<p>I have been spending a lot of my time volunteering this summer. While I know my work is appreciated and needed, it seems as though there are so many causes and issues not being adressed. During the next school year, I want to create a volunteer group or some sort of foundation towards a cause that is not getting the attention that it deserves. I just don't know which issues are being under-represented. Does anyone have any ideas? It can be inside the U.S. or international and anything from helping puppies find a new home to a foundation for refugee camps. Thanks!</p>
<p>I'm so glad you feel this way! I'm trying to start an Environmental Consciousness/Detroit group next year (I think the environment is an important cause for humanity to unite on, and what better place to start the cause but a failing Motor City?). Maybe try to think of something that'd have a local tie, and thus be more effective or important to your school?
I went through a hard time last semester and tutoring kids in Detroit helped me keep afloat: I saw so much potential in them, not only academically, but also as people, and I wanted to be a good example for them. I also made a lot of good friendships while tutoring with other tutors and going to Detroit every week made me think a lot about Detroit. Sometimes a project can have multiple effects.</p>
<p>To the main question:
I think how drugs effect the inner cities and wealthy areas is interesting and very overlooked. I both feel bad for the unfair treatment that minorities and the poor get in the Drug War and how drugs effects the lives of the wealthy...I went to a prep school for 13 years and saw many of my friends' lives effected by drug addiction and selling, something that is hidden, unpunished, and thus goes unnoticed beyond friends and family...there's no big movement to help it.</p>
<p>you can help people out by addressing birth control. you know, lessen population, more resources.</p>
<p>I think those of us who work on pretty much any cause think our causes are could use some more people on our side. :) Don't worry, I won't try to recruit you to mine. I do think that steady support for one or two causes can mean more than spending a little time on a lot of things. I give my money to one organization and my labor to two others, and although there are a lot of other things I think are important, that's about as far as I can manage to spread myself and still be reliable.</p>
<p>I suggest that you think about whether there is any particular work that someone in your academic field would be especially useful for. That wouldn't mean you'd have to only recruit other people from your field, but it would mean you'd be a more valuable leader for that cause than for some others.</p>
<p>I would also suggest that you contact some nonprofits in your school's area to discuss work that they think could use more people. I'm not suggesting that you work under their direction, but it might be helpful to you to have someone out there who thinks what you're doing is important and who can give you some guidance if you want it.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks guys! I'm so glad to see that people feel the way I do and are actively trying to make the world a better place -- as cliche as that sounds. </p>
<p>I'll definatly ask a local non-profit organization in my area, that's a really good idea.</p>
<p>I like the birth control idea too.</p>
<p>any other ideas??</p>
<p>I really think it's a lot better to find something you're passionate about than to take a random idea just because it's "underrepresented." Think about your own life experiences - what do you wish you, or someone you know, could have had access to during a rough time? It will be a lot more rewarding for you, and you'll probably put in more time and effort, if it's something you're passionate about as opposed to just something you believe in (they're are tons of amazing non-profits which I am glad exist and support in theory, but I can only choose one or two to contribute to and I do so based on something more than just "yeah that's a good idea.").</p>
<p>Just my $0.02.</p>