How Living a Life of Service Can Combat Loneliness and Empower Everyone

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Want To Listen To The Article Instead? 

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I Am Lonely

Adam Maier-Clayton was a Right to die activist from Canada. And a few years ago he committed suicide. Before his death, he was fighting the legislation to allow mentally ill people to die with dignity. He was finally compelled to kill himself because of chronic unbearable pain and because he couldn’t wait long enough to change the thoughts of law makers. His Twitter profile, which is still active, shows how he would reach out to people when he felt lonely.

“Can’t sleep due to pain. Anyone want to talk on audio for a few?”

“Anyone want to Skype for 5min? I’ve barely spoken to anybody all day due to pain.”

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The Greatest Gift

Imagine what you’re grandmother might want. Nope, not your monies, not a trip to a fancy restaurant, not even the costliest clothes money can buy. But, if you said the gift of my time and attention, you’re right.

Loneliness is a funny thing. See, people who’ve been “a solid relationship” can still be painfully lonely. While solitude, on the other hand, is an intentional luxury. But, unlike solitude, we often don’t like being lonely, for the fear of being bored out of our minds.

Give Time & Attention To The Desperate

TARJIMLY

This is a place where you can volunteer your language skills. Your voice can literally be the help refugees in need of humanitarian assistance with language barriers are seeking.

Visit: https://www.tarjim.ly/en

CAREER VILLAGE

Give career advice to underrepresented students as they try to navigate college and life beyond.

Visit: https://www.careervillage.org/join/for-professionals/

UPCHIEVE

This is a free, online platform to tutor and counsel low-income students. Volunteer here and teach math and much more.

Visit: https://upchieve.org/volunteer

AARP’S FRIENDLY VOICE

The elderly are the most at risk of isolation and abandonment as we strive to navigate our daily struggles. Pick up the phone to have a friendly conversation with lonely seniors.

Visit: https://states.aarp.org/virtual-call-center-volunteer-position

THE TREVOR PROJECT

This is a crisis-intervention line especially for offering support and comfort to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) youth.

Visit: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-involved/volunteer/

REACH OUT AND READ

The #ReadTogether challenge helps children understand the effects of the pandemic in a healthy and supportive way.

Visit: https://www.reachoutandread.org/get-involved/volunteer/

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Connection, Meaning, & Impact

Look at children who’re in deep thought. Especially when they’re tinkering with their toys in the loneliness of their room. Do they feel the same pity and shame we feel when we’re alone during milestone celebrations or community festivals?

Connection gives our life meaning and purpose. It drives us to make an impact and to make a positive difference in the life of those around us. This can be a way you can help and reach out to those as our world comes together in our collective Covid suffering.

Give the gift of time, to those who need the most, from the comfort of your home.

Virtual Volunteering Resources

• https://www.bemyeyes.com
• https://upchieve.org/volunteer/
• Tips To Help With Cyberbullying: https://www.sunshinebehavioralhealth.com/resources/preventing-cyberbullying/
• Help the United Nations: https://www.onlinevolunteering.org/en
• https://translatorswithoutborders.org/volunteer/
• https://www.crisistextline.org/volunteer/
• Catalog The British Library: https://www.libcrowds.com/
• https://www.dosomething.org/us
• Scribe for Smithsonian: https://transcription.si.edu/instructions
• https://bestfriends.org
• https://www.micromentor.org/signup/mentor
• https://www.operationgratitude.com
• Become a Citizen Scientist for NASA: https://science.nasa.gov/citizenscience
• Write to those in need: https://www.writeoncampaign.com/write-to-those-in-need
• Help first responders: https://www.missingmaps.org/
• #EveryoneEats!: https://www.linkedin.com/company/re-plate/
• Resources Website: https://www.ourkidsseries.org/the-project/educational-resources/
• Sign Up: https://signup.com/
• https://friendsofrefugees.com

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Atlanta Area Volunteering Resources 

• https://acfb.org/volunteer
• https://www.meetup.com/atlantavolunteers/events
• https://www.atlanta.net/Blog/Lend-a-Hand–Volunteer-Opportunities-in-Atlanta/
• https://openhandatlanta.volunteerhub.com
• https://www.facebook.com/Food4Livesatl/
• https://www.ajc.com/events/fundraisers/volunteer/millennial-friendly-volunteer-opportunities-atlanta/hEiGhcMVS3atys1D8Jf8RJ/
• https://www.ajc.com/news/where-volunteer-atlanta/8ZbUmDYbsZkOl7N1uwDbpK/
• Lost and Found Youth: https://lnfy.org/youth-center/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/friends-of-refugees/
• https://www.fmsc.org/volunteer-listing
• https://www.minicityatl.com
• https://projectamp4youth.com/#mentormodule

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Atlanta Area TEEN Volunteering Opportunities

• Boys And Girls Club Of Metro Atlanta: https://www.bgcma.org/get-involved/volunteer/#gardening-landscaping
• https://www.atlantaparent.com/where_to_volunteer_as_a_family_in_atlanta/
• Social Innovations Academy: http://www.socialinnovationacademy.eu/
• Empowering youth to take action for social good: https://mygivingpoint.org/

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