It’s a new year, and people have precise expectations for themselves. Some want to improve on their health, and others want to improve their savings account—and nowadays, who can blame them?
Those pursuits are great, but I think people should also look outward. Recently, I signed on as a volunteer with an organization that provides educational assistance to children in foster care. This is a great way to help others in your community and at the same time help yourself as a developing individual.
A great way to get the ball rolling is by signing up with United Way of Santa Barbara County. This organization offers detailed information on the many different nonprofit groups in your community that could use a volunteer or two.
As a member of the post-Gen X generation, I get tired of hearing that young people today have become socially disengaged. Organizations like United Way really provide a way for people to get involved, and I encourage others, especially people of my generation, to join organizations like it.
This article appears in Jan 22-29, 2009.