Volunteer Work in Retirement: Giving Back While Staying Active

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You may be bored or just want to give back to the community. Whatever your reasons are, many volunteer opportunities are waiting for you. Some of them are unique.

But what’s available? Many nonprofit organizations in your area could use volunteers, and some abroad would also benefit from your help.

Work With Puppies for Assistance Programs

Canine Companions for Independence is the largest provider of assistance dogs in the United States. They provide trained dogs to people with disabilities. No one is charged for these dogs.

Canine Companions use volunteers to raise the puppies and prepare them for their future job. Although Canine Companions has six training centers, you don’t need to live near one to participate.

They give you a puppy to raise from eight weeks to 18 months. You will be responsible for attending puppy classes, teaching basic commands, and socializing. Monthly reports must be submitted, and you cover the cost of care. These expenses are typically tax deductible.

If that’s too much for you, assist in organizing events to promote the organization. For more information, visit their website or call 800-572-BARK (2275).

Peace Corps

It’s not too late to join the Peace Corps. They have a 50-plus initiative where the federal government is asking older adults to participate.

Retirees bring professional experience, maturity, and skills that young people don’t possess yet. As a volunteer, you could be trained and placed in farming or teaching.

Service lasts from three months to two years, and expenses, including preventative health care, are covered.

AmeriCorps a Network of National Service

If you want to stay closer to home, AmeriCorps is looking for Americans 55 and older.

Three programs take different approaches, but they all aim to improve lives and foster civic engagement.

Volunteers address critical community needs. They provide academic tutoring and mentoring. They also will offer elderly care, disaster relief support and more.

Working in Various Parks

Local, state, and national parks are hungry for volunteers. There are opportunities for people of any knowledge or experience level. But some volunteers must have specific knowledge.

Some of the volunteer work you could be doing includes serving as a guide, invasive plant removal, or campground host.

Work for the USO

The United Services Organization is 77 years old and committed to supporting military men and women. You can support the military through special events, greeting homecoming vets, or simply giving them someone to listen to.

To learn more and volunteer, visit their website or email [email protected].

Deliver Food to Home-Bound

Meals on Wheels delivers food to older adults. The organization has over 5,000 locations and a strong base of volunteers. You must have a car. Volunteers can work as often as they like, so you’re not expected to work daily. Deliveries take place at lunch.

Foster Grandparents Program Rewarding

Serving as a foster grandparent is the ultimate way to give back to the community. You'll educate, mentor, and care for needy children in your area.

Many churches and schools have Foster Grandparents Programs. Contact your local school or church. You can also contact Ameri Corp for opportunities.

Animal Shelters for the Animal Lovers

Check with your local animal shelter about volunteering. You could provide animal care, volunteer for fund-raising events, or offer phone support. There are many opportunities available to help animals.

Help Young Professionals With Big & Mini and Career Village

Big & Mini is a national mentoring system connecting seasoned adults with young professionals just starting their careers.

You are matched with young people with similar interests and professional aspirations. And connect with them via phone calls.

Career Village is an online forum with a network of 80,000 experienced volunteers. You sign up for notifications when questions relevant to your expertise are posted, then sign on to the site and answer them.

Providing Companionship to Hospice

There are many volunteer opportunities at hospices. One way to help is to provide companionship to patients at the end of their life.

Hospices also need help with clerical or administrative duties. Volunteers are also needed to sew teddy bears, quilts, hats and other stuffed animals. Many volunteers also make fidget mats for people with dementia.

What to Do Before Volunteering

If you want to volunteer for a nonprofit, visit their website to ensure the organization has 501(c) (3) information. You always want to know that an organization is legitimate. Check the organization’s reviews to ensure that you feel comfortable with them

Decide what type of tasks you want to do when you volunteer and find organizations that offer those opportunities. For example, if you want to mentor, choose an organization that provides that opportunity. If you want to sew, choose accordingly.

Explore how well the opportunity aligns with your skills and schedule. Then, ask yourself how long you want to commit.

Volunteering in Retirement

Volunteering can be very rewarding. There are many organizations that need your skills and knowledge. But don’t feel you need to be locked into a long-term commitment. It should be fulfilling, not feel like a job.

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