After his 93 year-old mother passed away, Dan was thrust into a new world. The world of possibilities. He moved into a wonderful Senior Living Facility and is learning a new way of life. But unfortunately, a lot of his normal routine has changed and he does not have as much to do during the day. So Dan and I began a search for opportunities to volunteer.

There are limitless volunteer opportunities for seniors at every physical level. If you have someone in your life that needs a little something more to lift their spirits, here are just a few of many ideas that are out there. I am sure this will get your brain flowing.

Volunteer Opportunities for Seniors

RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program)

This program is a nationwide volunteer program for adults age 55 and over who are looking for ways to stay active while serving their community. RSVP is part of Senior Corps of the Corporation for National and Community Services. They can help direct you to opportunities in your area.

Local Schools, Libraries, and Community Centers

These places, usually undergoing budget cuts, are always looking for people to help out with different programs. From the basics of reading and math, to music and art, there are many ways to volunteer. Contact these organization’s main offices to find out where you can best serve. You can become a pen pal to a student or read to preschoolers. So many options.

City Transportation System

Dan has found that there is a need to assist first time bus riders. Many people need help navigating the bus routes, and if you know the ropes you can help.

Food Bank

Believe it or not, food banks need help in ways that are not all lifitng and sorting. They send out mailings and do fundraisers, so they have many sit-down opportunities for seniors.

Political Headquarters and Voting Polls

From stuffing envelopes to making calls, there is always a need for volunteers at these places.

Additional Locations

The following are a few more places who are always in need of volunteers: Art Museum, Science Center, Churches, Animal Shelter, Meals on Wheels, and Boy and Girl Scouts of America.

This has been a rewarding experience for me to help Dan see potential in his new life. The best part is that I have realized that you can be involved at any age!

If you are feeling a little down and lonely, look out your own front door and voluteer! It will boost your spirits, give you purpose, and help others! There is nothing better than that!

What volunteer opportunities have you or a loved one been involved in within your community?

Photos courtesy of Flickr.

Susan lives in Boise, Idaho, and is a self-taught artist and a jack of many artsy trades. She is married to professional artist and has two great teenagers. She has her hand in a lot of pots. She in very involved in her community and church. She loves friends, family, movies, eating out, laughing, and  vacationing to warm destinations! She just started her own blog! Visit susansspinningplates.wordpress.com.

This past week, I had the chance to work with homeless moms and dads whose kids go to school at the Vogel Alcove in Dallas. I worked in the holiday store where we were able to give free Christmas gifts to the parents for the kids.

At this school, smiling toddlers run around and laugh, making crafts and painting beautiful cards in the classroom. Only the crafts they make in school are for a cause, sold to help families get back on their feet.

Watching people on the street is always heart wrenching, but at Christmas it seems to be magnified. A young homeless mother shopping for her five year-old is no different than you or I. She loves her kids, and knows exactly what they like or dislike. She passed over the robot for the football and chose the toy truck over the puzzle. She picked out two black knit hats, opting to buy the same thing for both kids, instead of choosing from a variety of different colors. “That way,” she said, “they won’t fight over it.”

A staff member had instructed me to take no more than 15 minutes to let the parent shop. I led her around the store and we filled a giant bag with toys. I waited patiently as the mother tried to decide on several pairs of socks. It was her child, after all, and one of the few things she felt she had control over.

I try to remember that it’s the human connection that matters. Getting a homeless person off the street isn’t about things. It’s about words, inspiration, and letting them know their life has purpose.

The statistics are alarming. In Oklahoma, the average age of a homeless person is nine. Positive Tomorrows is a school for homeless children that also provides help for the parents, in the form of adult life skills classes for the parents.

In Chicago, thousands of homeless kids are enrolled in public schools. They don’t have a place to shower, sleep, or eat after school. For many, lunch in the school cafeteria is their only meal of the day.

In Romania, I saw the street kids first hand. The civilians call them gypsies.

The homeless world has their own culture. Restoration requires teamwork and baby steps. When I teach writers workshops through The Homeless Project program in Dallas I ask them to journal about their life and any negative past events, misted of acting out in rage, anger, or other destructive habits. Be pulled forward by your dreams, instead of pulled back by your past. Civilians think that homelessness is about economics, and most want to try to solve financial problems.

