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Volunteer Opportunities in Stockton

Howdy!

Now, more than ever, youth need to become more involved with their communities.  While youth involvement has increased in Stockton, we need more.  When youth are more involved with their communities, they are able to help in improving their town, as well as make a change.  Stockton has recently begun receiving AmeriCorps members to improve youth development, and the community leaders have worked to form the “Youth Development Manifesto” in 2019.  When youth get involved with their communities, they are more likely to return to their hometown after they graduate, they college.  Volunteering can also help youth find a career that they may be interested in and may also serve as a hobby. I have personally selected three different volunteer organizations that youth, or anyone, can volunteer with in town. 

Boggs Tract Community Farm

Operated through PUENTES whose mission is to “share opportunities in sustainable agriculture to enable urban families to improve health, well-being and prosperity of their communities.”  By launching Boggs Tract Community farm, local families have access to tools and knowledge that improve quality of life through providing healthier foods, promoting environmental stewardship, advocating for local food chain visibility, educating entrepreneurship and encouraging community involvement and exercise via farming/forestry practices. Volunteers are able to assist people with their plots of land.  This may include planting, harvesting, watering, and moving items around.  The farm also has picnic tables where youth could enjoy a meal after working. 

Habitat for Humanity

Nonprofit in 1,400 communities in 70 different countries.  The organization is also nondiscriminatory with the belief is that everyone has a right to a decent place to live.  Low income families and individuals apply and are qualified depending on their level of need, willingness to work alongside H4H, ability to pay for a mortgage.  H4H focuses on housing sustainability by working with people to see what is realistic and feasible.  Volunteers assist by building houses for low income families. Houses take a long time to make, so volunteers are always needed to help speed up the process. 

Delta Sculling Center

Delta Sculling Center “where everyBODY sculls,” is a non-profit that encourages people, no matter their disability, to scull on the delta.  This organization promotes health and leisure to anyone who participates.  The organization offers several different programs of sculling, depending on the person’s interests.  Volunteers are what make up the center by helping rowers get out of boats, bowing boats, sitting with adaptive rowers, rowing as a guide to blind rowers, carrying equipment, provide coaching, giving logistical support, and lots more. 

Each different location has its different perks. Habitat for Humanity serves more as a group activity, whereas both Delta Sculling Center and Boggs Tract Community Farm can be either a group activity, or an individual volunteering experience. Of course, there are plenty of other locations for people to volunteer in town, so be on the lookout as I feature more later on the blog. Also, check out the side tab. I've added some recommended books for you all to read. If you have any book recommendations for me, or for the blog, feel free to comment them below!

Happy Friday,
Liz

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