When individuals work together for positive social change, the whole community moves forward. Through the Palisades-Malibu YMCA’s Center for Social Responsibility, volunteers respond to society’s most pressing needs by developing innovative, community-based solutions and uniting people from all walks of life.
Volunteering benefits the volunteer. Research conducted locally by the Palisades-Malibu Y through the Search Institute (www.searchinstitute.org) indicated that families are spending more time in individualized sedentary activity and less time sharing activities related to strong values and developing habits of daily fitness. This trend, which correlates with national scientific research, may lead today’s generation of school-aged children to have shorter, less healthy and less fulfilling lives.
Children who are cocooned “safely” indoors with sedentary activities are put at risk for physical health concerns: lack of exercise can lead to obesity, diabetes and a shorter lifespan. These are compounded by developmental concerns: lack of the broader interpersonal life-lessons that build leadership skills.
Together, these deficits diminish children’s ability to thrive as adults. Personal exploration is key to child development. Educators and youth leaders know how motivating it can be for young people to discover their “sparks” – those activities and interests that truly engage kids to be their best.
Discovering those sparks can help students express their personalities and make unique contributions to the world. Adults need sparks, too – discoveries through volunteering can include new careers, hobbies and friendships.
Optimistic neighbors take the lead. Those who assume the best and open their lives to be dependent on their friends and neighbors give their children the tools to thrive: a human ladder to success, happiness and health. Caring families look out for local children, as if they were their own, while they play in the neighborhood. Outdoor activities encourage creative play development, leadership and team-building skills; children find wisdom from trusted inter-generational relationships beyond immediate family members.
Lead by example and teach generosity. Make community service a priority in 2014. Select one service project or charity that would benefit from on-going participation, or explore a new need every month. Here are some ways to get started:
LOCAL
Every neighborhood has needs and resources. Take the time to meet the people who live on your block. Instead of grumbling about the overgrown yard of an elderly resident, organize a work party to help and meet some new friends in the process. Children can gain from lessons in gardening while relating to local elders.
Palisades-based organizations need volunteers, too. Consider putting these regularly scheduled events on your calendar every month in 2014:
Native Plant Garden, Temescal Canyon Road just below Sunset. Work days are held on the last Saturday of every month, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ppgardenclub@verizon.net.
Palisades Village Green, Sunset Boulevard at Swarthmore and Antioch. Work days: Third Saturday of each month, 9 – 11 a.m. palisasdesvillagegreen.org.
Los Angeles and Beyond: Start by identifying areas of interest, such as animal care, veterans support or children’s activities. For example, Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church volunteers cook and serve dinner at Turning Point Transitional Housing Center in Santa Monica one Saturday per month. Palisades Cares organizes service projects around the city for MLK Day in January and “Big Sunday” in May. Contact Kia Green at the YMCA for additional opportunities and to help explore your passions through service: zakiagreen@ymcala.org or 310-454-5591.
GLOBAL
Supporting the needy around the world can be as easy as making a donation online, but it can also be a wonderful adventure for the family. From an orphanage in Tijuana to disaster recovery in the Philippines, the world is full of ways to make a difference. Consider a volunteer vacation this summer – there are many resources online to help guide a meaningful and educational trip abroad.
The Palisades-Malibu YMCA is a non-profit organization that depends on the generosity of local residents to keep programs going and doors open to everyone who needs a place to go to help them be more healthy, confident, connected and secure. The Y is a powerful association of men, women and children, joined together by a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility.
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