I tried to explain this to a girl who insisted to me that homelessness was about the job market. Jobs might be hard to find in some areas, but homelessness is definitely more emotional than financial. There are limiting beliefs, emotional events, tragedies, and personal issues that keep people from succeeding.

And it’s the same way for those of us with homes. When we can look forward to our dreams, instead of dwelling on the past, there’s freedom.

This year, if you feel led to help, you can reach out by giving your time, love, and inspiration. For more information on volunteering at a homeless school, visit: Positive Tomorrows Oklahoma, Open Air Ministries, or The Vogel Alcove on the web.

How do you help the homeless? What will you do this year to help those in need?

Photo courtesy of Flickr.

Tammy Kling is a life coach, advocate for the homeless, and international author of books including The Compass. Tammy is also the founder of Write it Out, an organization that helps the homeless transform by journaling goals, hopes & dreams via writers workshops, free journals and books. Tammy loves being a mom to two awesome boys, and is also an avid trail and mountain runner, and corporate writer.

You heard me right. My 14 yearold daughter is gracing the halls of her new charter high school with a Spiderman backpack. Her cousin, who is going with her, chose Phineous & Ferb.

I am amazed at how brave these two kids are. They decided to walk into a new situation confident, self assured, and unafraid of the unknowns.

At registration, instead of hanging back and being afraid, my daughter immediately ran up to people she knew an gave them all hugs. For people she didn’t know, she stuck out her hand and said, “Hi, my name is Jessica!” I was so proud of my daughter in this moment. People gravitate towards happy, positive people. All the times I told her that she was smart, kind, and beautiful had prepared her for this moment.

Since school began, more and more high school kids are sporting new action figure back packs. This is because two kids stood up for what they wanted to do, and didn’t care what other people thought of them.

 What are you doing to build your child’s self esteem? How are you trying to raise future leaders?

Whether your first day of school took place in August or September, Cherokee and Cozi  want to help you celebrate the “first day of school” photos. To do so, they are hosting a back-to-school photo contest. All you have to do is upload your “first day of school” photo via Cherokee’s Facebook page here and you could win a $1000 in Cherokee clothing and a smartphone. What’s not to love about that?

PRIZE ELIGIBILITY: Only persons residing in United States who are at least 18 years of age can enter.CONTEST STARTS August 08, 2011 @ 09:00 am (PDT) CONTEST ENDS September 30, 2011 @ 05:00 pm (PDT).

But there is another, equally damaging threat to our children’s health that we also need to address: the lack of space and time that kids get to move and play at school. Anyone who has a child knows that children simply aren’t built to sit for prolonged periods of time. They are built to wiggle, bounce, jump, and run.

So why are schools across the country increasing desk time and decreasing play time? It’s not just a matter of physical health—the decline of play is also linked to ADHD; behavioral problems; and stunted social, cognitive, and creative development.

3 Ways to Make Sure Your Child Gets More Play Time

Are you concerned that your child’s school is all work and no play? Here are three actions you can take this fall:

Courtesy of KaBOOM!

1. Launch a recess campaign

In the midst of educational testing frenzy, recess is increasingly absent from the school day, despite the fact that recess offers nearly half (42 percent) of chances kids get to be physically active during the school year. Not only that, but recess has been proven to help children’s attention, classroom behavior, and achievement test scores. Children in Finnish elementary schools—who get an average of 75 minutes of recess a day—consistently rank higher than U.S. children in International Student Assessment Scores. You can rally your school community to get recess reinstated or to incorporate more recess into the school day by starting your own “Right to Recess” Campaign.

Courtesy of KaBOOM!

2. Organize a Play-a-Thon

Can you believe that some kids have never played Red Rover or fallen down in a three-legged race? In fact, many classic outdoor games are now deemed too “dangerous” for kids on the schoolyard. In Spring 2011, the NY State Department of Health went public with a list of classic games that pose a “significant risk of injury,” including wiffleball, Red Rover, dodgeball, kickball, freeze tag, capture the flag, and tetherball. A Play-a-Thon, or Play Day, is a chance to gather your school community to build awareness for the importance of play and teach kids those old-fashioned games that we all know and love. It can also double as a fundraiser for purchasing more play equipment or upgrading your school playground.

