Volunteering presents an opportunity for teenagers to prepare for the future, as well as support their communities. It boosts social skills and increases awareness of local organizations and social issues.
New Skills: With each new volunteer activity comes training. These skills are a great foundation for a job in management, accounting, or running a small business.
Adding to the Resume: Commitment to community volunteer work over time shows that a teen is willing to work for something without monetary compensation--much like a college internship, apprenticeship or job shadow experience--which may be a requirement of college programs.
Giving Time: Teens who are busy with after-school sports or work to help support their families and still make time to volunteer on evenings or weekends show outstanding character and resolve to make a difference.
Showing Responsibility: Committing to a volunteer position shows responsibility. Teens working on becoming more reliable should get involved in volunteer programs relating to their hobbies to naturally build responsibility.
IH PTSA COMMUNITY SERVICE
The IH PTSA is proud to sponsor the IH PTSA Community Service Program, designed to recognize students’ contributions throughout our community through service. Community Service hours are reported to IH PTSA throughout each year. The IH PTSA tabulates and submits the total hours reported to the school for special recognition at graduation. Each student completing 100 or more Community Service Hours will receive a certificate and white cord at graduation.
It was started in 2013 as a way to recognize students for their commitment to helping others and their community. As recognition, students who meet a minimum of 100 hours to receive their Community Service Honor Cord to be worn at graduation. For more information, visit the IH PTSA website.
What are Community Service Hours?
Community Service Hours are hours spent volunteering to perform services without pay or other compensation (except recognition and appreciation) for the good of an individual, an agency, the community or society.
What Counts as Community Service?
Hours performed outside school, without pay or compensation.
Hours volunteered after 8th grade promotion. So the summer between 8th and 9th grade counts.
Hours for class credit such as for Health, Sports Medicine and Music do not count.
Interning, shadowing, and training hours do not count.
Only actual working/volunteering hours count. Travel and sleep hours do not count. Rehearsal hours, planning, and meetings do not count.
Hours worked as a result of Traffic Court do not count.
Have a question about whether or not your hours qualify? Reach out to issyhighcommunityservice@gmail.com
Why Should I Volunteer?
Volunteerism provides many benefits, not just for the community, but for the student, especially if you are truly interested in the organization or cause for which you are volunteering.
To explore different career fields.
To give back to the community.
To gain valuable contacts for future job or internship opportunities.
To learn new skills or enhance skills in your area of interest.
To provide colleges a volunteer service record.
To meet requirements for many scholarships.
How and When Do I Log In My Hours?
Click HERE to report volunteer hours. Enter your preferred email address to receive a log-in link. For your first log-in, create your profile and begin logging hours.
Students may submit hours year-round. For graduation recognition, Seniors must have all hours logged no later than May 1 of their senior year.
Any volunteer work done after 8th grade graduation qualifies Please keep a record of your hours as they do not provide regular reports on cumulative hours.
SENIORS: ALL REPORTED HOURS TO EARN IHS RECOGNITION AND HONORS MUST BE RECEIVED BY MAY 1ST.
Questions? Email: issyhighcommunityservice@gmail.com
Questions?
Questions? Visit the IH PTSA website or Email issyhighcommunityservice@gmail.com
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Other great places to look are
Forest services TeenLife VolunteerMatch American red cross Idealist internship.com
LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS
This is just a small compilation of some of the remarkable organizations out there making a difference in the community who regularly need volunteers. Take a look and consider giving of your time to make a difference in our neighborhood.
Influence the Choice - TECH Youth Board
Mission: A youth-led coalition dedicated to substance abuse prevention and mental wellness through positive outreach and advocacy.
Middle school and high school students (ages 12-18) from the Issaquah School District and homeschooling families join together to gain critical knowledge and leadership skills to become change agents in their communities through their involvement in:
The facilitation of the Ripple Effect conference for youth leaders wanting to fine tune their leadership skills
The facilitation of The Power of Me, Power of We Leadership Summit
Conducting community assessments
Attending regional and state training on how to best make change
Initiating and implementing advocacy and other community service projects
For more information, email info@influencethechoice.org
website: https://www.influencethechoice.org/tech-youth-coalition.html
Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank
The Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank provides assistance to families in our community that need a helping hand by providing food, clothing and other household goods. Volunteers are needed in our food and clothing bank to sort donations and stock our shelves. They are also seeking volunteers on Tuesday afternoons to pack grocery bags for home delivery. Minimum Age: 16, Minimum Commitment: Flexible.
https://issaquahfoodbank.org/volunteer/
KidVantage- Formerly, Eastside Baby Corner
Volunteer opportunities are available for individuals or groups. We welcome ages 12 and up; volunteers who are 12 and 13 years old must be accompanied one-to-one by an adult.
Volunteer Sign-Ups: https://kidvantagenw.volunteerhub.com/vv2/
Downtown Issaquah Association
The mission of the Downtown Issaquah Association is to promote and enhance the vitality of Historic Downtown Issaquah through programs and events that celebrate our unique culture.
https://downtownissaquah.com/
The Forgotten Children's Fund
The Forgotten Children's Fund is an all volunteer organization that works to give underprivileged children and their families a truly Merry Christmas. With the support of our Seattle community we are able to purchase, wrap, and have Santa and his Elves deliver gifts every year.
http://forgottenchildrensfund.org/volunteer
Camp Korey
provides camps and special events for children and families living with serious medical conditions located at the historical Carnation Farm in Carnation
www.campkorey.org
Outdoors for All Foundation
Provides adaptive instruction in outdoor recreation at Snoqualmie Summit and Stevens Pass for people with physical, developmental, and sensory disabilities
https://outdoorsforall.org/get-involved/volunteer-activities/
Issaquah Meals Program
For 31 years, the Issaquah Meals program has served nightly meals, Monday through Friday at the Community Hall located at 180 E. Sunset Way, next to the fire station.
https://ccsww.org/get-help/shelter-homeless-services/issaquah-meals/
Teen Feed
supports homeless teens and teens-in-need in Seattle. Provides meals, helps teens meet basic needs, fosters relationships, and allies with homeless youth as they meet their future off the streets.
https://teenfeed.org/volunteer/
Mamma's Hands/House of Hope
provides a safe, secure living environment in King County for women in crisis and their children
https://mammashands.org/
Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance
Our goal is to protect the trails that we have, and continually push for new opportunities and access.
https://www.evergreenmtb.org/support-us/volunteer
Salmon Days
Sponsored by the Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce, is the annual celebration of returning salmon to the lakes, streams and downtown hatchery with a weekend of non-stop FREE activities.
https://www.issaquahchamber.com/salmondays
ISD Disclaimer
Note: IHS Career Center does not endorse any of the volunteer opportunities listed here; this is solely provided as a community service. Please make sure you and your family adequately screen the company you are considering working for. Confirm the opportunity meets your needs and that you understand all the volunteer requirements.
NEED VOLUNTEERS?
Thank you for thinking of the Issaquah High School Community for partnering in your efforts in our community. To request volunteers from IHS, please complete the Volunteer Opportunity Request Form. Approved submissions will be added to the spreadsheet shared by Liberty, Issaquah and Skyline.