Summer is a time when many people travel, visit family, and celebrate holidays; however, not everyone is able to those activities. Indeed, while others go on vacation, some people need help with housing, food, or someone to talk to about challenges in life.

Many organizations dedicate their time to giving people the help they need. However, they need volunteers to make everything run smoothly. If you would like to volunteer your time to help put a smile on people’s faces, here are a few places that are looking for volunteers during the 2023 summer break(and before).

Fresno County libraries

The Fresno County public libraries have many opportunities for high school and middle school-aged students with all different skill sets. You can help organize books, read to little ones, and assist with activities. The public libraries have events every week and they differ from library to library. If you are interested in helping out at the library, you can find more information at teens.fresnolibrary.org/volunteer.

Boys and Girls club

The Boys and Girls Club is an organization that was founded in 1860 by Mary Goodwin, Alice Goodwin, and Elizabeth Hammersley to get boys off the streets and into positive activities that could benefit them and get them far in life. It started as a boy’s club then became a boys and girls club to acknowledge that girls’ futures are important too.

Today, they work to set children on a path to a successful, healthy life by assisting with creating a plan and helping them stick to their goals. They have volunteer opportunities for teens and adults who enjoy working with children and can assist with homework, and activities, or be a mentor for the little ones.

To help, you can ask a local club about their wish list of needs and donate what you can. More information is available at bgcfresno.org.

Habitat for Humanity

To build new homes, assist in revitalizing homes for families in need, or beautify your community, Habitat for Humanity in the greater Fresno area has many opportunities.

You can choose what area you want to help in based on your needs. Volunteer starts at 14-16 with an adult present. Students aged 16-18 can volunteer if they get a waiver signed by their parents. Those over 18 can volunteer on their own. If you want to learn more, head over to habitatfresno.org/volunteer and check it out.

No one should die alone
As we get older simple tasks become more difficult and many people need assistance with their housekeeping or just somebody to talk to in their day-to-day life. If you enjoy talking, singing, reading, or playing an instrument, the organization No One Should Die Alone is looking for volunteers to provide companionship to elderly people in their last days. This is a difficult task emotionally, but it will also make you glad that you get to help people out in this way. More information is available at nosdaf.com/volunteer.

Poverello house

With numbers over 4,000 homeless people, Fresno County has a large number of individuals in need of food and shelter. These people struggle in their day-to-day lives and Poverello House’s mission is to provide meals and shelter to those in need. They have volunteer opportunities year-round as they need help with getting supplies and events organized and running smoothly. Visit poverellohouse.org to get more information.

If you have any free time this summer break, check out these organizations and see what you can do to help. A bit of help can go a long way and is appreciated by the organizations and people they help. Volunteering is a great way to make yourself feel better while helping others feel better or get back on the right track. Even if long-term volunteering is not for you, you can say you made a difference that day.