Hi! I’m Alison, YVC volunteer and member of YVC’s International Youth Advisory Board, and I want to take the time to talk about what we as youth can do during this quarantine for our communities.
Let’s start with one of the easiest to do. Check up on your elderly neighbors and see if you can help them with anything. Of course, you should be doing this all year, but it’s imperative now as the elderly shouldn’t be out during this pandemic.
Another thing you can do is volunteer at food banks, such as “Meals on Wheels.” Since all of us kids are out of school many families need additional food assistance. One thing my local YVC in Anderson does is snack pack notes. They’re encouraging notes with food for the weekend.
Did your grandmother or mother ever teach you to knit? Well if so, you can make teddy bears and other stuffed animals for children in ICU and hospitals, and other first responders.
These are just a few suggestions you can do! You can find many more with a simple Google search. Let me tell you about a few personal experiences of mine.
- My aunt is one of the people in the world who is immune compromised. One way I help her is by going to all the grocery stores and getting our groceries.
- You can also help out your family by cleaning up around the house and taking care of younger siblings. For the past few mornings I’ve been making my family breakfast and helping out more than usual.
- Another thing to remember is that kids/teens just like us need help too! Many of us are doing e-learning and I personally know, as an eighth-grader, that e-learning can be hard. You can help out by becoming an online tutor for kids/teens at your school. You can spread the word by emailing your teachers or posting on social media!
In addition to what we do on our own, check with your local YVC and see if they have projects available. If you are signed up with a YVC affiliate there are many projects y’all can do together virtually!
Many affiliates are doing online “Zoom” calls to stay connected. This is a great way to connect to your fellow volunteers and keep up social connections with people outside of your family. This is a good alternative to going out and risking infections.
When I was researching for this blog, I asked some of my YVC peers about activities happening at each of their YVCs right now. Several said they are sending out virtual ecards to healthcare workers and first responders. That is just one great idea, because it shows our support for men and women in blue and healthcare workers who are out there risking their lives daily. And, of course, don’t forget about truckers, grocery store employees, gas station clerks, and many more essential workers!
All this to say, I’d like to enforce that this is a time to emotionally come together. Social distance and stay safe!
Hi, my name is Alison. I am an 8th grader in Anderson, SC. I have been volunteering with the YVC since October 2017. I am the co-chair of the Anderson YVC and was recently selected to be an ambassador of YVC. I have been a BETA club member for the past two years. Last year, I joined the debate club at school. I have my black belt in taekwondo. I recently started taking Jiu Jitsu and MMA classes; I love doing both of those! In the summer I go to visit my grandparents and friends back in Illinois. During the week I go to work with my grandma to Catholic Charities. I volunteer my time in the food pantry and helping the ladies around the office. I love volunteering because when I see people hurting it makes me sad and I want to help them.