Simple Ways to Help Others Feel More Financially Secure
You don’t have to be a financial expert to help members of your community land their first jobs, advance their careers, or make more informed retirement plan choices. Here are few ways to do just that.
Help Someone Land a Job and Build a Career.
Help a friend put their best foot forward in the job market. At Resume-Help.org you can find tips and tools to help someone build their resume, including over 100 free resume examples. The site also provides links to professional resume services across the country. Or, find organizations in your town like this one that seek volunteers willing to work one-on-one with prospective employees to help build their resumes. If you’re particularly skilled in this area, consider reaching out to local high schools or community colleges for volunteer opportunities. And at the very local level, you can always offer to proofread and advise a family member on the effectiveness of their resume. Looking for more ways to help? Become a mentor or career coach. There are even organizations that specialize in non-profit career coaching. Another great benefit of volunteering in this capacity is that you’ll build your own professional network, too.
Help Her Dress For Success
Learn how you can help women achieve economic independence as a volunteer with Dress for Success. You can donate your clothing, or your time. Volunteers learn new skills, make connections, build their confidence and their resumes. The organization offers opportunities in the New York area and has locations in need of assistance across the US and around the world. Another organization, Women Employed, seeks to expand educational and employment opportunities for women across America. There are a number of ways in which to volunteer your time and talents.
Help a Senior Choose the Right Path
Not every retiree has the financial resources to hire a trusted advisor. If you have a neighbor, family member or friend in this situation, you can help by pointing them toward valuable, free information like where to access public benefits. This Social Security benefits calculator can help them decide when to take their first check, and how it can affect their spouse. The IRS has a page of links to helpful tax resources including Taxpayer Assistance Centers and Low Income Taxpayer Clinics. And the AARP Foundation offers free tax preparation and assistance to families in need. Want to make a difference working one-on-one with members of your community? Sign up to help as a local Tax-Aide volunteer. Or simply show someone how to save money on clothes and groceries.
Find more ways to help your neighbors with this simple volunteer search. Just enter keyword “financial.”
