The time following an accident, especially a severe or even fatal one, is difficult. Survivors or families of the afflicted are left with psychological wounds that last long after the physical wounds have healed. Those involved in the accident, depending on its severity, may suffer from any number of mental or emotional problems such as survivor’s guilt, grief, fear or even post-traumatic stress disorder.

Doctors and time heal the physical injuries, but the emotional trauma following an accident requires a different kind of attention that medicine is not able to provide. There are a number of organizations that exist to help heal that psychological pain.

Accidents Support Group

• The Accident Support Group is an online community that has dedicated itself to helping people recover from, or cope with, the long-term stresses associated with accidents.

GriefNet

• GriefNet is another online community. It helps members deal with the grief of a major loss like the death of a family member or friend. The loss can be from any number of causes including accidents, health issues or combat.

Wings of Light, Inc.

• Wings of Light is a national support network for people who have been affected by accidents involving planes. It helps survivors, effected families and even those involved in plane crash recovery or investigation efforts.

MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving)

• MADD provides support to people who have lost family or friends to accidents. The organization provides reading material about grief, loss and healing in addition to opportunities to advance the fight against drunk driving and honor those who have been lost to it.

Churches

• Churches can provide a caring environment and a community of emotional and spiritual support to help people who have been touched by an accident. Some churches even employ counselors for people trying to cope with grief. Also, people may find a place that provides support or stabilization in times of need.

An accident can also cause a significant amount of financial strain. To someone already suffering mental anguish over an accident, financial troubles are just another thing to worry about. For this, a good insurance company or a San Antonio personal injury lawyer will work to provide monetary compensation to victims and survivors.

Losing a friend or family member to an accident, or surviving an accident in which family or friends have died, is often one of the worst things a person can experience. Fortunately, there are organizations that have made it their mission to help those suffering this terrible pain.

As this generation of Asian Americans grow and they decide to enter college, many are instilled with the idea of giving back to the community. Philanthropy, active citizenship, and volunteerism are all major pillars that Asian Americans find important in their social lives, as shown by the number of volunteer networks and organizations dedicated solely to members of the Asian American community. What are the different ways Asian Americans give back to their communities?

1. Volunteerism

Asian Americans have long been volunteers for organizations such as the New York Asian Women Center, where volunteers help victims of domestic abuse and sex trafficking escape their situation and rehabilitate them into society. In addition, studies have shown that if individuals are exposed to volunteering at a young age, they are more likely to continue volunteering as they grow older.

2. Non-Profit Organizations

One of the most powerful ways Asian Americans are giving back to the community is by giving a voice for the generations of Asian Americans in America who have no way of voicing their options. Organizations such as the Asian American Resource Workshop (AARW) and adstalker.com, a website created for Asian American readers, help build communities by empowering Asian Americans and representing the Asian American voice in politics and media. In addition, these Asian Americans work to cultivate a culture of leadership, education, and empowerment for the Asian American population, a population that has long been overlooked or considered insignificant due to the small size of Asians in America.

3. Arts

Asian Americans are slowly starting to become noticed by the media. Asian Americans are beginning to tell their stories, their struggles, and their achievements around the country. In doing so, they are giving themselves and their peers a voice and the chance to really make an impact as a citizen of the United States. Verbal storytelling, through means such as slam poetry, music, or video, help define the Asian American culture and paint a picture of what Asian Americans represent.

The best way Asian Americans can give back is to give their community a voice. Giving back doesn’t necessarily imply physical items or money, but it means contributing back to the community in order to help it grow. Asian Americans are raising awareness about their communities, sometimes even through pop culture. For example, the rise of Jeremy Lin raises questions about the prevalence of Asian American stereotypes in society and in the media and forces America to address these issues. As such, Asian Americans are giving back to the community by changing how others see Asian Americans and address what can be done to change these stereotypes.

Image via Wikipedia

When we hear the word “charity” and especially giving to charity we often think of people wanting to give back to their communities. Sometimes because of the blessings they’ve received, other times because they just know it’s the right thing to do.

Opportunities

Today, the opportunities to give to others have multiplied tremendously, everything from giving money to a cause (like to pay for a well to be dug in Africa) to giving our time volunteering for a local organization.

