Volunteering offers individuals a meaningful way to engage with and contribute to their communities while also supporting personal and professional development. This tip sheet highlights the benefits of volunteering, addresses common barriers to participation, and provides a five-step guide to help young adults begin their volunteer journey. Whether pursuing academic credit, leadership experience, or social connection, volunteering can be a valuable pathway to growth and opportunity.

The term “civic engagement” is less intimidating than it sounds! Civic engagement describes the process taken by individuals or groups to identify and address issues of concern within their communities. Civic engagement can take many forms, from individual events such as working the polls, to longer-term, sustained efforts such as joining an advocacy group and educating others around issues that matter to you. This tip sheet outlines 5 ways to get involved in civic engagement that are in addition to voting OR that can be done before you’re old enough to vote.