Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit that works in all fifty states in the United States, as well as in many other countries. This organization focuses primarily on promoting livable housing for people and has initiatives around home construction, making homes livable for the elderly, neighborhood revitalization, and disaster response. Students in either high school or college are able to start a student-led campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity. When they have organized a campus-chapter, they are able to set up volunteer opportunities in their local communities, educate their school and community on issues related to housing and the organization, help with fundraising to support more housing in their local community, and meet with community officials to discuss issues and legislation around housing. These chapters exist at high schools and universities all throughout the United States and this organization has become very well-known and respected on issues of housing.

The American Red Cross is a larger organization with chapters throughout the United States that focuses on disaster and crisis relief. This includes supporting disaster relief after hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, wildfires and other disasters, hosting opportunities for blood donation, health and safety courses, delivering international aid, and supporting military families. The American Red Cross has also helped to support communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are two ways that youth can engage with volunteer work at the American Red Cross. First, they can start or join a local Red Cross club within their school. Additionally, if they are in college, they are able to intern with the American Red Cross. The opportunities for student volunteers can range from direct disaster relief work, to communications support, to fundraising.

The Humane Society is a national organization that focuses on animal welfare and sheltering. Youth must be sixteen years of age or older in order to volunteer with the Humane Society and there are several different types of programs in which they can participate. These include individual service projects such as hosting a fundraiser or craft-making of toys for animals, as well as volunteering shifts for students entering their tenth grade year along with recent high school graduates. Student volunteers can care for animals that will soon be in new homes, help customers who are interested in adopting animals, and shadowing the animal care and veterinary services staff at the Humane Society. The Humane Society also offers education programming and workshops for students of all ages with programs ranging from animal storytelling for young children to exploration of animal-related careers for secondary students.

The Key Club is a club specifically for high school students to participate in local community service projects and develop leadership skills. It is the high school branch of the Kiwanis International service club. While it is an international organization, the community service projects are facilitated by a particular school’s faculty leader of the key club. The type of volunteering or service work that students participate in is at the discretion of the faculty advisor and the project can have a range of focuses including supporting elderly people in one’s local community, environmental projects, initiatives related to poverty alleviation, and tutoring.