Engaging together in volunteerism can be a valuable opportunity for family members to discuss important social issues and to make a real difference in the community while spending time with loved ones. Here’s how we can help the families in your organization serve others or simply raise awareness among your members about the benefits of family volunteering.

PRESENT A WORKSHOP on family volunteering. Participants learn about the multiple benefits of family volunteering and the tools needed to encourage families to serve others. We tailor each presentation to the needs of your specific group. Click here for more information about our workshops.

HOST A FAMILY SERVICE NIGHT. Family Service Night is a fun volunteer evening that focuses around 5 to 10 “booths” or “stations,” each one offering a simple, hands-on service project for families. If you’d like to learn more about offering a Family Service Night for the families in your organization, click here. If you’d like to order a copy of our Family Service Night Manual, which includes ideas for projects, as well as promotion, reflection and education materials, click here.

OFFER A MONTHLY CALENDAR OF TWIN CITIES FAMILY VOLUNTEER PROJECTS. DGT canvases the Twin Cities to compile a listing of clever and creative family volunteer projects. This list is ideal for families seeking ongoing volunteer projects. Organizations typically print it in their newsletter, post it on their website or simply hand it out to parents and grandparents. Includes five different family volunteer opportunities each month. Click here to receive a free email subscription.

SUGGEST IDEAS FOR FAMILY SERVICE PROJECTS OR EVENTS. DGT can help plan volunteer projects or events geared specifically to the families in your organization, resulting in a strengthened sense of community and a shared bond of contribution. Projects can range from a simple activity to get your feet wet or a full Service Day. We help identify appropriate projects; coordinate and execute the event (including an education and reflection component); and provide follow-up support and suggestions for ongoing volunteerism. Find out more.

OFFER FAMILIES IN YOUR ORGANIZATION OUR FREE E-MAIL NEWSLETTER. Our monthly newsletter offers simple service ideas and pointers for starting discussions with children about specific social issues. Each month we address a new topic, such as homelessness, reflecting on gratitude, charity-centered gift-giving, and doing kid-sized fundraisers. You can offer the families in your organization this resource for free; simply put a link on your website to ours, or provide us a list of e-mail addresses and we’ll add them to our subscription list. You can also browse past issues online.

CREATE MATERIALS for adults and children (from toddlers to teens) that will bring fresh meaning to existing or newly established family service experiences. In addition, you can feel free to print any of the material from our website (most are available in printable format) to distribute to the families in your organization. Find out more.