Volunteering has many benefits. It helps us find meaning in life and connect with others. It can help us learn new things and share our existing knowledge and skills. It may even make us healthier.

And at UCA, we believe it’s a quick way to spread much-needed caring throughout our communities (and the world). We think everyone, regardless of age, lifestyle or ability can benefit from volunteering.

That’s why UCA members get access to a worldwide volunteer network called Impact Connect, so you can connect to your life’s purpose.

What’s Impact Connect?

We’ve partnered with Dear God, Are We There Yet, a leading social services marketplace, to give UCA members access to a volunteer network called Impact Connect. It’s an easy-to-use digital platform that connects you to hundreds of important causes. With a global reach, you’ll find worthwhile roles worldwide, from the USA to India!

How Does Impact Connect Work?

When you start using Impact Connect, you’ll have your own personalized volunteer dashboard. Here, you’ll find:

A welcome video.
Featured CARE (children, animals, reforestation, and elderly) opportunities.
Hundreds of other available volunteer opportunities in different 25+ categories, both virtual and in-person.
Current news about the volunteering world.
A tracker to log your volunteer hours, so you can keep track of the positive impact you’re making.
And more!

You can also post your own causes to recruit eligible volunteers, and upload pictures of inspirational volunteer moments.

What Volunteer Opportunities are Available?

With Impact Connect, you’ll find opportunities for all interests, lifestyles, and abilities. Choose from causes like:

Women’s wellness
Disaster relief
LGBTQ+ support
Homelessness and housing
Animal rescue
Environmental initiatives
Human rights and advocacy
Etc.

You can sort opportunities by short or long-term, and online or in-person.

The Featured Volunteer Opportunities section of your dashboard is updated monthly with new causes. These are specifically tailored to the interests of UCA members.

Below, we’ve highlighted one of this month’s many worthwhile featured opportunities.

Autism Rocks and Rolls

Autism Rocks and Rolls is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that advocates for the acceptance of people on the autism spectrum. The organization was founded by then 19-year-old Sam Mitchell, who himself is on the autism spectrum.

As an entrepreneur, podcaster, writer and public speaker, Sam’s goal is to show the world, especially others with autism, that an autism diagnosis and a successful life aren’t mutually exclusive.

Services provided include:

Motivational talks on related topics, incl. ‘Getting Real: the Emotional Side of Autism,’ and ‘I Am Not Broken: Not Just Awareness, But Acceptance.’
Educational support for businesses who employ people on the spectrum
Podcast editing
And more!

Autism Rocks and Rolls is looking for volunteers who can help with:

Website building
Marketing
Social media management
Building an email list
Outreach and receptionist duties
Newsletter and brochure creation

Want to hear Sam Mitchell in action? Check out the Autism Rocks and Rolls podcast here.

Getting Started

Step 1: Sign up to become a UCA member.

Step 2: Click on the Volunteer Network tab.

Step 3: Scroll down to the bottom of the page. Click the ‘Jump Into Your Volunteer Dashboard’ button.

Step 4: Click the ‘Start Here’ button to watch the welcome video.

Step 5: Create a Dear God, Are We There Yet account.

Note: while you can view volunteer positions without an account, you must sign up for one to post and interact with opportunities.

You can do this by clicking on any of the Featured Volunteer Opportunities…

…and then clicking on ‘Sign up’ in the upper right-hand corner:

By going directly to their sign-up page here.

Once you’ve completed the above steps, take some time to explore your dashboard, and check out the volunteer roles.

Volunteering is a great way to connect to your community, find a sense of purpose and help others. With tons of options, the volunteer network helps you find meaningful opportunities that inspire you to act.