Community Service Opportunities in Arizona: How Can You Be More Involved?
People volunteer and provide community service for many reasons. Aside from feeling a civic responsibility to help those in need within your community, volunteer fosters personal growth and helps people to feel a sense of purpose. Cities all around Arizona have so many opportunities for their local residents as well as visitors to contribute to local causes.
Have you asked yourself “How can I be more involved in community service efforts” but you just do not know where to start? We make it easy for you to find volunteer opportunities in your area that speak to your passions! Let the team at HardPart Media help you find organizations in which you can participate in activities that can have a lasting impact on both yourself as well as your community.
Why Volunteering Matters
There are so many current needs in our state that provide an abundance of ways to show support or provide service.
Arizona’s homelessness rate has continued to increase year over year. The Arizona Department of Economic Security estimated that as of January 2023 there were over 14,000 homeless people living throughout the state, and that is a 29% increase from the homeless population in 2020 despite the nationwide percentage remaining relatively the same. And the majority of these people were unsheltered.
What Are The Benefits Of Volunteering?
- Sense of community
- Personal growth and fulfillment
- Develop new skills and learning
- Social interaction
- Mental health
- Networking and career development
Top Nonprofit Organizations to Volunteer with in Arizona
Unlike a for-profit organization, nonprofit organizations focus on addressing challenges in society and are reliant on volunteers to continue advancing their mission. Therefore volunteering is essential to success of a nonprofit.
St Mary’s Food Bank
Through the dedicated efforts of volunteers, St. Mary’s Food Bank has been able to significantly reduce food insecurity throughout Arizona and make a measurable difference in the lives of thousands.
Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona
Habitat for Humanity Centra Arizona renovates and repairs homes for eligible families in the local Arizona area. The charity helps people in need of affordable housing through various programs.
The Nature Conservancy in Arizona
The Nature Conservancy in Arizona partners with Arizona communities as well as businesses around land conservation and to find solutions for sustainable water throughout the state.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona
Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Central Arizona has the overall mission to support one-to-one mentoring relationships so that all youth can achieve their full potential.
Arizona Humane Society
Arizona Humane Society takes in animals including those that have been turned away by other shelters. They treat nearly 11,000 homeless pets every year and are committed to transforming animal welfare throughout the state.
Epilepsy Foundation Arizona
The Epilepsy Foundation Arizona supports those living with epilepsy with programs and services like a 24/7 Helpline. The activities and advice that the Foundation affords helps to fund research to stop seizures and save lives.
Volunteering For Environmental and Wildlife Preservation
Grand Canyon Trust
The Grand Canyon Trust was developed in 1985 to protect the Grand Canyon Canyon from various threats and restore the Colorado Plateau.
Arizona Trail Association:
The Arizona Trail Association was created to. Maintain and sustain the Arizona National Scenic Trail. Individuals and groups can volunteer their time around trail maintenance, events and fundraising, outreach and more to help support this initiative.
Keep Phoenix Beautiful:
Keep Arizona Beautiful started in 1984 to help Arizona citizens keep our state clean and beautiful. This program includes support of local communities through litter abatement efforts, recycling and education. You can learn more about how you can help beautify parks in your neighborhood and keep public spaces clean in Arizona’s biggest city.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers
Arizona has various wildlife centers across cities like Phoenix and Tucson that help to rehabilitate injured and orphaned wildlife and support overall conservation efforts throughout the state. Some of these include:
- Liberty Wildlife
- Tucson Wildlife Center
- Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center
- Arizona Wildlife Resource
Where Can I Find Volunteer Opportunities And Get More Involved?
We have made it easy for you! Click on any of the links of interest to start the process of donating your time to a cause that speaks to you! There are also online platforms like VolunteerMatch or HandsOne Greater Phoenix. These websites connect volunteers with various local organizations based on both your interests and your availability.
You can also check your local community center boards or religious community boards for specific opportunities, as well as look into the potential for any corporate level volunteering. A lot of businesses work with nonprofits or even offer paid volunteer time for you to be actively involved within your local community.
If you have never volunteered before, start by finding a cause that speaks to you. Visit that organization’s website and look into their unique volunteer process. Most organizations will tell you the steps needed to start volunteering your time and efforts, and you can sign up to receive newsletters with upcoming events and activities for involvement.
You Can Make a Difference!
Being an active and contributing member of your community is important and beneficial to you as well as to others. Take the leap! Explore the above opportunities and make the first move toward volunteering in Arizona. Your time and efforts can truly make an impact toward the greater good of this beautiful state and the communities that live here.
Additional Volunteering Opportunities
- St. Vincent de Paul
- Salvation Army
- Child Crisis Arizona
- The Phoenix Zoo
- The Foster Alliance
- Better Piggies Rescue
- Halo Rescue
- Arizona Animal Welfare League
- Robinson Ranch
- Hunkapi
- Hoofbeats with Heart
- Oasis Sanctuary
- Valley of the Sun United Way
- Phoenix Rescue Mission
- Sun Valley Animal Shelter
- Boys and Girls Club
- Southwest Human Development