No sitting around the house for these teens! 92 young people are spending some of their time volunteering in our community. The 2010 United Way of the Midlands’ Youth Volunteer Corps Summer Program runs through the end of July.

The volunteers, ages 11 to 18, applied and interviewed for the program this spring. Now, they’re donating their time in two- and three-week community service projects at eight local nonprofits. (Lauritzen Gardens, Royale Oaks/House of Hope, Heartland Family Service, Omaha Food Bank/Food Bank for the Heartland, American Red Cross-Heartland Chapter, Children's Respite Center, Salvation Army and Rose Blumkin Home)  

While helping the agencies get their work done, the young volunteers learn more about the "world around them", about the needs in our community, and most important – how they can make a difference by getting involved. The program helps them develop leadership skills, and brings kids from many different neighborhoods together, in a common cause, to advance the common good.

During last year’s Summer Program, the young volunteers donated more than $100,000 worth of time in labor costs.

Other teens who want to volunteer this summer can visit www.volunteersolutions.org/omaha and either browse all of the volunteer opportunities, or search the word "teen."

Year-round, United Way of the Midlands sponsors school-based volunteering programs for children and teenagers across the metro area: "Kids United" for 4th-6th graders and "Youth Volunteer Corps" for students ages 11-18. Also, the "Youth Leadership Committee" offers leadership training through community service for area high school students. Call 522-7933 for more information.

United Way of the Midlands, its donors and volunteers advance the common good of the Omaha metropolitan area by providing our neighbors life-changing opportunities in education, financial stability and health. UWM celebrates 87 years of service in 2010.