offers a variety of ways for groups of families and kids to engage in the community. Both informal groups or formal groups can use to identify and/or coordinate meaningful service activities that they can do together. Playgroups, neighbors, book clubs, supper clubs and bunco groups are just a few of the many different informal groups that may want to volunteer together with their families. is a resource for teachers, home school networks, athletic teams, Sunday school classes, Junior League groups, company groups, scout troops and others that want to reach out in the community.

Groups can use in a couple of different ways - by going to the various "county pages" to get information about opportunities at local agencies or by going to Anywhere. Anytime. to get ideas for projects that can be done anywhere, anytime. Groups are also encouraged to use the Bulletin Board to promote an activity that they are spearheading OR to coordinate an activity among their members.

Unless an age restriction is indicated, kids of any age can participate in volunteer activities. Its up to parents to decide what's appropriate and will be most rewarding for their children.

What?

• Regular, ongoing activities that support the work of local agencies and Special Events sponsored by local agencies
• Kids Connect Events & Workdays - activities and special events at local agencies. Both offer parents and kids the opportunity to connect with other local families engaging in positive community action.
• Anywhere. Anytime. activities that you can do that will benefit a local agency, an agency working outside of your home town or the community at large
• Volunteer Vacations - COMING SOON!!

Where & When?

• On site with an agency at a designated time - lists a growing number of opportunities at local agencies for parents and children to participate in. Some opportunities will essentially be for families to do on their own (like delivering meals) and some will provide families with the opportunity to connect to other volunteers (like working at a soup kitchen). Groups can commit to an activity that they will participate in together, as a group OR they can commit to a regular activity and coordinate a schedule among themselves. An example is taking lunch to a Habitat site. This can be done once as a group activity or on a regular basis, dividing the work among various members of the group.
• On site with agency at time of own choosing - provides information and support to assist parents in engaging in community service activities on their own - helping them to coordinate what will meet their interests and work best for their schedule. As with designated time activities, groups have the option of participating all together or commiting to a regular time and coordinating a rotation among themselves.
• At home, on own time -offers ideas that will serve as a starting point for ways groups can do simple, easy community building projects in their home or neighborhood, church, or with a group. Ideas for Anywhere. Anytime. activities are sprinkled throughout the site - listed as ideas for ways to help a specific agency and, more generally, on the Anywhere. Anytime.page.
  

How Long? How Often?

• One time RSVP - Families can make a one-time commitment by signing up for a scheduled activity or special event or by arranging their own one-time community service activity. One-time commitments can be made as often and with as many different agencies as the parents and their kids want. Groups can volunteer together at a scheduled opportunity or they can organize an "event" for themselves such as taking lunch to a habitat work site
• Ongoing commitment - Groups can make a regular commitment to volunteering on a weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or even quarterly basis. Again, group members can participate as a group or they can create a schedule where they rotate the activity among their members.

Getting the most out of your experience

Reaching out and getting involved in the community with your kids is a great thing to do. Before you get started you may want to take some time to think about what kind of experience you are looking for. We've created a short list of questions that can help you think through finding the right opportunity to meet your needs, wishes and expectations.

Taking time to discuss with your kids before, during and after your community activity will greatly enhance the experience for everyone. Doing Good Together, a Minnesota based non-profit that supports and encourages family volunteering, has created a helpful guide to assist you in this critical component of any volunteering activity.