5 Virtual Ways Arcadia Students Can Help Their Community

Community service, especially in a time like this, is very valued—especially since those who are less fortunate are suffering a great deal due to the pandemic. 

Given that we are encouraged to stay inside, how exactly can we give back to our community from the comfort of our own homes? The answer to that is very simple—in fact, there are several answers. Here are a variety of ways you can give back without harming yourself or others in the process! 

UNV connects you with organizations working for peace and development in need of skills like research, writing, art, and design. More than 12,000 volunteers from 187 countries already are lending their talents to organizations around the globe. If you’re interested in a position to help people all around the world, then this is definitely the place for you. 

Become a volunteer to help the Crisis Text Line continue to offer free, 24/7 support for those in crisis. If you’re at least 18 and commit to volunteering four hours each week, you can apply to be trained for free. The Crisis Text Line helps people dealing with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and many other conditions, which have been exacerbated as a result of the coronavirus. 

This website encourages young people to help in their communities. You can sign up online to help with real world problems.  Campaigns range from creating masks for those in need to taking action online against systemic racism by signing petitions and starting conversations. 

I find this to be the coolest way to help your community on this list. It is an app where you can be the eyes for someone who is blind and help them do things like grocery shopping by pointing out to them things they want to buy in the store. It is very interesting and helps people all around the world who suffer from blindness and need guidance in their day-to-day lives 

This is an online social networking community for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) individuals. Online volunteers monitor the TrevorSpace site in an effort to maintain a safe online space for young LGBTQ people between 13-24 years old. It also assists their friends and allies. Training for online volunteers is provided quarterly, and anyone can sign up to be a part of this amazing organization.