KIRSTEN LUPINSKI: Giving back to your community

Last month I introduced the concept of volunteering in the community to not only help others that may be less fortunate than you, but also to use your skills and knowledge in a different capacity.

Research shows that volunteering is a great way to improve and enhance your overall health and well-being. Therefore, I wanted to give you a few more ideas of places in our local community that are always looking for people to assist them in numerous ways.

The Boys and Girls Club of Albany uses volunteers in a variety of different capacities: help with homework, coaching sports, assisting in offering programs on cooking, fine arts, performing arts or any expertise you may have. The Boys and Girls Club is an organization that would love to work with your skills and talents and provide youth in the community with much needed support, encouragement, and role models to assist them both socially and academically.

Girls Inc. is another organization that works directly with young girls and there is a branch right here in Albany. If you go to their website, you will see that they are asking for volunteers to help with homework help Monday-Thursday after school. This can be an excellent opportunity for college or high school students (or anyone) to assist young girls with school work. They also do outreach work and are always looking for eager and willing individuals to have an impact on the lives of girls in Albany.

Liberty House is an organization that provides services for domestic violence victims, their children, family and friends in Dougherty County. They offer a variety of services such as a 24-hour crisis line, emergency shelter, support groups, advocacy, education and prevention. They are looking for individuals to help with a variety of projects and services; such as mailings, the crisis hotline, fundraising events, and yard work with minimal commitment but a huge impact.

The Southwest Georgia Council on Aging was established to assist older individuals with physical, mental and spiritual needs. There are numerous programs associated with the council that are looking for volunteers: Meals on Wheels, wellness programs, sewing group, enrichment programs and many more. You can contact them through their website.

As you can see, there are numerous opportunities to make a difference in the lives of so many people in our local community. I highly encourage you to take some time and contact one of these organizations and use your skills, knowledge and compassion to impact others. Happy Holidays!

Kirsten Lupinski is an assistant professor at Albany State University in the Department of Health and Human Performance. She has a bachelor’s of science in nutrition from the University of North Carolina, a master’s of science in health education from the University of Kentucky and a doctorate in education from the University of Cincinnati. She has worked in the health education field in various capacities (corporate health, community health, college health and wellness and university education) for more than 17 years. She and her husband have three young children (twin 9-year-old sons and a 6-year-old daughter).