Volunteering in Arizona
Many travelers experience a call to service while on the road. It’s common enough to find travelers stayed in an area to volunteer for weeks, and sometimes even years, when they only intended to be passing through. Travel can awaken a profound compassion within us. However, if you find yourself returned to the States permanently, or only for a bit of interim downtime, your volunteer services at home can still have an international impact.
If you find yourself in Arizona, or simply passing through, why not lend a hand volunteering in the temporary housing communities that service the over 10,000 displaced Iraqi refugees living in America. There are several great organizations, like TIARC, who help displaced people from war torn areas find a place to settle, continue their education, and find a job.
Without dedicating your life to organizations like UNHCR, or even leaving your own country, this is one way to remain involved in international service and give back to an issue you may feel passionately about.
2010-06-08 22:25
There is a non-profit called W.H.E.A.T in Phoenix, Arizona. They have a hand to hand store (a fair trade store) that sells crafts from artisans all over the world. I think it's the only fair trade store in Phoenix. You can learn about the stories of the artisans and volunteer in the store. It's a great way to learn a little bit about the world if you are thinking about traveling or want a way to learn about cultures without leaving home. Their website is www.hungerhurts.org.
2010-06-08 23:26
Thanks for the link Nilesh! Looks like a great organization.