As a parent, you will know the vital role that adults play in helping children to get the best start in life. Having positive adult influences can have a signficant impact on a child as they grow and on their future aspirations. Knowing you have the potential to make a positive difference to the life of a young person is an excellent feeling, and you may be keen to play your part. However, knowing where to start and how best you can help can be confusing. The great news is there are many ways that you can get involved and help a young person thrive. Here, you will find lots of tips to inspire you on how you can help young people in your community.
Consider Fostering
Information from the Administration on Children, Youth, and Families AFCARS Report shows that there are over 391,000 children in foster care in the United States. Unfortunately, many children are still waiting for a foster care placement to become available and are missing out on living as part of a family. Offering foster care for a child is one of the most significant ways to make a difference in a young person’s life. Welcoming a child into your family can help provide them with stability and a safe, secure environment where they can enjoy their childhood. If you have the availability and space to welcome a child into your home, you can make a dramatic positive difference in their life.
Volunteer at a Youth Group
Youth groups provide a place where kids can enjoy a range of activities and socialize with their peers. The activities offered by many youth groups help to enrich children’s lives by providing a wide range of fun things to do. From games to arts, crafts, and sports, kids can try all kinds of activities when they attend a youth group. If you have a spare few hours each week, you may want to offer your time and volunteer to help out at a youth group. The organizers of the group are sure to always be looking for extra volunteers to assist and provide help and support for the kids.
If you like the idea of a bigger challenge and want to play a crucial role in helping young people in your community, you may want to launch your own youth group. If your local area does not have a youth group yet, starting one could provide local kids with an excellent opportunity to socialize safely.
Share Your Skills
Everyone has their own unique set of skills and knowledge. If you choose, you could look for opportunities to share yours and use your knowledge and skills for the benefit of others. Sharing your skills can take the form of coaching kids, being a mentor, or even helping out at your local school. Whether you have IT skills, have enjoyed sporting success, or work in a profession that could inspire the future generation, sharing your skills will surely be appreciated.