Volunteering your time is one of the most effective ways to move forward in your recovery and find your greater purpose in life. If you have reached the point in your recovery where you are ready to give back to others, there are many ways to get involved. The key is to find a cause that is special to you and organization that needs your help.
Below are some ideas for getting involved in your community while strengthening addiction treatment in Agoura.
Volunteer at a Soup Kitchen
Serving meals at a soup kitchen provides others with essential needs and inspiration. Recovering from substance abuse is a long and tiresome road, so your progress shows others that they come out of their adversity, too. You also have a lot to learn from others and their personal battles, which can be humbling to your own experiences.
If you don’t have a local soup kitchen, consider starting and operating your own. You can reach out to local churches, food pantries and community centers for help. Or, start a micro-pantry in your community that is kept stocked with essential goods for those in need.
Volunteer at a Homeless Shelter
Donating time to a homeless shelter is another rewarding way to give back to the community. You can sort through donations, work with visitors and assist with community outreach programs. People needing a homeless shelter are going through dark times, and you can offer support and mentorship, which is therapeutic to your own recovery.
Build Homes for Families
Do you prefer more hands on work? Consider building homes for low-income families through an organization like Habitat for Humanity. These organizations give you the opportunity to build homes from the ground up. You can blow off steam, get exercise and watch the fruits of your labor come to life.
Work with Animals
There are plenty of volunteer opportunities for animal lovers. You can donate your time to a local shelter or organization that helps place animals in loving homes. If you are ready to take on the responsibility of a pet, you may want to consider fostering a dog or cat. Even collecting supplies and donations for the animal shelters can be a huge help.
Clean a Park or Campsite
If you’re more of a hands on person who enjoys being outdoors, look for volunteer opportunities with the national park service or state park agency. This way, you’ll get to make a difference in your community while getting fresh air and vitamin D. Some people even find that by volunteering for these organizations, they get a permanent job out of them.
Volunteering offers endless rewards for your journey, including making new friends, advancing your career and teaching you new skills. In the meantime, you’re helping people through their personal battles. If you find that you need the structure of an outpatient program as well, contact Awakenings Treatment Center to learn about our dual diagnosis treatment in Agoura.