Courtesy of MoBikeFed

3. Start a “walking school bus”

While 71 percent of adults walked or rode their bicycles to school as children, a mere 17 percent of their own children currently do so. Parents often cite safety issues as one of the primary reasons they are reluctant to allow their children to walk to school, but there is always safety in numbers. A walking school bus is a group of children walking to school with one or more adults. It can be as informal as two families taking turns walking their children to school, or as structured as a route with meeting points, a timetable, and a regularly rotating schedule of trained volunteers.

Ready to get started? Sign this Back-to-School Pledge and get a free copy of How to Save Play at Your School, featuring these and 12 additional actions you can take this fall.

What type of playground does your child’s school have? What does your school do to make sure your kids get enough play time at school?

Kerala Taylor is a proud stepmom, expecting mom, and Senior Manager of Online Content & Outreach at KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit dedicated to saving play for America’s children. She is passionate about getting kids unplugged and about building community through outdoor play. You can follow KaBOOM! on Twitter: @kaboom.

Together Counts is a nationwide program inspiring active and healthy living. The principle behind our program is Energy Balance, which means balancing the calories we consume with the calories we burn. Calories in, calories out. Together Counts was started by The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, a national, CEO-led organization, designed to help reduce childhood obesity by 2015.

Party Topic

Join Together Counts and our panel of experts as we discuss balancing everything from school lunches, family fitness days, and the all-important meal planning. During this chat we want to hear all of your tips, and discuss how to make this fall season a memorable one. The party will be held on Monday, September 26 from 9-11 ET (8CT, 7MT, 6PT). Click here to see details about the giveaway and enter for a chance to win.

Party Details

• What: Girls’ Night Out (#gno) Twitter party (Click here to learn about #gno!)
• When: Monday, September 26 from 9-11 p.m. EST (8 CT, 7 MT, & 6 PT)
• Where: Party with us on our very own Custom Tweetgrid! (Use hashtags #gno and #TogetherCounts)
• Topic: Balancing family time and meal time during the Back-to-school rush.
• Who: Brand Panelist: @TogetherCounts, Community Panelists: @MarlaMeridith @scrappinmichele @savorthethyme @bodhi_bear , Moderators: @jylmomIF @Dadventurous @troypattee @MomItForward
• Party Favors: Click here to enter the giveaway.
• RSVP: Use Mr. Linky below (enter the twitter URL and your twitter ID (e.g., http://twitter.com/jylmomIF).

RT @MomItForward Join the #TogetherCounts #gno Twitter party 9/26 (9-11 ET) on balancing meal & fam time http://bit.ly/pUA1La PLS RT

Note: Mom It Forward accepts paid sponsorships for most #gno Twitter parties. During the parties, brand sponsors provide tips, techniques, expert advice, and information on party topics. Mom It Forward is grateful for the giveaway prizes, coupons, and discounts that sponsors also provide to the Mom It Forward community in conjunction with #gno Twitter parties.

Together Counts wants to help families have those moments together during the busy fall season by providing them with a $250 gift card to help fund a week’s worth of meals and mealtimes together or a day out and being active together.

The Prizes

This week’s giveaway is all about staying active and healthy together. One lucky winner will receive a $250 Visa Gift Card (ARV: $250).

Entry Requirements

For a chance to enter and win, please complete the following requirements and leave a separate comment for each on this post, including links to your original tweets.

1. Follow @TogetherCounts on Twitter.
2. Like the Together Counts Facebook page (http://facebook.com/TogetherCounts).
3. Answer the following question in the comment section below: How does your family stay active and healthy together?
4. Tweet the following:

• RT @MomItForward @TogetherCounts loves to help families balance meal time and family time! http://bit.ly/nn55pr #gno #TogetherCounts PLS RT

• RT @MomItForward GIVEAWAY! Enter 4 a chance 2 win a $250 Gift Card from @TogetherCounts http://bit.ly/nn55pr #gno #TogetherCounts PLS RT

Optional Entries

The following are extra entries that are completely optional and will earn you one extra entry for each completed item. Leave a separate comment on this post for each completed optional entry.

