This common question comes up when families discuss volunteering with their teens. "Why should I volunteer?" This is a great question to ask. As teens are filling their lives with schoolwork, sports, and extracurricular activities, why should they take time out of their day to volunteer? Well, there are many reasons for teens to volunteer. Volunteering offers valuable skills, such as building career abilities, improving mental health, giving back to the community, and strengthening college applications. 

Studies found that teen volunteers only had a 50% chance to engage in dangerous behaviors like smoking and underage drinking. Others found that youth volunteers are 20% more likely to graduate from college, and 30% higher odds of employment.

It is never too early to start volunteering! Some places such as food pantries,  libraries, animal shelters, and other opportunities have age restrictions, but there are many places for younger kids to volunteer; Cradles to Crayons in Newton, and School Wheels of Ma offer volunteering positions for kids below the age of 8. A local youth volunteering opportunity is the En Ka Society, where kids can assist parents in collecting and bringing items to their pantry. In summer, kids can volunteer at Winchester Got Lunch, which is a summer program dedicated to helping pack lunch meals for kids in need.