By
Adam Troy
As COVID-19 has dramatically impacted all aspects of daily life, there remains a widening gap and need for community support around the world.
This interconnectedness presents a dilemma, as the world is more in need of volunteers and extra hands than ever before. While vaccines are rolled out and many states have initiated plans to re-open, we are still advised to social distance and avoid large crowds, making it difficult to volunteer in-person.
To meet increasing community need, several organizations have transformed their programs so that volunteering and donating can be done safely, from your own home. There are a variety of virtual volunteer opportunities including online teaching, web design, translating, and researching.
In honor of National Volunteer Week, we’ve aggregated a handful of organizations that are creating at-home volunteer opportunities. If you are able, we hope you’ll join the SpeakEasy Team and consider contributing your time, skills, and talents:
Mission:
Turnout Nation is a non-partisan community that encourages volunteers to become Voting Captains. Voting captions are responsible for encouraging 10 people in their own social networks to vote in every election and advocate for voting rights. They’re building a community of Voting Captains from all over the United States with the common goal of raising voter turnout and improving representation. Responsibilities include helping recruit, organize, and engage Voting Captains in your community.
Volunteer Opportunities:
There will also be an opportunity to work on a voter education project with other fellows. According to a Tufts Circle 2020 report, nearly ⅓ of young people would participate in civic engagement if given an easy opportunity. Not only do fellows help raise turnout in a local election, they offer a first step for many in becoming more civically engaged in future elections or movements.
Mission:
The League of Women Voters of the United States encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
Volunteer Opportunities:
There are several opportunities to virtually take action at LWV, such as supporting democratic reform by telling your senator to pass the For the People Act and virtually standing up for DC Statehood!
Mission:
Geeks without Bounds is an international coalition of passionate problem solvers working together through the use of technology to assist people whose survival is threatened due to violence, neglect, or catastrophe.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Online volunteers need to be experienced, credible IT experts and need to establish a relationship with this organization before a crisis. Volunteers work to improve access to communication and technology to impacted communities.
Mission:
The Fund for Global Health is a non-partisan, non-profit aid and advocacy organization, that works with Congress on policy improvements and increasing funding for selected U.S. global health and humanitarian aid programs.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Volunteers for the Fund for Global Health connect with their Members of Congress and Senators on the State and Foreign Operations subcommittee of Appropriations in support of funding increases and policy improvements for global health programs. Their key goals are:: eradicating tuberculosis, providing primary health care in humanitarian situations, and increasing government accountability.
Mission:
The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 after the Second World War by 51 countries committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights.
Volunteer Opportunities:
The UN runs a virtual program connecting volunteers to organizations worldwide. You can assist in writing and editing, translation, technology services, teaching, research and advocacy! Click here to check it out!
Mission:
The DEFEND Committee (“DEFEND”) is a 100% volunteer-run, nonprofit organization striving to defend children and other vulnerable people from predators (and other risks) on social media across Canada, the United States and around the world.
Volunteer Opportunities:
DEFEND has countless volunteer opportunities. To name a few, the organization is looking for Social Media and Technology Team leads, musicians and composers, researchers, and podcast writers!
Mission:
Translators without Borders (TWB) is a non-profit organization offering language and translation support for humanitarian and development agencies, and other non-profit organizations on a global scale.
Volunteer Opportunities:
You can volunteer with TWB if you are fluent in at least one language other than your native language. Whether you are interested in translating medical texts or translating for crisis response, there are engaging projects available to suit all preferences!
Mission:
As the largest not-for-profit exclusively for young people and social change, DoSomething’s millions of members represent every US area code and 131 countries.
Volunteer Opportunities:
At DoSomething, you can choose a campaign to make an impact, win scholarships, and earn volunteer credits. Volunteer opportunities include: donating clothes to protect the planet, creating DIY masks for vulnerable communities, and many more!
Mission:
Team Blue is the Democratic National Committee’s volunteer recruitment program to help get people plugged into campaign and volunteer opportunities across the country.
Volunteer Opportunities:
You can sign up to help with future text banks and canvassing as opportunities become available around the election calendar, and register as a Project Battleground Ambassador, where you can curate content and add members to your state’s facebook group!
Virtual volunteering is a great way to eliminate so many barriers that COVID-19 has created, and we can all do our part to support one another during this time.
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