Hands on, off campus Action Projects for TYGs and NFTY Regions

What type of direct service projects can my TYG or Region do around our city?

• Midnight Run- NFTYites hand out hygiene goods to homeless people 
• Neighborhood/Temple Area/Public Park Garage Clean-up 
• Visit a Nursing home, Center for Prevention of Abuse, center for the disabled 
• Volunteer at a soup kitchen, Ronald McDonald House, homeless shelter, battered women’s shelter, food pantry, clothing closets

To find a place to volunteer off campus:

• Contact your Temple adult Social Action Committee and clergy. The adults in your congregation may already have a partnership with an organization where your TYG can volunteer. 
• Ask your school friends and teachers about volunteer opportunities in your community. 
• Visit websites like serve.gov and dosomething.org. Here, you can type in your zip code and the website lists places where you can volunteer!

To initiate the project:

• Ask your TYG or Regional advisor about your budget. Do you have the funds to leave your Temple or event location? If not, can you trouble shoot? 
• Can parents drive to the designated location? Can the participants walk? Use public transportation? 
• Can you charge more for the event to pay for buses?
• If you do not have the money to go off campus, consider planning a service project or educational program at your Temple such as packaging meals or inviting in a guest speaker. 
• With the help of your advisor, contact the organization where you want to volunteer. Explain how many teen volunteers will attend the event and when you are available. Hint: if you have a large group like at a Regional event, it is easier to break the group into smaller groups to volunteer at several organizations at the same time. 
• When you promote the event, promote the direct service component. Remind participants if they need to bring certain apparel. 
• Save the contact information of the volunteer coordinator at each volunteer sight. Send a quick, “We can’t wait to volunteer this Sunday” email to the volunteer coordinator the week before your event to make sure you are on the same page.

Follow up

• Send a thank you note to the organization you volunteered for. 
• Choose one project and stick with it. Make a commitment such as leading services at an elderly home twice a month or tutoring students once a week; consistent meetings and commitment will let participants witness lasting change.