial ones. But it can also test you. If you understand a few things going in — or going back — you'll be golden.
Subs & Drugs & Rock & Roll, Part 3: 'I'm a Loser (And I'm Not What I Appear To Be)'
Don Fertman reaches bottom as the jelly donut hits the wall. The latest installment of the longtime Subway exec's memoir.
Subs & Drugs & Rock & Roll, Part 2: A Day in the Life
Don Fertman woke up one morning 40 years ago and poured himself a drink, as usual. But the future Subway exec didn't know this day would be far from ordinary.
Subs & Drugs & Rock & Roll, Part 1: With a Little Help From My Friends
Don Fertman, longtime Subway exec, writes about a pivotal moment in his 40 years of sobriety: what happened after he went public about his recovery on "Undercover Boss."
Here's How To Make the Office Holiday Party Recovery-Friendly
Four ways to make your holiday party more inviting to employees who are in recovery, according to the Society for Human Resource Management.
How Can I Be a Sober Ally in the Workplace?
You're not in addiction recovery, but you want to show up for people who are. Great! Here's what that looks like at the office.
Is Alcohol Big in Your Work Culture? Here's How To Sidestep — Or Talk About It
The "Mad Men" era may be over, but some workplaces can still be particularly challenging in recovery. Some pointers on putting your sobriety first.
Your Guide To Hanging Out and Making Friends in College — Sober
Doing college sans drugs and alcohol doesn't have to be a struggle. Some tips on making bonds that'll last and having a blast.