Volunteering | Dr. Barbara R. Edwards

June 18, 2018July 10, 2018

3 Countries to Volunteer in this Summer

Summer is right around the corner, have you thought about how you are going to be spending your free time? Often, we end up not being as productive as planned during the summer because it is so easy to just sit back and relax. Volunteering abroad is a wonderful opportunity to learn about different cultures, experience new things, and meet some great people along the way. Not only will volunteering abroad this summer feel rewarding, it will also mean more than you know to the people that you are helping.

Haiti

Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the Western hemisphere, and its citizens face unemployment, political instability and major food shortages. In addition to that, Haiti is still in recovery after the devasting earthquake that destroyed their country in 2010. There are numerous opportunities to become involved in the rebuilding process of this beautiful country. Volunteering in Haiti is highly encouraged because of the ongoing relief efforts.

Fiji

Experience island life and do good by volunteering in Fiji this summer. The warm people of Fiji will welcome you with open arms and make you feel at home. Experiencing their culture and way of life is a once-in a-lifetime opportunity. Volunteering during the summer is a wonderful time as it is considered their dry season, so you’ll be able to experience the beautiful beaches and rainforests. Volunteer opportunities are available with projects involving educating young children, teaching them how to play sports and renovating communities. Interested in marine biology? There are countless opportunities for marine conservation. With over 300 islands in the archipelago, there is bound to be a volunteer position that is your perfect fit.

Peru

Despite tourists traveling to Peru to see Machu Picchu, many parts of Peru are underdeveloped and in need of services volunteers can offer. Volunteering in Peru could consist of a variety of different projects like educating children, focusing on community development, environmental conservation, and healthcare. For many of the people in Peru, clean water is not accessible and there is a strong focus on making clean, drinkable water accessible to more communities. If your perfect idea of a summer vacation is helping others out and lending a hand to underserved communities, Peru is the place for you.

Dr. Edwards, Princeton internist practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center.

Curious to read more of my writing? Read my articles on PsychCentral’s blog:

Dr. Barbara R. Edwards

May 12, 2018July 6, 2018

The Joys of Volunteering with Your Children

With summer approaching, parents can sometimes struggle to plan engaging activities with kids to stimulate their brains while on summer vacation. Volunteering is a rewarding experience as it is, and encouraging children to be more interested in volunteering makes it even more worthwhile. Volunteering with children can help them to understand that what they’re doing is appreciated, and they also get a lesson on their local community. Some benefits of volunteering with children include learning through experience, teaching them the importance of taking care of their community, and having fun while helping others.

Life-Long Lessons

Setting an example and being a significant role model is very important because children usually follow what their elders do. Leading by example and showing them that taking care of their community is an important part of growing up. Giving your children the firsthand experience of volunteering while they’re young can help them become more empathetic people in the future. They’ll have a better attitude toward giving back because they know that they’re helping others.

Building Community

Taking care of your community pays off in the long run. Your kids may or may not see results right away but the bonds that are created during volunteering can influence them for years to come. Help children realize that volunteering is important because they can learn a lot about those around them, while also making life long friends.

Dr. Barbara Edwards, Princeton doctor internal medicine practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center.

April 16, 2018May 30, 2018

Volunteer Opportunities in the Princeton Area

By volunteering, you will discover all the benefits, both for the volunteer and for the community. Being a volunteer has personal benefits which include skill development, improved quality of life and making contacts for future possible employment. The list goes on, but volunteering can also be overwhelming if you don’t manage your time effectively. Some go overseas to volunteer in other countries and stay for weeks, but if it’s your first time volunteering it can be better to start off a few days at a time, for just a few hours. That’s why volunteering locally is a perfect way to start giving back. Since I practice near Princeton, NJ, here are some ideas of places to volunteer in the Princeton area:

The Watershed
The Watershed is an organization in central New Jersey with a mission of keeping water clean, safe and healthy. They are constantly looking for people who are willing to volunteer. By volunteering at The Watershed, you could help by clearing brush, feeding their animals, helping out with office work, staffing the front desk or assisting at one of their events. No matter if you enjoy the great outdoors, or to be in an office, there is a wide range of opportunities to choose from.

TASK – Trenton Area Soup Kitchen
TASK is a non-profit organization with a mission to feed the hungry in the Trenton area. TASK truly depends on the help from volunteers. They have volunteer opportunities both on-site and off-site. By being an on-site volunteer, you get to help prepare and serve food. Since offers different programs for all ages, families can find ways to give back to the Princeton community. If you don’t have the ability to be on-site, you can still prepare and drop off lunch and dinner.

