4 ways to fulfill your New Year’s resolution to give back to the community

via GIPHY

But what about the people who don’t have families, jobs or the money to travel? This year, make your 2016 resolution to give back to your community. Not all charities require donating your holiday bonus. You can simply give the gift of your time, which sometimes comes at a much higher value.

via GIPHY

Here’s a list of organizations that come with awesome opportunities.

Urban Ministry Center and HousingFest

Homelessness is a crisis in every major city across America. Urban Ministry Center is striving to end homelessness in Charlotte by starting at the root of the problem: finding a home for our most vulnerable homeless victims. Once housing is fulfilled, they can start to help with other issues such as hunger, medical illness and job security. You can participate in a number of day-to-day volunteer activities for groups and individuals, like making sandwiches or driving vans.

How about also seeing some music while you give back? UMC is hosting HousingFest, an all-day concert to raise money through the power of music. Pretty cool, right? Tickets are $39, with a lineup of artists ranging from singer/songwriter Josh Ritter to folk-pop group Matrimony. The concert fundraiser takes place at the Fillmore on May 28, 2016.

Read Charlotte

60% of third-grade students in Mecklenburg County aren’t reading at grade level. Read Charlotte has formed to help reduce this number in half by 2025.

You can take a part in this incredible movement by simply taking one hour per week to read to a CMS-schooled child. Spare your lunch hour, save that $10 you were going to spend, and return to work feeling inspired.

HeadCount

You might be thinking to yourself that you need to register to vote for this upcoming election ASAP. Tons of young adults go unregistered and therefore are forced to forfeit their most powerful right that might influence generations to come. HeadCount finds that by registering people to vote at concerts, they can translate the power of music into real action. Many of your favorite artists and influencers might already be supporting this movement! No matter your political views, you can be an active force in driving your community to participate in making our world a better place.

Headcount is nation-wide, but has just joined us here in Charlotte. This is great news for the community, and you can sign up to volunteer at concerts today. You will be actively seeking out people at shows to register, and can enjoy the music afterwards. Check out the list of opportunities in Charlotte, which will continue to grow with support from us.

Hands On Charlotte

One of the main reasons people don’t volunteer or donate is because they don’t know where to start. Don’t worry; Hands On Charlotte facilitates volunteering for multiple charities through their convenient monthly calendar. You can find anything to fit your niche, whether that be with pet visits to assisted living homes, bowling with special needs adults or simply helping sort canned goods and clothing at a local food bank.

HOC is a great way to meet fellow volunteers while giving back.  All that’s required is a simple, hour-long introductory meeting and a $20 one-time fee. At the meeting you’ll meet organizer, Doug Macomb, and learn more about why volunteering in Charlotte is important. Don’t forget to grab your T-shirt on the way out.