This index of sites is of interest to those looking for information about volunteerism (why do it, who is doing it, tips for doing it, etc.) and organizations that sponsor national or international volunteering efforts of their own. This also provides links to service learning resources.

• Action Without Borders
  In addition to posting volunteer opportunities for other organizations, also provides links to resources on volunteerism and internships.

• Alpha Phi Omega
  A national service fraternity for college students, "founded on the principles of Leadership, Friendship and Service." The organization trains the "leaders of tomorrow" through the performance of service projects, and sponsors an annual National Service Week the first Saturday in November.

• America's Promise
  A product of the Presidents' Summit for America's Future (summit on volunteerism and national service). Focused on how youth volunteerism and volunteerism for youth can improve communities, counter negative influences and empower young people.

• Amizade
  Not-for-profit organization promoting volunteerism, providing community service, encouraging collaboration, and improving cultural awareness in locations throughout the world. Programs offer a mix of community service and recreation which provide volunteers with the opportunity to participate first hand in the culture of the region where they are working. Past projects have included building a vocational training center for street children on the Amazon, building additional rooms onto a health clinic in the Bolivian Andes, and doing some historic preservation and environmental cleanup in the Greater Yellowstone Area. Volunteers need no special skills, just a willingness to help.

• The Big Help
  Nation-wide program for young volunteers driven by local activities. The Toolkit offers advice for kids on organizing, promoting and running a project, as well as a list of partnering organizations.

• Break Away: the Alternative Break Collection
  National non-profit organization based at Vanderbilt University, promoting service on the local, regional, national, and international levels through break-oriented programs which immerse students in often vastly different cultures, heightens social awareness, and advocates life-long social action. Break Away promotes alternative break programs through student training, technical assistance, volunteer placement, and publications.

• Catholic Network of Volunteer Service
  A non-profit organization representing more than 180 domestic and international volunteer programs. Volunteer opportunities CNVS offers are listed in the RESPONSE directory. They also have a Lay Mission Handbook and offer technical assistance resources for volunteer programs, formation workshops, AmeriCorps programs, networking of volunteer organizations and recruitment of volunteers through a toll-free number, and volunteer fairs.

• Charity Village Volunteer Bulletin Board
  Resources for Canada.

• City Cares
  Works to make volunteering possible for even the busiest individual. In cities large and small, 22 Cares groups have been established, and four more are currently being formed.

• Corporation for National Service
  Created by the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993, CNS engages Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service to their communities. Through its three main programs -- AmeriCorps/VISTA, Learn and Serve America, and the National Senior Service Corps -- the Corporation provides a broad range of opportunities for Americans to serve our communities and our nation.

• Do Something
  National nonprofit organization that encourages young people to help build their communities. Organizer of The Kindness & Justice Challenge, a nationwide two-week "character education" and community service effort in January, and the organizer of Webstock96.

• Energize, Inc.
  Energize, Inc. is an international training, consulting and publishing firm specializing in volunteerism. Founded in 1977, Energize has assisted organizations of all types with their volunteer efforts--whether they are health and human service organizations, cultural arts groups, professional associations, or schools.



• FamilyCares
  Operated by a national nonprofit organization, Child Charitable Development Association, Inc. (CCD), which also operates Kids Care Clubs. "We provide children, families, schools, and religious groups with meaningful opportunities to help others in their local and global communities." Their proposal: "If every organized charity in the United States developed just one project a year that invited the hands-on participation of children, and schools and churches helped kids connect with the charity projects, American kids would enjoy thousands of opportunities to grow strong charity muscles and our society would anchor its philanthropic roots well into the value system of future generations."

• Give Five
  Works to raise public awareness about the important role that giving and volunteering play in our communities. Site includes Ten Tips for Volunteers, Selecting an Organization to Help, and general information about volunteerism.

• Hearts and Minds
  Non-profit organization providing information to make volunteering and other giving more fulfilling and effective.

• Information for Volunteers by About.Com
  Another index of volunteerism-related links, as well as other resources for community-focused agencies, by Stan Hutton.

• World Volunteer Web (former International Year of Volunteers 2001)
  2001 has been proclaimed the International Year of Volunteers (IYV) by the United Nations General Assembly. Aiming at increased recognition, facilitation, networking and promotion of volunteering, IYV highlights the achievements of the millions of volunteers worldwide who devote some time of their lives to serving others, and to encourage more people globally to engage in volunteer activity.

• Internet NonProfit Center
  Another good site to help volunteers find nonprofit organizations to support. Also features the Nonprofit FAQs (frequently asked questions and their answers).

• Joint Action in Community Service (JACS)
  A national, nonprofit organization of thousands of volunteers, dedicated to assisting male students returning from Job Corps training, to build a bridge between a returning student and the community services. Women in Community Service (WICS) helps the female students (see below).

• Kids Korps USA
  Community and resource center for youths (ages 5-18) interested in community service and volunteer work. Features a word search, a chat room, video clips and photos, and a volunteerism survey.

• Make A Difference Day
  A one-day event to volunteer each October, sponsored by USA Weekend. Includes a database of volunteer opportunities. Ideas for using the Internet for Make A Difference Day

• A Nation Of Volunteers
  Commentary, statistics and resources about volunteering in the United States and its impact. Authors include Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, and recognized volunteerism experts Susan Ellis and Betty Stallings. Also includes links to many other resources and an excellent bibliography.

• Netday
  An effort by a partnership among volunteers and corporations to wire schools in the U.S.A. to the Internet.

• Points of Light Foundation
  Formed under Bush Administration. Includes all services formerly under the National Volunteer Center, including Council on Workplace Volunteerism, annual National Community Service Conference in June, annual National Volunteer Week, and the President's Volunteer and Community Service Awards.

• 20 Ways for Teenagers to Help Other People by Volunteering
  From The Teenager's Guide to the Real World . Includes a list of the many different reasons for teens to volunteer, and helpful tips and links to resources to find opportunities.

• Volunteers of America
  49 community-based service organizations throughout the U.S. offer more than 160 different programs that help people including children, youth, the elderly, families in crisis, the homeless, people with disabilities or mental illness, and ex-offenders returning to society.

• Volunteer Canada
  Find Canadian volunteer centers and many other resources that promote volunteerism.

• Women in Community Service (WICS)
  One of the largest national volunteer organizations in the country, dedicated to reducing the number of young women living in poverty by promoting self-reliance and economic independence, through the efforts of volunteers working with more than 150,000 low-income women and young adults each year involved in Job Corps. Volunteers provide support services, mentoring and workforce preparation programs nationwide.