Actually, many local groups doing really good work just couldn’t function without those unseen heroes who give their time and money in some form of community service to keep the organization running.

Variety

Homeless shelters are an immediate thought, how many people would be literally fending for themselves without them? or the local Hospice, how would they cope without the local volunteers who spend time with the residents and help them deal with the obstacles they face? Another one we see is the local animal shelter. We get our pets from there. Yet without the volunteers they wouldn’t exist!

Payback

One of the things that we don’t really think about is the payback that volunteers get. Yes there is a payback, it’s just not financial, and often they aren’t really seen, but it never goes unnoticed.

Think of the joy of the family that couldn’t afford a house when they open the door to the new house built for them by a local group. Or the joy on a kids face hugging that puppy from the shelter. And it was all because somebody decided to give back.

Image by Lee Cannon via Flickr

It’s a saying that’s usually seen emblazoned on the side of Police cars, or something similar is anyway. Many of us regard community service as a sentence that’s handed down by a judge and involves keeping the streets tidy, it might be a bit of gardening on the roadside, or helping paint graffiti out on a wall (please don’t paint over a “Banksie” painting as someone in Melbourne, Australia did!) but it’s seen as something to be endured and not enjoyed. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Nightlife?

Do you have the heart for helping your community and giving a bit of time? There are many programs that involve helping out at night, but what a night full of excitement and challenge you’ll have. You’ll see your town in a totally different way.

The essentials

Without the volunteer some essential services would be drastically reduced and lives would actually be at risk! The fire department in many small towns might have no one manning the engines, the Hospital have no ambulance drivers, Food Banks would have no workers and more importantly many kids would have no role models to look up to, no heroes to model themselves after.

The vital cog

The volunteer is a vital cog in the greater plan of life, they may seem to slip by unnoticed but when we stop and think we can all come up with one or two in our lives who’ve had a huge impact on us and it was all because they volunteered. That was all the payback they were searching for.

Image by Grand Performances via Flickr

Life is busy. From Monday to Friday it seems as if we are on the go all the time with little chance to take a rest. By the time we get to the weekend all we want to do is take that break, find something to do to unwind and have a little fun with our friends and family.

For many of us it’s heading out to the movies or to a restaurant for a nice meal. And if it’s with friends then so much the better.

Do Something different

But what about doing something a little different this weekend? Still having fun with friends, but taking time to pour something back into the community, possibly having friends over and tell them to make a “Gold coin” donation to a charity or community program.

Or what about firing up the Barbecue and holding one on a Saturday fundraising for the local kids club or something like that? Just a few ideas of what can be done when we want to.

Hospitals may seem like huge organizations with plenty of money but they could always do with more. Fund-raising for a piece of equipment. Or the volunteer Ambulance getting that life saving machine they’ve been asking about but never had the budget for.

Have fun

Fund-raising  can be great fun to do and the events can be great for the whole community (or church) to get behind. They can be a great form of entertainment for all the family as well as giving back to the local community

Image via Wikipedia

Events to raise money for charity have been around for quite some time. The idea is simple: raise money for a worthy cause. This can be done by organizing some type of event. One of the newer trends charity events is poker tournaments.

Poker tournaments are the hot item in charitable events. Due to the mainstream integration of poker, it is now common to see poker on the Internet and even on television. Over the past several years, poker has been a televised sport, and it has become a standard just like seeing basketball or baseball.

With the popularity of poker and even gambling, it is a great idea to use poker tournaments within the context of charitable events. The winner(s) can still perhaps earn a bit of money, but the majority of the entry fees will be donated to the cause.

The idea is simple to implement. It is not hard to obtain some quality poker tables and organize the dynamics of a poker tournament. As a result, you have an event that is sure to generate buzz within the community. Some attendees can be spectators, where other ways to make money are provided (drinks, food, a side auction, etc.).

Poker is becoming a popular sport that can really draw a crowd, even for a charity event. You only need to look at the last 10-15 years of the World Series of Poker tournament statistics, the premier tournament in the United States. Consider integrating a poker tournament into the next event for an exciting time.

