Community Service Projects

Community Service Projects are small deeds of kindness that one chooses to do for the community irrespective of their age or social status. Most of the time, it is kids and young adults who take part in such projects with older people helping in organizing similar events. It is the ultimate message of providing back to the community for all how the community has helped one thrive and grow into their truest self.

People will be able to volunteer into organizing events that can benefit the young and old in their community through collectively setup actions and gestures. The volunteers of such projects will engage in the same, not for monetary benefits since they will not be receiving any. But doing community service projects at a young age will help one gain brownie points while applying to colleges.

Benefits of Doing Community Service Projects

The obvious benefit of doing community service projects lies in the satisfaction one will receive by helping others and improving their community. It is an experience in itself that will allow students to make more friends and grow emotionally into emphatic beings. A few other benefits include-

• being able to add the experience to the resume and even a statement of purpose while applying to prestigious universities. The record of having done community service projects helps one in creating a profile that is polished and impressive.
• helping students to understand their living environment with a special focus on the betterment of society.
• gain a first-hand perspective of the lives of those who are in need which is a kind of social awareness one cannot learn from books.
• learn soft skills including communication skills, problem-solving skills, organizational skills, etc. along with the ability to work better in a team. These qualities allow students to be better people in their academic sphere and work spheres.

Steps to Organize a Community Service Project

To be part of a community service project, one can either look for the activities that are already handled by their locality and be part of it or they will be able to organize their events and ask around for people who are interested in volunteering. They will also be able to do small-scale projects on their own if they wish to though this will be more time-consuming. While organizing a community service project, one will have to carefully go through the following steps.

Step 1- Select a Target Audience

While planning to do a community service project, one must choose who they want to help to decide what one will be able to do for them. One will be able to help the community by focusing on the children there, the elderly, the homeless, animals, the environment, etc. They will also be able to contribute to promoting safety and security within the community. If they are not interested in being part of a group, they will be able to just volunteer at public spaces like libraries, museums, animal shelters, etc. depending on their interest.

Step 2- Consider Scale of Impact

While every act of service done counts at the end of the day in a community, if a student is planning to add it to their college application or resume, they will have to consider the impact of their actions within the community. For instance, one will be able to provide more details about tutoring students in their community or local school when compared to collecting recyclable materials. It will also be beneficial for students to be part of established non-profit organizations in place of doing service projects by themselves because one will be able to accomplish far greater things as a part of the group than by themselves. They will also be able to engage in social work and create a larger impact by working alongside people who are experienced in the field.

Step 3- Choose Soft-Skills to be Developed

One can also focus on the kind of soft skills one wants to develop by being part of community service projects. Students will either be able to volunteer according to their strengths or they will be able to choose activities where they can develop new skills both of which will be beneficial in the long run. One will be able to choose projects that will aid them in their academic life or personal life.

Step 4- Check Frequency of Project

Most of the community service projects that students will be able to participate in will be weekly or monthly events that students can volunteer for. But some other events are held in isolation depending on the budget of the project and the necessity of the same. It will be beneficial for students to be part of projects that recur on a weekly or monthly basis to build an impressive profile in their college application.

Step 5- Check if Crowdsourcing is Necessary

While most community service projects do not require large funding, some of them can require financial assistance that students cannot afford. For such projects, one will be able to collect funds from organizations or individuals by going from place to place and explaining why the funds are required. Candidates who crowdsource will be able to add this to their resume as an experience in handling finances.

99 Community Service Projects

Here are 99 community service project ideas that one can easily do within their community. They are also ideas that can provide more color to one’s college application and resume.

