Many people want to join organizations that help strengthen families and communities. Some of these types of groups or associations focus on philanthropy, while others feature children's educational programs and activities. Depending on your needs, interests and goals, you may find a local chapter of one of these organizations that emphasizes family and community values.
Children's Organizations
There are many children's organizations that teach and encourage family and community values. These groups are sometimes large, even international associations, that have a local chapter in your neighborhood.
4-H
With more than six million youth and adult members, 4-H is an organization that aims to empower children and teenagers to live up to their full potential. The four H's stand for head, heart, hands and health. Originally started in the late 1800s, the organization taught community youths about agriculture, such as gardening and raising animals, as well as homemaking activities, including sewing and cooking. The modern 4-H teaches young people many different types of skills that can help them contribute to their communities, as well as develop ideas that may create a more innovative economy. This global organization features several types of learning and research-based activities and divisions.
Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America is one of U.S.'s largest youth-development organizations. It was first started in 1910, and it currently provides a wide variety of programs that emphasize personal fitness, building character and being a participating citizen of the nation and the world. The membership is comprised of boys of all ages and from all walks of life. Scouts can earn badges in hundreds of areas, such as first aid, camping and swimming. The main divisions include Cub Scouts, Tiger Cubs, Webelos Scouts and Eagle Scouts.
Girl Scouts of the USA
Young girls can join the Girl Scouts of the USA, which are famously known for their annual cookie sales. This group was founded in 1912 and currently has more than 3.2 million members in more than 92 countries around the world. It teaches girls about leadership, self-worth, living up to their potential, community and personal values and social conscience through local meetings, field trips and community volunteer projects. Girl scouts also earn badges and pins in a wide variety of topics, including camping, sewing and sailing. The major divisions include Daisies, Brownies, Juniors and Cadets.
Community Organizations
Adults can also choose from many different types of community organizations that foster family values.
Lion's Club International
With more than 45,000 local chapters and 1.35 million members worldwide, Lion's Club International is a volunteer organization that focuses on local communities as well as the world as a whole. It is currently the world's largest service club organization, and members participate in a wide variety of volunteer activities. For example, members organize large-scale food drives, build playgrounds, provide schoolbooks for children and provide transportation to local senior citizens who need help.
Habitat for Humanity
If you want to join a community organization that helps the less privileged in your neighborhood, consider Habitat for Humanity. This non-profit, Christian organization was founded in 1976 and aims to eliminate homelessness and inferior housing from the world. Members of all ages, backgrounds and religions come together to build houses in the local community for families in need. This organization has built more than 400,000 affordable houses for more than 2 million people since its inception.
Finding an Organization to Join
Some people simply talk to friends, co-workers, neighbors or religious leaders when choosing an organization to join. Before you commit to any one group, check out the group's website and learn more about their mission statement, membership and organized activities. Ask if you can attend one of the local meetings or events to get a feel for the members and the group as a whole.
Giving back to your community can be a fun way to make the world a better place. Getting your entire family involved and teaching children the importance of family values from a young age results in enhanced personal and community bonds throughout your own community as well as the world at large.
