I finish up my enlistment in about 2.5 years. My plan was to immediately go to college, get a degree, and then work real hard making money. Now I'm thinking I need to help people first.
I checked out the Peace Corps, and there are two things wrong with it. One is that a degree of some kind is necessary. I don't have one. The second is that should I ever want to go back to what I'm doing now, but as a civilian, I can't have worked for the Peace Corps.
Do any of you know of some type of organization where I can go somewhere for around year and help people that is Peace Corps-esque, but not actually the Peace Corps? I'll distribute food, build stuff, comfort the ill...whatever. I've got energy that can be put to good use, and I've decided not to use it as selfishly as I'd previously planned.
Any shoves in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Are you religious?
Posted by airmanfour (Member # 6111) on :
Nope.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
I spent two summers in the Dominican Republic helping to create infrastructure with a Roman Catholic group. I know there was a related group to us who did the work year-round. I assume there are similar missions elsewhere in the world. Very little of our missionary work involved preaching. We had a priest for that. We were expected to live our beliefs and be an example in that way, and we helped with our service.
Posted by airmanfour (Member # 6111) on :
Do you think religious organizations would accept a nonbeliever? Because I'd still be associated with their group, and it seems like I would be kind of a gamble.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Sorry, I missed your reply. I don't know of secular groups that do the same sort of thing, but I have to assume they exist. Maybe a good way to start would be to think of a specific cause that you care about first, and then look for who does work for that cause.
Posted by Risuena (Member # 2924) on :
I can't come up with any names off the top of my head, but check out Idealist. It's a site for non-profits, many of which have programs similar to the Peace Corps but for different periods of time or specific areas of interest or causes and also there are some programs that operate in the US if you want to volunteer here.
Posted by Euripides (Member # 9315) on :
"The United States has a long history of extending a helping hand to those people overseas struggling to make a better life, recover from a disaster or striving to live in a free and democratic country. It is this caring that stands as a hallmark of the United States around the world -- and shows the world our true character as a nation.
U.S. foreign assistance has always had the twofold purpose of furthering America's foreign policy interests in expanding democracy and free markets while improving the lives of the citizens of the developing world. Spending less than one-half of 1 percent of the federal budget, USAID works around the world to achieve these goals."
"USAID is an independent federal government agency that receives overall foreign policy guidance from the Secretary of State. Our Work supports long-term and equitable economic growth and advances U.S. foreign policy objectives by supporting:
* economic growth, agriculture and trade; * global health; and, * democracy, conflict prevention and humanitarian assistance.
"Oxfam America is a non-profit organization that works to end global poverty through saving lives, strengthening communities, and campaigning for change. We are an affiliate of Oxfam International."
"Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities."
"Emergency relief services that assist people afflicted by conflict or disaster. Sustainable economic development that integrates agriculture, health, housing and infrastructure, economic development, education and environment, and local management. Civil society initiatives that promote citizen participation, accountability, conflict management and the rule of law."
There is also Habitat for Humanity which is a Christian organisation but otherwise fits the bill for the kind of work you want to do:
"Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. HFHI seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.
Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need.
Habitat has built more than 225,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1 million people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter. HFHI was founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller along with his wife, Linda."
You would be welcome in the organisation:
"Habitat has an open-door policy: All who desire to be a part of this work are welcome, regardless of religious preference or background. Habitat for Humanity has always had a policy of building with people in need regardless of race or religion, and we welcome volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds."
I hope you find a suitable organisation. Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
I HIGHLY recommend the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT). I am a member and if you want to feel that you have done something for the community, this is your calling. You are on call for the midshift (minimum of two nights a month) and respond to home fires in your area. By respond I mean you arrive at the scene with other members of your team and assist the victims by providing for their immediate needs (food, clothes and shelter). You assess the damage done by the fire and determine how much aide they are to receive and then you give it them in the form of a programmed credit card. You also call and make hotel reservations so they have somewhere to sleep for a few days.
In addition to fires, you are trained to assist in other disasters. Many people from our area were asked to provide aide for the Katrina disaster. The Red Cross provides your training completely free of charge and are the best people to volunteer for. I have both worked and volunteered for them and hope to get hired on when I graduate.
After you have gained some experience, you are eligible to volunteer for areas outside the country for International Red Cross disasters.
With your prior military experience, you are highly desirable for this position. Email me if you want some more information or have any questions, I would more than happy to help!
Posted by xtownaga (Member # 7187) on :
I don't know that much about the various organizations mentioned here, but it's a link to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation website describing volunteer opportunities. I've heard very good things about that organization, though I don't know how accurate they necessarily are. Still, might be worth looking into.
Posted by airmanfour (Member # 6111) on :
I'll look into all of these so for and report back. Thank you all very much for your help.
Posted by Raventhief (Member # 9002) on :
Americorps. The funding has been reduced ever since the current government took over, but it's still running. It's model was the Peace Corps but in the US.
Posted by Blayne Bradley (Member # 8565) on :
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