Arm in Arm
Arm in Arm is a non-profit organization which welcomes more than 4,000 families to their food pantries. Families in the Princeton area turn to Arm in Arm for food and financial support, and they also work with prevention of homelessness with on-the-job training and job search mentoring. Depending on your interests and goals, there are different areas in which you can help. Help out in the pantry by providing healthy food for families or working in the garden. You could also help the families find work and financial stability by being a Job Trainee Mentor, or conduct mock job interviews. If you feel like you have a special skill you think would benefit the families, feel free to contact them.

Everything you can do is highly appreciated, whether it’s donating a pair of socks to a shelter or serving food in a soup kitchen for a couple of hours. It’s important work like this that will keep these valuable non-profit organizations going.

Dr. Barbara Edwards, Princeton doctor internal medicine practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center.

March 20, 2018May 30, 2018

4 Best Days of the Year to Volunteer

If you’ve been searching for a pocket of time to give back, it can be difficult given all the commitments you need to tend to in your day-to-day life. However, it’s important to keep in mind that there are times throughout the year when volunteer days are celebrated and encouraged. In order to plan ahead, here are some holidays to circle on your calendar that make setting aside time for volunteering a little bit easier:

Martin Luther King Day (Third Monday in January)

To honor Dr. King’s legacy, the third Monday in January has been set aside as a day of service for all Americans. Many employers observe this holiday by offering employees the day off, giving them the opportunity to be of service to their communities. This day was established as a day of service in an official capacity in 1996, and many presidents since then have carried out the tradition of volunteering in underserved communities on that day.

Spring Break (Mid-March)

Many families take advantage of the fact that kids get a week off in Spring by taking a family vacation. Plan to do something different this year by taking the family on a mission trip! This way, you can get away from the buzz of everyday life while still learning valuable lessons about giving back to others who are less fortunate. There are countless organizations that organize trips around Spring Break to take advantage of this.

Thanksgiving (Fourth Thursday in November)

Starting a tradition of volunteering on Thanksgiving Day, or even the night before, is a great way to practice gratitude and provide a meal for those in need at a time that is especially meaningful. The holidays should be a time of love and generosity, and getting the whole family involved can multiply your impact. Donating some of the ingredients you’re using in your thanksgiving dinner to a food bank is a great way to give back as well.

National Day of Service and Remembrance (September 11th)

Launched in 2002, the nonprofit established to remember and honor the fallen on 9/11/2001 announced that 9/11 would be used not just as a day of reflection, but also to be of service. It celebrates the memory of those selfless first responders who stepped up in response to the attacks. Visit 9/11day.org to explore volunteer opportunities near you.

Dr. Barbara Edwards, Princeton doctor internal medicine practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center.

February 7, 2018July 8, 2019

Volunteering with Babies in the Hospital

Volunteer “baby cuddlers” are starting to be recruited by hospitals all over America. In an effort to help calm babies in the neonatal intensive care unit, volunteers are able to hold, cuddle, feed and change diapers of the hospital’s tiniest patients. When a baby is born premature, parents face one of the most difficult situations imaginable—having their baby stay in the hospital, sometimes for months on end. Often, parents cannot be there every moment of everyday to hold their newborn, which is where volunteer cuddlers come in.

Babies need human contact to help their brains develop. A 1998 study showed a program similar to volunteer cuddling helped babies form better sleep habits, focus, and coping mechanisms for anxiety later in life. Maternal contact has been studied as an important instinct throughout the mammalian class in the animal kingdom.

To volunteer with babies in the hospital, there is a lengthy application process, a background check, and required vaccinations. Every hospital is different, and you’ll need to follow their requirements in order to be considered. However, these programs are extremely rewarding and make an immense impact on the life of the newborn, as well as their family. To find baby cuddling programs in New Jersey, see a compiled list here.

If you are not able to volunteer with babies in the hospital, but still want to find ways you can help, you can always participate in hat making programs with a local knit or crochet club. Gifting hats to newborns in the hospital, especially when temperatures drop, is great way to offer a baby a warm welcome to the world. Softer “baby” yarns are available at many craft stores.

I compiled more information about this topic with more baby cuddling volunteer opportunities in the New Jersey area at my blog post entitled, “Benefits of Being a Baby Cuddler“.

Dr. Barbara R. Edwards is a doctor of Internal Medicine in the Princeton, New Jersey area – practicing at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center.