DisneyHAND
Show Your Character
Home Volunteer Tips for Kids
Introduction Find a Problem to Solve Designing a Community Service Project Work With Others Planning Your Project When Your Project is Over
Planning Your Project
 
  What is the goal of the project?
Think about what you're trying to achieve. In the examples given young people helped feed the hungry, refurbished a homeless shelter and collected clothing.
 
 
Who is the project leader?
It's always important to have a project leader and a clear understanding of who's in charge. Think about any help you might need from adults in leading the project.
 
Who else should you include?
Think about different groups that you might need help from or want to include: friends, siblings, parents, teachers or anyone else. Remember that working with other people increases the impact (and fun!) of your project.
Aladdin Where will the service take place?
If you're organizing a group to work with a community-based organization, make sure you know where to go and how to get there. If your project needs space, such as a place to collect clothing, think about who might donate space-maybe your school, a community center or a church.
 
What money do you need?
Make a list of any money you'll need to spend. You may need to cover supply costs if you can't get them donated or pay to help transport volunteers to the service location. Be creative in finding money. Have a car wash to raise money, or ask local businesses to sponsor your project by donating cash in return for you publicizing their support.
 
  What supplies do you need?
For example, if you are making books for children in the local homeless shelter, you may need paper, paint, markers, and scissors. If you're painting an elderly person's house, you'll need paint, brushes, plastic sheeting, and tape. Maybe an art class has leftover materials, or maybe a local store would be willing to donate supplies.
 
 
How will you get there?
Public transportation and carpools are the two most common solutions. You might also talk to bus or van services, senior citizens' groups, schools, and local civic groups that can help. It may also be possible for the service to come to you instead of you going to the service. For example, you can make treat bags for hospitalized children at a central location and then arrange delivery with the hospital. Or ask a taxi company to deliver the bags as a donation to the project.
 
What safety measures should you think about?
Lastly, make sure to think about the safety issues involved. Do you need your volunteers to sign a permission slip? Find out about liability concerns the community-based organization you are working with might have. List names and phone numbers of people to contact in case of an emergency. Have a first-aid kit on site. And if you're using equipment or supplies that could be dangerous, provide training on how to use them. You should also have an adult help in case something goes wrong.
 
 
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