1. Help Setup Local Infrastructure-Partake in the building of local infrastructures like libraries, parks, and other public spaces that are beneficial to the community.
2. Join the Local Animal Rescue Team- Animal shelters often run with the help of volunteers who offer to clean cages and look after rescued animals until they are adopted.
3. Mentor Students for Free- Students who are younger and in dire need of assistance in learning can be approached and provided the required assistance with. Even helping them with daily schoolwork will be appreciated.
4. Arrange a Blood Drive- Students will be able to organize a blood drive in association with the Red Cross which will be highly beneficial for local hospitals where blood is always required. Procuring a location and promoting the event can be demanding tasks but at the same time worthwhile.
5. Volunteer at a Hospital- While students will not be able to help the staff at a hospital without proper training, they will be able to spend time in the children’s section to improve the overall environment of the place. They will be able to spend time with children who are severely sick and provide them with the company and entertainment they require.
6. Offer Music Lessons to Kids- Students who are talented in music will be able to teach what they know to students who are clueless but interested in the technicalities of music. One needn’t be an expert in the field to provide children with the basics that can help them eventually pursue their interests further.
7. Be a Teen Crisis Counselor- While students might not be professionally qualified to provide counseling to other young students, they will be able to lend their ear to the problems that they might be facing. Offering the help that they require or informing authorities that can help them is one way to offer community service.
8. Provide Entertainment at Senior Centers- Students will be able to organize music or dance events at old age homes. They will also be able to perform in front of the people there and provide them with the company.
9. Train Service Dogs- Students who are good with pets will be able to learn methods of training service dogs and eventually volunteer to train them.
10. Foster Animals- Most animal shelters will not have the space to keep every animal they find. Students will be able to take in animals that require shelter until they can be adopted to their forever homes.
11. Donate Essentials to the Homeless- Students will be able to organize donation camps for blankets, canned food, toiletries, etc., and provide them to the homeless shelters or the homeless.
12. Get CPR Certified and Offer Training or Volunteer at a Hospital- Students who are interested in the medical field will be able to get a CPR Certification by taking a 6-month course and then volunteer at hospitals or in training others.
13. Teach Social Media Usage at Senior Centers- Since the elderly in senior centers needn’t be tech-savvy, it is a great way for youngsters to connect with them and also provide them with limitless entertainment. Teaching them to navigate through social media profiles will provide them with means of connecting with people outside the center.
14. Volunteer at the Local Library- Students will be able to volunteer at the local library in organizing the shelves and new book supplies that libraries will have.
15. Conduct a Supply Drive- One will be able to organize a supply drive to collect essential items for orphanages, old age homes, and homeless shelters.
16. Volunteer in a Soup Kitchen- Students will be able to both serve and cook in soup kitchens if they are interested in culinary arts. They will also be able to organize the stuff that soup kitchens receive as donations.
17. Do Social Media Management for NGOs- Most NGOs will not have a strong PR team especially if they are local ones. Students will be able to volunteer in their social media management to increase their outreach.
18. Be a Conversation Volunteer for English Learners - Native English speakers will be able to assist English learners in learning the language by allowing them to communicate freely with them.
19. Conduct Reading Programs for Children- Students will be able to organize reading sessions for children in libraries, orphanages, etc. They will be able to bond with children and introduce the world of books to kids simultaneously.
20. Teach at Community Centers- Community centers will often require people to volunteer as mentors and instructors. Students will be able to brush up on their knowledge and be of guidance to younger students by doing so.
21. Collect Books for the Local Library- Local libraries will often not have a large collection of books and students will be able to organize a book donation camp in their locality and provide those books to the library.
22. Clean Up Hiking Trails and Maintain Them- Students who have hiking spots in their locality will be able to clean up the area, place direction signs, etc. on the trails.
23. Donate School/College Supplies- Students who have completed their high school will be able to donate the school supplies they no longer require to the less fortunate.
24. Conduct After-School Activities- One will be able to organize after-school activities for young students in the form of games, sports, etc. which can relieve the stress of a working day and help students relax.
25. Volunteer at a Boy’s/Girl’s Club- Most localities and local schools will have boy’s/girl’s clubs where students can be mentoring figures. They will be able to organize fun events, sport-related events, etc. for these clubs.
26. Plant Trees in the Locality- Students will be able to enquire with the local authorities and plant trees in public spaces that are empty.
27. Maintain the Cleanliness in Parks- Most localities will have parks or gardens where people from the community go to relax. Students will be able to clean up such places.
28. Help Organize Food at Food Pantries- Students who are not interested in volunteering for the cooking roles at food pantries will be able to help stock the supplies they receive and organize them as is required.
29. Volunteer at Organizations that Build Homes- Some organizations build homes for the needy and other shelters for a public cause. Students will be able to volunteer for such activities and be a part of the construction work.
30. Help Socialize Animals before Adoption- A lot of animals in the shelter will not be friendly to humans due to various reasons. It takes a lot of effort to socialize such animals before they can be adopted by people. Students will be able to volunteer for spending time with such animals.
