Volunteer Projects in the USA

This workcamp takes place in an exceptional place, the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve. The work they do for the environment is important to all. The people who work there are committed and fun to work with. While there the volunteers get to meet lots of local people, scientists and of course the international group. We all had a chance to learn about other cultures and find our own voice within the group. We learned lots of useful skills as well. We laughed a lot. I, as a facilitator, learn more about others and myself every year. Hopefully we are teachable no matter what our age. We had two Korean woman in their early twenties and an American of German descent in her mid seventies, an interesting mix and we all got along and loved spending evenings together.

During my time in Burlington, Vermont as a coleader for Volunteers for Peace, the ten volunteers and I created unbreakable bonds of friendship over dinners we shared together. Because the group was so diverse - 10 volunteers from 7 different countries - we made dinners together using recipes from across the globe. The sharing of cultures and customs while we prepared dinners together was incredibly unique, and it is an experience I will never forget. To this day I am still in contact with all 10 of my friends from this camp who are now back in their home countries. The sharing of food and culture together created such a strong bond between us that I know I have made 10 lifelong friends.

Volunteers for Peace was great. They helped me set up my service trip with VIN in Nepal to volunteer in Post Disaster Relief. I was really confused about a lot of things because I had never volunteered abroad before, but they helped me out so much by explaining things clearly to me and answering any question I had. Great group of people at VFP!

Working with Sprout (New York, NY) was a wonderful experience. The work included accompanying groups of adults with disabilities in their trips from NYC to various destinations. The work was not difficult but required much responsibility. It included driving, dispensing medication, enhancing fun, supervising our participants. In between trips I stayed in the International Youth Hostel and had plenty of time to explore NYC. I would not exaggerate if I told that it was a time of my life. I cannot recall any difficulties or troubles whatsoever. I would highly recommend my friends to participate in this project and hope to do it again myself.

Rebuilding houses in New Orleans was just great ! We had different kind of works like painting (inside or outside the houses), gardening (to sell some food to the neighbourhood) or rebuilding houses. One of our most impressive work was on the roof of one of the most damaged house. The owner was there and it was really moving.
I only had some remarks to do about the safety. If you choose to come, you should not be afraid of using machines, tools or... walking on a roof !!
New Orleans is a great city to have fun. You can enjoy the jazz clubs every evening... I really had a great time there and advise everyone to try it !!

Sprout is a non profit organisation located in Manhatten NYC. A few dedicated people and a lot of volunteers from all over the world organize and lead vacation and day trips for people with disability.
After a two day training volunteers are sent out on the road with two coleaders and up to eleven clients with special needs.

The trips are demanding as you're on duty 24 hours a day. You and your coleaders have to plan and take care of activities, meals, transportation, medication, the budget and allways make sure that everyone has an awesome time. Even though all this is a lot of work it also is very rewarding: 1.the trips are a lot of fun and great if you're interested in seeing different citys of the USA. and 2. well the clients are endearing and totally hilarious. They get attached to you easily and so do you!

Definitely an amazing experience I wouldn't want to miss. The coleaders are awesome, new york is awesome the trips are awesome.

It was a great experience. We felt very welcome by the comunity and it felt as if they were helping us and not the other way round.

The project with the Audobon Center was the most fullfiling since we got to work with he kids, the animals and the surroundings.

But that was not the only highlight of the project. During our stay we discovered some nice spots like lakes, rivers and nice hiking paths.

The community was extremely open to us and that made our stay very comfortable.

The social and evening program was very interesting and mixed.

I've worked 3 weeks for Sprout, an NGO located in Manhattan, New York City who organizes vacations and one-day-trips for people with disabilities. After a two-day training we were off on trips with the participants. normally you are three leaders with a group of 11 clients and a vacation-trip normally takes four to six days. Working with these people is demanding and tiring, as you are on 24h duty, but it is also lots of fun and very rewarding!
On the first day of the trip you meet the participants, get to know them (try to remember all the names..), sort out their luggage, pack the van and then off you go. The several hours ride is a good opportunity to talk to clients, get to know them better and feel the group's vibe. Once you arrived at your destination it's late afternoon and you're probably tired (and so are the clients) so you have a rest in the previously booked hotel and find a restaurant to have dinner at. And that's it for the first day. The next days you plan some activities, like going to the cinema, riding a boat, going to a fun-park, whatever the place has to offer and whatever the participants like and are able to do. Of course you also have to help them with their ADLs (daily activities we perform for self-care such as feeding ourselves, bathing, dressing, grooming) and that's about it. If it is the first time you're volunteering for Sprout you won't be bothered with medication because that's the more experienced leader's job.
So, if you're an easy-going and open-minded person, go for it! I had the time of my life, it was really so much fun! The people who work there are super nice and caring and they would never force you to do anything you don't feel comfortable with.
Also when you're off work you stay in one of the best hostels I've ever seen situated in the upper-west-side of Manhattan!
Only one thing: Be prepared to eat lots of heavy food, cause that's what clients love! ;)