THE FORUM: Make an Impact
July 29, 2022
Part of Forum 225’s mission by which we operate is to connect members with service and volunteer opportunities throughout the region, fostering philanthropic growth for Baton Rouge area young professionals.
So, as summer concludes and we look to get back in the swing of things following dreamy vacations and beach weekends, we asked some of our young professionals what their favorite ways to volunteer are – and we’re sharing them for this month’s blog post!
While Forum 225 is excited to share this list of some volunteer opportunity ideas, we know this only scratches the surface. We encourage our members to find your passion, do research, and get involved in the community through service – in whatever way that looks like to you. Need some inspiration or don’t know where to begin? Email service@forum225.org.
Here’s what some of our Forum 225 members had to say when asked where they love to volunteer:
Baton Roots
By blending access to fresh food, skill-development, socialization, and art into one location, Baton Roots brings an opportunity for our community to learn best practices in sustainable agriculture on an urban farm.
The Hustle & Grow Youth Farm Management Training program is a youth-focused initiative starts with 10-week spring/fall training (+ 5-week summer training) in sustainable urban agriculture. By being an integral part of the distribution process from start to finish, youth participants will learn the importance of stewardship and the impact that food access and security have on the health of their community.
Learn more here.
Big Buddy
Big Buddy strives to build a community of mentoring relationships that advance and inspire our youth to create meaningful change, paired with a vision is that every child has a positive role model and village to make good choices, resulting in a healthy and rewarding life.
Learn more here.
BRYC
The Baton Rouge Youth Coalition is a free after-school program that helps driven, underserved 9-12th graders enter and excel in four-year and community college.
BRYC students get paired with mentors (that could be you!) to work 1:1 with throughout the entirety of the school year. Mentors and fellows come together in weekly programming sessions for targeted support, focused learning, to stay on track with goals – and have fun!
Several Forum 225 members have and continue to serve as BRYC mentors and will tell you the experience is second to none.
Learn more here.
Boys and Girls Club & Club Blue
Boys & Girls Clubs’ mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. The organization offers a number of ways for volunteers to get involved and work with Baton Rouge youth, including Club Blue.
Club Blue allows young professionals to grow relationships with some amazing youth, and to build new friendships and stronger networks with like-minded peers.
Learn more here about volunteer opportunities for the Boys and Girls Club.
Learn more here about volunteer opportunities for Club Blue.
Cat Haven
Cat Haven is a 501c3 non-profit organization aimed at rescuing felines in our community and finding them forever homes. The organization is leading Baton Rouge in becoming a no-kill community for cats and kittens by providing care, shelter, and adoption services, as well as advocating for routine spaying and neutering for population control.
Cat Haven offers several ways to get involved and volunteer.
Learn more here.
CASA
Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA, are community volunteers who advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children living in foster care.
Most CASA volunteers are people with full-time jobs. Volunteers work with one or two children at a time, averaging 10-15 hours per month. No special experience is required. CASA provides thorough training and CASA volunteers work under the direct supervision of CASA staff. Once assigned to a case, CASA volunteers act as a watchdog for the child and become a stable presence in the child’s life. The personal attention ensures that the case keeps moving toward a safe, permanent home for the child.
To become a CASA volunteer, you must:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Attend a brief virtual orientation session
- Complete a background check
- Complete a required training course
- Make a one-year commitment to a child
Learn more here.
Companion Animal Alliance
Companion Animal Alliance is the nonprofit Baton Rouge animal shelter formed in 2010 to increase the save rate of animals in our community. CAA has increased the save rate of animals to 89% annually from 20% in 2010. Volunteers may contribute in a number of ways, from walking dogs, to play with cats, to opportunities to foster shelter animals.
Learn more here.
Friends of the Animals
This organization’s mission is s to rescue, re-home, or otherwise save as many dogs and puppies as possible from the Baton Rouge area.
Volunteer tasks for Friends of the Animals can include exercising dogs, general cleaning, taking photos of our adoptable dogs, and other needed help.
Learn more here.
Keep Tiger Town Beautiful
Every Saturday, a self-designated group of litter warriors meets at a different location to lead cleanup together in an effort to keep our city beautiful. All are welcome at these weekly cleanup events.
Learn more here.
Safe Hopeful Neighborhood
Safe Hopeful Neighborhood serves as the hub of neighborhood engagement for Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome’s Office, Mid City Redevelopment Alliance, and Build BR. SHN is a citizen-based portal that connects people to city systems, providing residents the resources improve their lives, create change in their neighborhoods, and encourage others to join them.
Learn more here.
You Aren’t Alone Project
The You Aren’t Alone Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to forming a network of ongoing support for mental health and wellness in Baton Rouge and beyond so that no one ever has to feel alone. The project exists to encourage understanding, erase stigmas, and to invest in building the right relationships that will continue moving this initiative forward.
Getting involved with You Aren’t Alone can be through volunteering, contributing, or sharing your story. This nonprofit prioritizes mental health and provides resources to those seeking help as well as a safe space for dialogue.
Learn more here.
We love to see our members get involved in the community – please continue to share with us how and where you like to volunteer, and of course, send us pictures!