On March 13th, 2020 most of our lives changed in many ways. We were no longer able to function in our communities like before.  For the young people who were involved in direct service to their community, this hit especially hard. It made it difficult to do face-to-face community service when our people needed it the most. And for those who were just starting to think about service, many may be unsure about getting involved now. If you are thinking about how you can help others during this pandemic, direct service is still a great option to get involved, make a difference in the lives of others, and lift your spirits as well. 

"Well, what exactly is direct service?" you might ask. In a nutshell, it is a service that you know or see directly affects those in need of the service, like tutoring students or serving food in a homeless shelter. Direct service differs from other types of engagement like indirect service or political involvement, mainly in that you are giving a service directly to a person, rather than working to make change on a broader level like environmental, political, or systemic issue.[1]

And direct service does not just help others. It can also help the person doing the service. This is called the “Happiness Effect.”[2] Providing services to those in need can help boost confidence, combat depression, expand your network, and even give you valuable career experience. Direct services can be especially meaningful because you can connect with the person you are helping and see the impact you are making firsthand.

Of course, in the time of COVID-19, face-to-face service is somewhat different. Although safety measures like social distancing make direct service harder, there are still ways to help people directly. It is important that we take a moment to shift our previous perspective that direct service has to be in person and instead focus on the opportunities that come with “virtual direct service.” Right now there is a high demand for virtual volunteers. You can tutor, write cards, read stories, or conduct wellness check calls for an organization. You can also help teach technology, art, music, or dance online. Other options include creating a local “Little Free Pantry,” organizing a neighborhood pod, or connecting with a local mutual aid group to help isolated seniors.[3] This virtual format can actually have some benefits, such as allowing us to help people and organizations that we otherwise might not interact with due to their location or previous schedules.

If you are comfortable going out, there are more traditional options like volunteering at a local food bank or handing out health care packages to those who need them.[4] Check with the organization beforehand to find out whether their volunteers are currently working in person, or whether it is limited to virtual service for now. If you do go out, make sure to take proper safety precautions like wearing a mask, washing your hands often, and avoiding crowds. And follow your gut – if you feel uncomfortable or unsafe in a volunteer situation, you should leave immediately and let people know you do not feel safe.[5]

Still unsure where to start? Experts recommend volunteering to do tasks you enjoy, following your passion, and if you are feeling hesitant, volunteering with a friend.[6] Visit AmeriCorps, Volunteer.gov, Volunteer Match, Idealist, or AARP’s Volunteer Search to explore opportunities for service near you. YE4C’s Opportunities page also features volunteer opportunities especially for youth. And get creative! If you see a need in your community, you can start your own volunteer effort using this toolkit as a guide.