Looking for something to do since in-person activities came to a screeching halt with the arrival of COVID-19?  The good news is there are plenty of things to do.  Follow these steps to find meaningful activities to give back to your community, build your skills, and/or dive into your passion.

Step 1: Identify Your Strengths and Interests

The first questions to ask yourself are: What do you like to do and what are you good at?

• What are your favorite school subjects?
• What are your hobbies?
• What activities were you involved in?
• What did you wish you had time for?

Step 2: Do Your Research

Want to do community service?

Local as well as national organizations are looking for help.  Matching websites can help you find groups that have remote options.  Community-based Facebook pages and apps such as Next Door often have postings for groups and people needing help.  Your school or local library may also have community service opportunities.

Some ideas:

• Help a neighbor – offer to do yardwork, deliver groceries, or just check-in on them (they would probably love a card or artwork).
• Provide online tutoring Teens Give.
• Offer to teach a virtual class in something you’re good at (think painting, dance, a sport).
• Create a virtual story time – post videos of you reading children’s books.
• Volunteer to increase voter participation. Rock the Vote
• Coders can help nonprofits with their programming needs Tech Republic
• Organize an online fundraiser to support a local nonprofit (Facebook makes this very easy).
• Transcribe historical documents for the Smithsonian.
• Scan a book and help Bookshare® provide accessible print materials to children and adults with disabilities.
• Foster an animal from a local shelter.
• Spread cheer by creating sidewalk art, painting kindness rocks, or making thank you signs for essential workers.

Want to build your skills?

Now’s a great time to learn a new language, do some creative writing, draw/paint/sculpt a new creation, learn to code or play an instrument or cook a new type of food.

Some ideas:

• Check out your local library for online classes and virtual programs.
• Conduct an informational interview with someone who works in a field you’re interested in.
• While in-person internships have been cancelled, you may still be able to do a remote unpaid internship with a local business.
• Watch TED Talks or tour a museum online.

Have a talent you want to explore?

Develop it further – start a blog, build a website or app, organize a virtual performance (you can even make this into a fundraiser for a local nonprofit).

Love science?

Do a remote science project through Citizen Science or Zooniverse.

Don’t forget to look for organizations and contests to submit your work – who knows, you might win an award.  One example: jGirls Magazine – self-identifying Jewish teenage girls ages 13-19 can submit creative content (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, art, photography, music) on the subject of their choice for consideration for publication in their online magazine.

Step 3: Get Involved

 Pick an activity that will help you grow by trying something new, honing a talent, or taking on a new responsibility.  This is not about building your resume for college.  This is about building yourself.  Step out of your comfort zone.  Try something new.  Who knows?  You may discover a new passion or talent that could lead you to a place you would never have gone before.