CND Engaging Sisters: Virtual Volunteering Ideas
The advice we are seeing for coping with being homebound include scheduling your days very intentionally, thinking of the things that you enjoy doing, and then adding more of those to your day. Ruth Finkelstein, professor at Hunter College’s School of Urban Public Health and executive director of the Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging suggests becoming a “virtual” volunteer, perhaps making phone calls to others who may feel isolated and alone. “Feeling like you’re contributing is a good antidote to the messages that are making you feel like you have a problem,” Finkelstein says.
Below are some options compiled by the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament (US) province. Please note: some of the information below may be cut and pasted from the organizations’ websites – we gathered it here only to offer many options.
Virtual Volunteering
Becoming a “virtual friendly visitor”.
https://www.volunteermatch.org/ is a website that matches volunteers with different causes
Sending Virtual Cards
You can help brighten someone’s day! Write a card telling them about yourself, maybe say a joke or a riddle and let them know that they are loved. Making a difference can be so simple, yet it can be incredibly impactful!
The Smithsonian
Become a Smithsonian Digital Volunteer and help us make historical documents and biodiversity data more accessible. Join 16,663 "volunpeers" to add more to the total 526,229 pages of field notes, diaries, ledgers, logbooks, currency proof sheets, photo albums, manuscripts, biodiversity specimens labels that have been collaboratively transcribed and reviewed since June 2013. Projects include: American Gardens, American Art, Smithsonian Libraries, etc.
https://www.si.edu/volunteer/DigitalVolunteers
Binky Patrol
Their volunteers usually make blankets (knitted, crocheted, quilted, etc.) for ill or abused children but have now switched to making masks for essential workers.
Be My Eyes
After installing the Be My Eyes app, the sighted volunteer receives video call by a blind or a low-vision user who may need help with anything from checking expiry dates, distinguishing colors, reading instructions or navigating new surroundings.
7 Cups
Thanks to thousands of volunteer listeners stepping up to lend a friendly ear, 7 Cups is happy to say, "We're here for you!" No matter who you are or what you're going through, this is a place where you'll be heard and cared for.
Project Guttenberg
You can help in many ways: by helping proofread an eBook, by procuring eligible paper books, by burning CDs and DVDs for people without Internet access, by donating money, by promoting PG on your web site.
https://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Gutenberg:Volunteering_for_Project_Gutenberg
Librivox
LibriVox volunteers read and record chapters of books in the public domain (books no longer under copyright), and make them available for free on the Internet. Practically, in the U.S., this means we record books published before 1923. All our recordings (including yours, if you volunteer for us) are also donated into the public domain.
https://librivox.org/pages/volunteer-for-librivox/
Chemo Angels
As a Traditional Chemo Angel, you will be assigned to a patient who you will encourage through small gifts, cards, letters, uplifting notes for the duration of their treatment. As a Card Angel, you will send your assigned patient at least one card, letter, or note a week. Our team of Prayer Angels is always on call for the prayer needs of both our recipients and our volunteers.
https://www.chemoangels.com/angel-pre-app
Selfhelp Virtual Senior Center
Selfhelp’s “Virtual Senior Center” is seeking Volunteer Facilitators to connect to seniors through a video chat program and share interests in the areas of art, music, history, health, social sciences, computers, and more. All Volunteer Facilitators need is a standard computer with high speed internet and a webcam. Volunteers who can speak English, Mandarin, Russian, or Korean are needed.
Facilitators to Lead Online Classes for Seniors
Translators Without Borders
You can volunteer with Translators Without Borders if you are fluent in at least one language other than your native language. Whether you are interested in translating medical texts or translating for crisis response, there are engaging projects available to suit all preferences. Professional translators are especially encouraged to apply.
https://translatorswithoutborders.org/volunteer/
Virtual Volunteers to Promote Social Media and Connect Resources
Alliance for Safe Kids (ASK) is dedicated to connecting the community to resources regarding youth mental health, prevention of substance abuse, and opportunities for thoughtful service. ASK is very active on social media and it now needs the help of Virtual Volunteers to spread the word about COVID-19 information and resources, tips for parents and teens, events, and breaking news. By engaging at least once a week, the Virtual Volunteer will help relay important resources for kids, teens, and adults throughout the community.
https://www.volunteernewyork.org/opportunity/a075A00000gWc4kQAC
Volunteer New York!
Volunteers can help prevent loneliness and isolation by writing letters and making cards and mailing them to a local nursing home. This is a project for all ages and is the perfect activity for volunteers who are confined to their homes.
http://www.volunteernewyork.org
United for the Troops – Write Thank You Cards to Isolated and Homebound Veterans
http://unitedforthetroops.org/
New York Milk Bank
Knit or Crochet Baby Blankets and Hats http://www.nymilkbank.org/
Volunteers who love to knit or crochet are needed to help make baby blankets and hats for the New York Milk Bank. These cozy items will be included in gift baskets that are delivered to new moms. Blankets should be just large enough for a stroller or car seat (about 30 x 30 inches or 36 x 36 inches).
The New York Milk Bank is the first comprehensive nonprofit milk bank based in New York State. It collects milk from carefully screened donors, pasteurizes it, and distributes it to infants in New York State and the surrounding area.