Earning a community service cord at graduation is a goal for many students at The Nest, but finding the required 100 volunteer hours can be both challenging and an opportunity. While some wait until the last minute and struggle to find opportunities, those who take the right approach can efficiently complete their hours while gaining meaningful experiences.

Counselor clerk Shannon Webre encourages students to be proactive in seeking volunteer opportunities.

“There is a list of volunteer opportunities on the Community Service tile off the Counselors Corner website,” Webre said. “There are many more opportunities to earn volunteer hours as they can contact local hospitals, senior centers, animal shelters, churches, etc.”

Webre acknowledges that time management can be difficult for many students to complete their hours.

“Students are busy with life in general,” Webre said. “I suspect they simply don’t think they have time to fit this in.”

For Tanisha Prakash, a senior, finding her first volunteer opportunity involved researching options that aligned with her interests.

“I found my first volunteer opportunity at Best Brains by searching online for local tutoring or mentorship programs,” Prakash said

Time management plays a crucial role in balancing schoolwork and volunteering for Prakash. 

“I make time for volunteering by scheduling it around my regular commitments,” Prakash said. 

For senior Nethra Sureshbabu Poornima, volunteering started as a connection through a friend and soon became a meaningful experience.

“I found my first volunteer opportunity in Hanuman Temple through a friend of mine who was already involved, and it sparked my interest to join in and help out,” Sureshbabu Poornima said.

Sureshbabupoornima also highlighted the importance of enjoying the work to make volunteering more effortless and more fulfilling.

“To get hours easily, volunteer in areas you love, as it makes it more enjoyable,” Sureshbabu Poornima said.

Despite the challenges, Webre emphasizes the long-term benefits of volunteering.

“It broadens a student’s awareness of many things: challenges others face, differences in cultures, socio-economic differences, etc.,” Webre said. “Hopefully, the student will also develop a sense of empathy and awareness from their experiences.”