Volunteers restore Piedra Lisa Canyon by
cleaning graffiti, garbage, and planting shrubs to curb erosion.
This volunteer project was led by
City of Albuquerque Open Space Division & Nicodemus Wilderness Project.
Benefits of Volunteering
Volunteering allows you to meet people, learn new skills, explore career options, and give back to your community. It's also something that you can put on a college application to show that you are committed and able to manage priorities.
Nonprofits are excited when youth and teenagers volunteer because you bring energy and a fresh perspective! Here is everything that you'll need to get started as a volunteer at a nonprofit organization.
Step 1: Pinpoint your Passion
- Make a list of causes that you are excited about (ex: arts and culture, media and broadcasting, LGBTQ rights, etc.)
- Decide if you are interested in a one-time volunteer opportunity or something that will be ongoing
- Think about if you prefer to interact with people or work alone
- Consider any skills that you would like to learn or skills that you already have that you would like to use
- Figure out what days/times you are able to volunteer, keeping in mind your transportation needs
Tip: Invite a friend or family member to volunteer with you!
Step 2: Connect with a Nonprofit
You can do this one of two ways:
1. Check out current volunteer opportunities:
- Visit New Mexico Volunteer Connection to find a volunteer opportunity that fits your passion
- You can do an Advanced Search by areas of interest, skills needed, city where you want to volunteer, or you can search for volunteer opportunities specifically for teenagers
- Look through the different volunteer opportunities and find two or three that you'd like to try
- To see if the volunteer position is a good fit for you, click the red Volunteer Now button at the top of the listing to submit your contact information to the organization, or if they included a phone number give them a call
2. Search for a nonprofit organization:
- Visit the New Mexico Nonprofit Directory to find an organization working on issues that you care about
- You can Browse by Name
- You can also do an Advanced Search by the population they serve, the county that they serve, the county where they are located (not always the same as where they serve), or NTEE Code (this is a helpful governement code system to classify the type of work an organization does - i.e., animal related, civil rights, housing)
Tip: Nonprofit volunteer coordinators will be happy that you are interested to volunteer at their organization, so don't be nervous to call them!
Here are some things you can say when you call:
Hello, my name is ___. I am a student at ___and I am ___ years old. May I speak with your volunteer coordinator?
[When you get them on the line, reintroduce yourself.]
I am interested in volunteering and am available on ___ (available days). I would like to volunteer ___ hours each day. Can you tell me what types of volunteer opportunities you have available?
Here are some other questions you might ask:
1. What would I be doing as a volunteer?
2. Do I need to fill out a volunteer application or come in for a volunteer interview?
3. Will there be any training before I start volunteering?
4. Are there special clothes that I need to wear?
Tip: Be prepared on your end with a pen and paper so you can take notes. And if you have other questions, write them down in advance so you don't forget to ask!
Step 3: Enjoying your Volunteer Experience
- Make sure you know where to go for your volunteer position and arrive 15 minutes early
- Don't be afraid to ask questions on your first day and throughout your time as a volunteer
- On your last day, thank the people at the organization for the opportunity to volunteer
- If you have enjoyed your experience, ask the person that you work with if they are willing to write a letter of recommendation or serve as a reference in the future