You're only one woman, but the things you do can absolutely make a difference – and not just in the lives of others. Partnering up with an organization for a cause you're passionate about can change your life. It can advance your career, grant a greater sense of perspective, fill up free time with fulfillment, and break open Pandora's boxes of ideas. When it comes to volunteering, having fun means you're doing it right. Here are 5 summer volunteer opportunities that will make you, and Vancouver, smile this summer.
The Women's Health Collective is a downtown east side space that welcomes anyone and everyone who identifies as a woman. The organization aims to empower each user to take control of their own health through free nurse practitioner appointments, a feminist library, clothing and toiletries donations and free baked goods daily. Come hang out with the super awesome ladies who run this space with a smile and a zest for life.
This crew aims to restore, conserve, and enhance the natural environment in Vancouver – that includes parks, urban gardens and non profit farms. Over the last two years, they've run 75 habitat restoration events in 11 lower mainland municipalities. If you care about the environment and local food production, get out and get down and dirty with the LMGT.
Farmers markets are such an inspiring community to be a part of. They gather a diverse crew of activists, artisans and all round passionate souls. Make this summer the summer you discover what a huge difference a few like minded energetic people with green thumbs (or just real zest for good food), can make in a city, in terms of sustainability, food security, and infrastructure.
Lookout Society provides housing to the shelterless, connects them to services in the community, offers direction and help. Volunteers are needed for baking classes, fitness classes, gardening coordination, activity aide, and a lot more. Whatever you skill set, there's a space for you to lend a hand here.
Like the idea of guerilla gardening? Green Street gardens recruit volunteers to plant city gardens on traffic circles. The goal is to extent gardens beyond front yards. See for yourself how gardens revolutionize a community on street level.