• Follow @momitforward on Twitter.
• Like Mom It Forward on Facebook: http://facebook.com/momitforward.

Terms and Conditions

Winners will be selected randomly through http://random.org. No purchase necessary to enter. Giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. ET Tuesday, September 27. See all terms and conditions here. This giveaway is available to U.S. residents only.

One of the most exciting parts of back-to-school for kids is the first day of school. Kids love to spot their new clothes, pose for their “first day of school” photo, and then walk through the doors of their school to see their friends after the summer. To help celebrate the “first day of school” photos, Cherokee and Cozi are hosting a back-to-school photo contest. All you have to do is upload your “first day of school” photo via Cherokee’s Facebook page. Check out Cherokee’s facebook page for a chance to win Cherokee clothing and a smartphone with the Cozi app.

Cherokee is a great option for your back to school clothes. Their brand strives to be timeless, a perfect fit, and affordable. Cherokee also provides footwear and accessories to match everything you have.  They have something for everyone in your family. Who says back-to-school is just for kids. Mom and dad can get a new outfit too. Whether you want something new and trendy or more classic, you can count on Cherokee to have it.

The Prizes

This week’s giveaway is all about Back-To-School Organization. Two lucky winners will each receive a $200 Gift Card (ARV: $400).

Entry Requirements

For a chance to enter and win, please complete the following requirements and leave a separate comment for each on this post, including links to your original tweets.

1. Like the Cherokee Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/cherokeeusa?sk=app_229374760434753).
2. Follow @cherokee_usa on Twitter.
3. Answer the following question in the comment section below: What are you doing to keep your kids organized during back to school time?
4. Tweet the following:

• RT @MomItForward A “1st day of school” photo could win u $1,000 in clothing & @cozifamily app! http://on.fb.me/pipPty #gno #Cherokee PLS RT

• RT @MomItForward GIVEAWAY! Enter 4 a chance 2 win a $200 Gift Card (2 Winners) http://bit.ly/q3oMCY #gno #Cherokee PLS RT

Optional Entries

The following are extra entries that are completely optional and will earn you one extra entry for each completed item. Leave a separate comment on this post for each completed optional entry.

• Follow @momitforward on Twitter.
• Like Mom It Forward on Facebook: http://facebook.com/momitforward.

Terms and Conditions

Winners will be selected randomly through http://random.org. No purchase necessary to enter. Giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. ET Wednesday, September 21. See all terms and conditions here. This giveaway is available to U.S. residents only.

My youngest entered all-day kindergarten only a year after I had quit my corporate job. I remember feeling almost violated. “Why would I quit my job only to have one year at home with my kids? And furthermore, what on earth was I going to do with a seven-hour stretch during the day now that they were gone?”

Tips to Making the Most of Your Time While Kids Are in School

Whether your oldest just entered school or your youngest left you feeling like an empty nester prematurely, here are five ways to overcome the back-to-school blues:

