We’re about to get through the thick of midterms and now deadlines for program service hours are creeping up! Though there are plenty of traditional options to get your charitable side engaged, there are also some really neat options you can do with friends that are not always common knowledge! Here are six places to volunteer this fall!
The DMA is a central part of downtown Dallas, right next to Klyde Warren Park. Not only is it a beautiful space to spend a day, but a really great option to get some volunteer hours!
One of the options is to become a DMA Ambassador. You get to be a representative for the DMA at off-campus events, but you must be able to commit for at least 1 year.
You can also work in their Center for Creative Connections, which is a space in the museum where they make the art a bit more interactive, so you greet patrons, clean up with them and engage in conversation! I worked in this position and absolutely loved it.
Finally you can volunteer to help with Arts and Letters Live and have the opportunity to work book signings and events with visiting artists!
The Red Cross has volunteer opportunities to deliver services, be a disaster worker, prepare families and ease suffering of families. Volunteers are a HUGE part of The Red Cross in Dallas, so fill out an application to become a part of that!
This organization has been around since 2007 and purely works to spread some happiness to those who need it. Browsing through their upcoming events, it seems that a lot of their events work to feed those that don’t always have a steady source of food.
This. Is. AMAZING. With The Humane Society of Dallas County, you can volunteer to be a cat socializer or a dog socializer, meaning you get to play and be with animals and earn hours for it. There are also positions to be a cat condo helper, and adoption inspector as well as many more administrative volunteer positions. I don’t think it needs much more explanation. This is such a cool opportunity; check it out!
Here is another fun way to be involved in the culture of Dallas! The Dallas Opera seeks volunteers for education, special events, organizations, fundraising, administrative and box-office. Not only do you get to be surrounded by really talented professionals, you may get to witness the shows and interact with some interesting people from around Dallas!
This last option is extremely unique. The Vickery Trading company teaches refugee women to sew and how to work in a business environment! They earn fair wages for the work they produce, and they are looking for volunteers to help with mentoring, programming, fashion/business, and childcare!
HC SMU senior editor Grace Reon says, “I intern at Vickery Trading company. It’s a nonprofit that offers job training, ESL and cultural assimilation services for refugee women. We’re always looking for volunteers for stuff like reading practice, and English conversation practice and help with typing classes.”
For more opportunities to get involved around Dallas, check out the website, Volunteer Match, for upcoming chances to volunteer!