There are several different types of community service opportunities that you can take part in. Each community service opportunity offers you a chance to take part in something that allows you to pursue interests and discover new passions, all while helping others. Here’s a look at the various types of community service opportunities that are available.

Pet and Animal Rescue

There are many pet and animal clinics looking for volunteers. You’d be able to work closely with animals, while giving back to the community. Volunteer work that pet and animal clinics are looking for include pet care, walking animals and feeding them.

Local Hospital

The local hospital is a great place to perform community service. There are hundreds of community service opportunities available at the local hospital. You could volunteer to work at the front desk, check-in, food service, children’s hospital, elderly care and as a nursing assistant.

Local Churches

Local churches are always looking for volunteers to help the local community. Many local churches run food banks and shelters that are always looking for volunteers. If you don’t want to work directly with the food bank or shelters, you can always donate items as local churches are always in need of items for food banks and shelters.

Community service is a great way to give back and help your local community no matter where you spend your time volunteering.

If you are considering volunteering, whether it’s at the local food bank, church or shelter, here are some ways that volunteering can help you.

Resume Builder 

 

Image by Steve Rhode via Flickr

Volunteer opportunities can be great resume builders. It shows that you have determination, character and even gives you the chance to build some skills that you might not otherwise have been able to show off. Many employers will even ask specifically about volunteer opportunities in a job interview just to get a feel for their potential employee they are going to hire.

Network Opportunities

Volunteer opportunities are great way to meet people. People of all walks of life volunteer, and by giving your time to volunteer you are forming bonds with them. This is a great thing if you are looking to build up a network of friends and acquaintances that you can turn to for help in certain situations. Your network can also serve as a character reference for job interviews or applications.

Rewarding Experience

Volunteer opportunities aren’t just helping those who are in need, but they are helping yourself. Volunteering helps you build character and strengthen your personality. In fact, people who volunteer have reported that the feel good about themselves and are less depressed because they are doing something good.

Volunteering is a great way to help yourself both professionally and personally. It is why so many people love to volunteer at their local hospital, animal shelter or food bank.

If you are thinking of volunteering at your local hospital here are some things you should consider before volunteering which will help you decide where you want to spend your time once you start volunteering.

 

Image by Sam Blackman via Flickr

Play to Your Strengths and Passions

Think about the different strengths and passions that you have them take those into consideration when deciding where you should volunteer at the hospital. For example, if you like hanging out with children you may want to volunteer in the pediatric unit of your local hospital. However, if you enjoy greeting people, you may wish to work at the front desk or as a receptionist. When you play to your strengths and passions volunteering won’t feel like work at all.

Schedule Your Volunteer Time

Before you make any type of commitment to your local hospital volunteer organization you should schedule out how much time you have to volunteer. This will help you decide where you want to volunteer and how much time you can commit to. Some sections of the hospital require a minimum volunteer commitment time, so knowing this information beforehand will help you make decisions on where to volunteer.

Volunteering at your local hospital can be very rewarding. By playing to your strengths and passions, and knowing how much time you have to devote to volunteering you will make your experience with volunteering better.

1. Make-Up. Keep it really simple and light during the day. Just a light base, lipgloss and mascara. Make-up gets smudged and can cake and crease during the day. Keep eyeliner, a smoky eyeshadow
   and a darker lipgloss and lipstick in your purse, and along with a dusting of mineral make-up you will turn a fresh faced daytime look into night time diva glamour.
2. Apple Bottoms clothing. Unless you’re going to a very formal event, a dark, well-fitting pair of skinny jeans can be smart for day and night. A great transitional piece of clothing.
3. Shoes. Leave your flat pumps at work and slip on a pair of strappy heels. Instant day-to-night transformation, just make sure you have a pedicure the day before so your toenails are in tip top condition.
4. Jacket. A great, smart, fitted jacket immediately smartens up any outfit and takes you from casual to stylish. Slip on over your singlet and with your heels for a great evening outfit.
5. Hair. Keep hair natural during the day and instantly update to an evening look by adding some diamante hair clips to take pieces of hair up off the face and add a bit of glamour.

Five small steps that will take you minutes to implement for instant day to night glamour!