31. Volunteer at the Local Zoo- Students will be able to volunteer at the local zoo and help them maintain the cleanliness of the place. At the same time, they will be able to learn about animals while working there.
32. Clean Up Graffiti-Filled Walls - Cities will often have walls that are covered with graffiti featuring racist or offensive content. Students will be able to paint over such areas.
33. Conduct a Drug-Free Campaign- Students will be able to organize campaigns against drug usage within their community and create awareness regarding the same.
34. Restore Broken Park Benches- One will be able to maintain the local parks and other public spaces by restoring things like broken park benches if they are skilled in the same.
35. Volunteer at the Local Museum- Students interested in history will be able to volunteer and be tour guides at local museums.
36. Provide Petitions for Just Causes- Those who are politically inclined will be able to find problems that ought to be addressed within the community and provide petitions for the same.
37. Help Clean Up Places Hit by Natural Disasters- Students who do not mind traveling will be able to volunteer at locations hit by natural disasters and aid people who are suffering or help in restoring the place to its former glory.
38. Organize Supplies at Homeless Shelters- Homeless shelters often receive donations that might seem all over the place. And unorganized goods can often go to waste if not probably handled. Students will be able to organize the supplies into easily usable forms.
39. Babysit for Families- Students will be able to act as nannies or babysitters for children in the locality, especially for young parents who are juggling between work and home.
40. Donate Toys/Stuffed Animals at Orphanages- Students will be able to organize donation camps for toys or donate their stuffed animal collection to orphanages and other children who cannot afford the same.
41. Clean the School Campus- One will be able to seek permission to clean up school campuses. This activity will require a group of people and students will be able to clean up the place mostly during weekends or after school hours only.
42. Organize Events to Raise Money that can be Donated- Students will be able to organize talent shows, musical nights, performances, baking sales, etc. to raise funds for charity.
43. Organize Book-Reading Sessions at Orphanages- Those who love reading and like to instill the same love in others will be able to volunteer for book-reading at orphanages on a weekly or at least a monthly basis.
44. Get Involved in a Charity Walk/Run- One will be able to go for a charity run or walk that is conducted in the locality to increase money for social causes.
45. Create a Vegetable Garden in the Neighbourhood- If there is enough space in one’s neighborhood, they can seek permission from the local authorities to use the space and create a vegetable garden that the local people can benefit from.
46. Sign up at a well-established NGO- Those who do not wish to organize events by themselves will be able to be part of well-established NGOs. Such places will assign specific tasks to candidates that they will be able to fulfill as part of the organization.
47. Celebrate Local Festivals at Orphanages/Senior Homes- Most senior homes and orphanages will not have extensive celebration for local festivals. Students will be able to spend time in these places and help them celebrate in any way possible.
48. Help Deliver Groceries to the Elderly- Elderly people in the neighborhood will always need some help or other. Though online delivery is popular now, it would be great if students can volunteer to help them carry groceries.
49. Organize a Book Donation Camp- Students will be able to organize camps for people to donate the extra books they have. If they can collect prep books for SAT, ACT, etc. they will be able to lend them to the local library or those who cannot afford them.
50. Organize a Bake Sale for Charity- Those who are interested in baking will be able to hold baking sales or organize a bake sale event by involving those who love to bake and raise funds through the same.
51. Raise Money for Charity through Car Wash- One other activity students can organize to raise funds is car washing. They will be able to collectively do this activity with their friends and raise sufficient funds that can be donated.
52. Teach Self Defence to Younger Kids- Students who are keen on martial arts and self-defense will be able to conduct small-scale classes for young kids to learn how to defend themselves.
53. Create Awareness of Home-Alone Safety- If there are young adults who tend to be home alone a lot, students will be able to teach them about safety measures they have to take while being alone.
54. Plant Flowerbeds in Empty Public Areas- If there are empty spaces in public that are not large enough for planting trees, one will be able to consult the local authorities and plant flowerbeds.
55. Collect Trash from Public Spaces- Students will be able to collect trash from highway sides, and other public areas. They will be able to adopt different areas of their locality and conduct a clean-up in those locations with other people.
56. Separate Recyclable Trash and Ensure they are Recycled- While collecting trash from public areas students can do the extra work of separating recyclable trash. They will have to ensure that the recyclable materials reach the recycling center.
57. Help Keep Beaches Clean- Students who live near the beach will be able to clean up the beach by collecting the litter. Even if they take just one bag of trash every time that they are there it can create a huge impact on the environment.
58. Volunteer to Help at Community Events- Every community will have its events and festivals that are conducted from time to time. Students will be able to contribute to these events by helping in the organization of the events and being of use at every available opportunity.
59. Spread Information on Emergency Hotlines- Though there are plenty of emergency hotlines in the country, it is not common for local people and children to know much about them. Students will be able to spread awareness regarding the same by reaching out to people.
60. Create Mental Health Awareness Through Campaigns- Students will also be able to communicate with people from different age groups and create awareness regarding mental health issues.
