Spend time with young children in your community

Let's face it, children are fun! They see the world with bright eyes, and help us remember what is really important in life. But they also look up to us and learn from our example. Spending time with children is a win-win for you and for the child. You don't need to be an expert in child development to make a difference, but you will probably learn a lot yourself.

Here are some suggestions on how to get started:

• Your church or place of worship may organize children's events or have a child care or preschool program that needs volunteers. Contact the administrative office or check their website for more information.
• Many companies offer their employees paid release time to volunteer during the work day. Some employers also develop relationships with local nonprofits to organize volunteer opportunities for staff. Speak with your Human Resources representative about including volunteering at early learning programs in the company's volunteer efforts.
• Many United Way agencies post volunteer opportunities on their websites. You can find the website for the United Way near you at the United Way of Pennsylvania website.
• Head Start programs are in every community and many welcome volunteers. Visit the Pennsylvania Head Start Association website to locate the Head Start program in your community.
• Your local community engagement group may also know of fun family activities that need volunteers. Contact the CEG coordinator and ask about volunteer opportunities.