10 Rewarding Volunteer Opportunities for Seniors and Retirees

Man in a red cross coat - senior volunteer opportunities
[rank_math_breadcrumb]

10 Rewarding Volunteer Opportunities for Seniors and Retirees

Volunteering for Seniors and Retirees Often Makes a Great Fit

In many ways, life is really just beginning for seniors and retirees. Volunteer Opportunities do abound during these golden years and all year the Spirit of the Holidays can carry our soul into a joyful space. Hopefully, the kids can join in and your job will understand the value of the joyful brightness of a volunteer in their midst. Volunteer Opportunities can help enrich your soul. Volunteer Opportunities are a great way to help an active senior loved one or retiree feel more meaning in their life. We can all get a lot out of volunteering! Read on and discover ten fulfilling opportunities that seniors, retirees and our own selves can do to invigorate the spirit. Let’s get out there and give back to the community in new ways.

1. Peace Corps

The Peace Corps isn’t just for kids looking to find themselves after college. This non-profit organization does a tremendous amount of good all over the world, and nearly 10 percent of its volunteers are 50 years old or older. Older Peace Corps volunteers are often looked to as team leaders and can contribute a great deal of wisdom and life experience to Peace Corps operations. If the idea of going to a third-world nation as an older person scares you, don’t worry, over 90 percent of today’s Peace Corps volunteers have access to cell phones and the Internet among the modern comforts that they can enjoy.

2. Habitat for Humanity

A well-known non-profit group that brings homes to people who need them and repairs homes for people who have them but can’t afford to fix them, Habitat for Humanity is a great way for seniors to get out and get involved with the community. Habitat for Humanity has many retired volunteers working in disaster relief zones and other vital areas, and retirees are the heart of the “RV Care-A-Vanners,” a program of volunteers who drive their own RVs to help out with home-building needs.

3. Helping Veterans

Veterans have done so much for our country, and as a retiree, you have a chance to give something back. Whether you were a veteran yourself and want to help those who have found themselves in less fortunate circumstances than your own, or you simply want to do your part to serve your country, helping veterans is a great way to do it. Look into the Veterans Affairs Volunteer Service Program of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, or VAVS, which supports wounded veterans through the VA medical care system and provides services to homeless veterans, too.

4. Helping Kids

Maybe your own grandkids are far away, or you don’t have grandchildren in your life but still have a lot of love and guidance to share. Volunteers are a priceless asset to work with and help children, including the Senior Corps Foster Grandparent Program, hospital volunteer programs, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

5. Tour Guide

If you’ve lived in a certain area for years, then chances are good that you probably know it pretty well. If you can still drive, providing tour guide services for your city can be a great, low-pressure way for you to help visitors get to know what’s so great about your home. If you’d prefer not to drive, volunteering at a park or museum is another great way you can impart the knowledge that you’ve collected over the years to a new generation.

6. English Teacher

English is one of the most commonly used languages across the world and there are still plenty of people who need help learning to speak it, read it and write it. Whether it’s in another country or in your own community, your English skills can help change lives.

7. Hunger Relief

While many seniors benefit from hunger-relief programs, they can contribute to them, too. Help your fellow seniors and those who have fallen on hard times by being a part of a hunger relief program like Meals on Wheels.

8. Disaster Relief

When disaster strikes, relief personnel tend to need all the help they can get. If you’ve got medical experience, that’s fantastic, but you don’t need it to help with disaster relief. Disaster relief organizations welcome volunteers for not only medicine and nursing, but also handling supplies, doing administrative tasks, providing comfort to victims, and so much more.

9. Politics and Seniors? You Bet!

Some people may feel that being politically active is only for the young, but most of the people who actually decide policy are probably closer to your age. You don’t have to run for office yourself (although you could), as there are plenty of other ways to volunteer politically, from getting the word out about your candidate, to hosting a meeting for political organizers.

10. Animal Shelters

If you’ve had a pet before, then you already know how rewarding relationships with animals can be for both pet and human companion. Volunteer at your local shelter and you’ll help to protect local pets while you get a lot of love in return.  

FacebookFacebook

FacebooktwitterpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterpinterestlinkedinmail

  • BEGIN YOUR SEARCH

    First Name

    Email

  • RESOURCES

  • AFFILIATIONS

    Oregon Senior Referral Agency AssociationOregon Gerontological Association
    Senior Resource Group Modesto
    NW Clackamas County Chamber
    NPRA

    • Sign Up. Learn More. Get local custom help to start your verified senior care search.

     

    First Name

    Email

    Send our QR code to a Friend 

    Primary Phone Number:

    OR 503.723.714

    CA 209.222.7138

    NoCa Office Address:

    PO Box 578831

    Modesto, CA 95357

    Contact Our Office!