61. Beautify Public Spaces with Art- Students will be able to beautify existing public spaces by installing positive art after consulting local authorities. This can include installing paintings, craft items, decorated signboards, etc.
62. Do the Upkeep of Houses with Elderly Folk- Elderly people may not always be in their best shape to maintain their homes neatly. Students will be able to visit them often and help them with household chores, rake leaves, shoveling snow, etc.
63. Volunteer to Clean Up Local Water Bodies- Most communities will have at least one water body in the form of lakes, ponds, etc. Students will be able to clean up such places or remove plastic waste from surrounding areas to keep the water clean.
64. Help Collect Grocery Coupons for Food Banks- Food coupons can be collected by students and provided to the homeless who will be able to use them at food banks.
65. Be an Adoption Photographer- Students who are good at photography will be able to volunteer as adoption photographers to click the pictures of the child with both their birth parents and adoptive family.
66. Aid People in Registering to Vote- Students will be able to help people in registering to vote. People who have moved cities changed their names or even changed their political affiliation will have to register again to vote. Since the process can be confusing, students will be able to offer help for the same.
67. Take Elderly People for Hospital Appointments- One will be able to accompany elderly people on their visits to the hospital as long as they have formed a bond with each other. It might not be easy to make elderly people agree to the same but if students put in the effort and time, they will be able to be of help to the older people in the community.
68. Organize Fun Events for Kids- Students will be able to set up fun activities, games, and events for the children in their locality. This will help them bond with each other and form a younger community that can rely on one another after growing up.
69. Be an Active Participant of Community Festivals- When community festivals are conducted, students will be able to both organize and participate in the events. They will also be able to do the labor required to make the festival celebration a success.
70. Fundraise to Provide Care Kits for the Homeless- One of the things that students can do for the homeless is provided them with care kits that include basic toiletries and blankets. Since this can be an expensive ordeal, one can organize a fundraiser for the same.
71. Mentor a Special-Needs Child- Students will be able to contact schools for special-needs children and volunteer to be a buddy or mentor for at least one student. This is not a one-time project where students will only have to go once. Students will have to invest years into this project and be a friend to the buddy that is chosen for them.
72. Donate Clothes to the Needy- One can donate their old clothes that are in good condition to those who are in need. They will be able to provide it to orphanages and homeless people.
73. Donate Canned Food for the Homeless- Students will be able to collect canned food as part of a donation fundraiser and provide them to the homeless.
74. Be a part of a Recycling Program- Students will be able to join a recycling program where they will have to collect recyclable materials from their locality and ensure that it reaches the recycling center. They will also be able to recycle materials into art and sell them for charity.
75. Get a Lifeguard Certification- Students who wish to learn something new or are excellent in swimming will be able to take a lifeguard certification and volunteer at beaches and pools.
76. Help Organize at a Thrift Store- Thrift stores often have junk that has been set aside or is completely unorganized. Students will be able to help them organize things so they get to sell more things easily.
77. Provide Gifts to Long-Term Care Patients- One will be able to make encouragement cards to patients who have been admitted to the hospitals for an indefinite period. Handmade cards provided to them can help uplift their mood and keep them hopeful.
78. Crowdsource funds for Just Causes- Students will be able to crowdsource money through fundraisers, and organizing events like bake sales, talent shows, etc. The money that has been collected can be provided to those in need.
79. Help Mow the Lawn of Neighbours- Students who do not wish to look far for community service projects will be able to help mow the lawns of their neighbors free of cost. They will be able to bond with their neighbors better by doing so.
80. Shovel Snow for the Elderly, if required- For those who live in places where it constantly snows, one will be able to help shovel snow for the elderly. One must request permission before doing anything.
81. Knit/Crochet things for Patients- Students will be able to knit or crochet blankets and other pretty things that they can provide to patients in hospitals. Crocheting stuffed animals and providing them in the children’s ward will also be well appreciated.
82. Help Deliver Groceries to Those in Need- It will be a kind gesture if students seek to understand the difficulties that people in the community are facing and would help them in little ways like delivering groceries to them from time to time.

There are virtual community service projects that one can take up if they are unable to travel from one place to another and spend extended hours doing service. Virtual projects gained popularity during the pandemic when students couldn’t physically be present at such locations but still wanted to provide back to the community in any way they could. A few of the virtual community service projects include-

83. Become a Virtual Mentor and Coach Multiple Students Simultaneously
84. Engage in Virtual Games with Senior Citizens
85. Share Books Online by Scanning Them
86. Volunteer at a Crisis Text Line
87. Translate Documents for NGOs and non-profit organizations
88. Setup Virtual Fundraisers
89. Read to Children on Online Platforms
90. Setup a Positivity-Only Social Media Page
91. Help Organizations Develop Strategies for Fundraising
92. Transcribe Materials to Increase Outreach
93. Proofread for Project Gutenberg to Make Reading Accessible to All
94. Be a Virtual Story Teller
95. Provide Online Guidance to Younger Students
96. Share Awareness Posts on Social Media for Better Outreach
97. Provide Mental Health Care Through Text/Call
98. Setup Virtual Safe Spaces for Victims of Abuse
99. Start Online Petitions for the Benefit of the Community