Anonymous wrote:Where did you go? Most places I have investigated require volounteers to be 16 or older.

This has been my experience as well.

Where did you go? Most places I have investigated require volounteers to be 16 or older.

OP - It was a very good initial experience, but perhaps if you three could make it ta regular part of this summer, it might make a real connection that there are families on both ends of the spectrum in your community or at least the DC area. You are on the right track to give your kids a view into another's world and to make them care.

Op , where did you do this? I would like my kids to get there eyes opened sometimes, and realize that life is not all about buying wii games and what's for dessert.

No one cares.

…

Thanks.

Tonight, I took my two children, ages 15 and 11, to serve 'snack' at a local homeless shelter. Not only did we get to 'bond' as a family, my two kids who admittedly live a rather sheltered, privileged life of private school and vacations and a nice home got to realize that these are real people who are homeless. I think it really helped them to see that their minuscule problems of not having the latest iPhone or getting a bad grade on a math test really pale in comparison to the fact that there are kids their age who don't even have a house.

It was a great experience. I highly recommend doing something like it with your teens/preteens.