1. Dream big! Write down a list of things you’d like to do, things just for you. When I first started blogging, my youngest was just entering all-day kindergarten. I wrote this post, outlining the various possibilities of what I could do during school hours. After reading that post yesterday and thinking back on how hard that moment had been, I couldn’t believe how much has changed in my life in three years. I even accomplished one of the things I wrote down, which was to visit Africa and get involved in global initiatives. So, dream big! Write down your possibilities and you’ll be amazed at what you accomplish.
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2. Get together with other moms in your area. Don’t go through the tough times alone. Lots of other moms are experiencing what you’re going through. Plan a monthly lunch club, join a book club, ask a friend to go to exercise classes at the gym with you while the kids are in school. Have a fun time building relationships and getting to know other moms.
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3. Develop your skills. Admit it! You have been wanting to learn photography or how to decorate cakes or to improve your gardening skills. Maybe you want to go back to school or start freelancing. Whether you want to start or continue a hobby, get educated, or get a job, look into your options! See what choices are out there for you and go for it!
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4. Have the right attitude! I think a lot of times, especially if we’re stay-at-home moms, we think we still need to be watching after the kids while they are in school all day. Remember that by making me time and strengthening yourself, you will be better able to raise strong kids. Don’t let your house go to pot, but just make sure to carve out time for yourself and no guilt allowed when you do!
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5. Be part of their school experience. The first couple of years my kids were in school seemed busier than my past job. I was PTO president one year, designed the yearbook the next year, chaired the cultural awareness committee as well as the school carnival in addition to volunteering weekly in the classroom. To say I went overboard is an understatement. But, at the same time, I really knew what was going on in their school lives and I was happy to help make a difference. Volunteering at the school comes in so many forms. And statistics show that kids do better when their parents are involved. So don’t be afraid to use some of your new found time to go into the classroom and make a difference in your child’s education.

What is the biggest joy and challenge of sending your kids off to school each year? Tips for making the most of the school years?

Six Tips for an Eco-friendly School Year

1. Pack a Waste-free Lunch

It’s estimated that Americans go through 100 billion plastic bags a year—this averages to 360 bags per person! Have your child pick out a fun reusable lunch box or bag to use throughout the school year. Rely on reusable containers and water bottles for packing food and drinks. If you do use plastic bags, recycle them. Clean and dry Ziploc® bags can be recycled at most local grocery stores where you drop off plastic shopping bags.

2. Choose Greener School Supplies

In the U.S. alone, approximately 11,600 incense-cedar trees are cut down to create the two billion pencils made each year. When hitting the school supply aisle this year, opt for supplies wrapped in limited packaging and recycle what you can. Consider purchasing eco-friendly supplies, like recycled fiber or reusable mechanical pencils, refillable pens and paper clips made from recycled steel.

3. “Upcycle” Last Year’s Supplies

Three-ring binders that are still in great working order can easily be refurbished at home, saving you the expense of buying new ones. Here’s a fun, crafty idea: cover the entire exterior of the binder with a sheet of contact paper, then trim to size for a clean, modern-look. I like using cork contact paper. Make it a fun after-school project, and even have your kids decorate the “new” notebook.

4. Encourage School Cafeterias to Buy Local

I think we can all agree with Jamie Oliver that most school cafeteria menus could use a healthy makeover. Urging your school to buy local ingredients will not only help waistlines, but also the planet too. At the next PTA meeting, discuss the topic with other parents and consider connecting with school administrators about bringing local food to the cafeteria for sustainable and healthy lunches. Contact the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service for resources and information on farm-to-school programs.

5. Green Your Head to Toe 

To avoid sticker shock and find clothes with less of an environmental impact, shop at thrift stores and trendy second-hand stores. Another fun way to save money and help the planet is to arrange a clothing swap party with friends or relatives—your niece’s jeans from last season may be a perfect fit for your own daughter this year (thankfully, skinny jeans are still in!). If new clothes are a must, aim for more sustainable fabrics, like organic cotton or earth-friendly bamboo.

6. Recycle Old Electronics

If you’re upgrading your family’s electronics this year, be mindful of recycling old models. You can even earn rewards, or, cash in some cases, for doing so—visit www.recyclebank.com to check the value of your old electronics and for ways to earn points for your green deed. Don’t forget to recycle the batteries, too. You can drop them off at most business supply stores.

If we all pledge to make greener decisions this school year, imagine the collective impact we would have on the planet. Involving your kids in the fun, too, will set them up for adopting eco-friendly habits over the years and make the world a greener place for generations to come.

What are ways that you and your family plan to go green this school year? What tips and tricks help you and your family live greener lives?

Ali Kalis is the director of digital marketing at Recyclebank, the company that rewards people for taking everyday green actions. Ali has always had a personal interest in social entrepreneurship, sustainability and healthy living, and holds a certificate in integrated nutrition as well as an MBA. She and her photographer husband, Amani, live in Brooklyn with their young son, Satchel, and miniature pincher, Jinx.