Volunteering with Plenty
Plenty's Volunteer Placement
In Plenty’s earlier decades, projects often involved large groups of volunteers working and living together on a project location for months or sometimes years. Essentially, these were small volunteer communities handling multiple projects in places like rural Guatemala, the South Bronx, and Lesotho, Southern Africa.
Large projects like these were life changing, cross cultural experiences for Plenty volunteers as well as the local people they worked with. Rewarding as it was, that type of volunteer opportunity is no longer feasible for us.
Most of Plenty’s volunteer placement in recent years has been for individuals with specific requested skills. Most communities have capable, dedicated people working on critical problems who understand their own cultures and circumstances much better than “outsiders” can. Supporting community-based projects by providing requested resources or technical assistance is a good way to be involved.
Some short-term volunteer opportunities, like disaster relief, are best handled by non-profit organizations that focus solely on that mission. If you’re looking for that kind of opportunity, there are many groups and resources available, and likely close to home.
Interested in becoming a volunteer?
Check out Plenty’s current volunteer opportunities.
Criteria for volunteers interested in working with Plenty
Volunteering is a two way street. We believe it should benefit our project partners first and foremost, and expand the volunteer’s understanding.
- Volunteers should be highly motivated to serve, flexible, and willing to work cooperatively with others.
- Volunteers need to be able to pay their own expenses, including transportation to the project site and living expenses while in country. Costs vary depending upon where the project is located.
- Specific skills may be needed depending upon the position – please check the current opportunities listed.
- Time commitment varies according to the position.
How do I apply to volunteer?
Contact us and tell us about yourself and what program or opportunity you’re interested in (check the current opportunities page). Then please complete out our volunteer application form.