Helping others is a great way for your son to learn about himself and lend a hand to those who may need help. Volunteering boosts self-esteem in many young people and is a chance to see things they may not be regularly exposed to.

Promoting Volunteerism

There is a never-ending supply of places that need help. You can help your son find the best place for him by looking at his strengths and passions.

When considering locations to volunteer, consider the following issues:

• Location of the task

• Skills required for the task

• People involved with the task

• Hours required for completion of the task

• Length of commitment

• Training involved

• Safety of the location and task

• Any other requirements

Let your son have the final say after you have discussed the pros and cons of each volunteer opportunity. Talk with him about the benefits of certain forms of training and his desires and goals for the future. For example, if he wants to be a teacher, volunteering as a chess coach or reading teacher at a local elementary school may be a great fit. If your son wants to be a writer, he could volunteer to help at a senior center by organizing a community-based newspaper. If he wants to be a veterinarian, he can help at the local animal shelter.

Service Hours

Schools understand the value of helping others and what it teaches young men. In fact, many schools have organizational requirements for students to volunteer for a set number of hours each semester. Other schools have extracurricular organizations that are based on volunteer work.

If the organization is service based, the number of hours may be great. Some schools have a thirty-to fifty-hour service requirement per semester. This is a lot of hours, but it can be met in many different ways. Have your son talk to the advisor to see if any activities he is currently volunteering in will count. Creativity and flexibility are important here.