Volunteer work - Advice requested

[Baralis]

I have been unemployed for several months now and I have found myself sitting around wasting a lot of time and getting soft. I thought to myself why am I wasting all this time? I should be doing something productive with myself so why not spend this time doing something for the less fortunate.

My plan: put an add out offering free labor to those that are disabled or elderly and unable to perform small minor tasks around their home for people that reside in my town of residence (paint, rake leaves, pull weeds, move items, walk pets, ect). Once they reply I can schedule a time with them that works for both of us.


My question: Are their any possible legal (or otherwise) repercussions/down sides that I should be aware of? Lets say someone asks me to make a minor repair or paint something but later are unsatisfied for whatever reason. Will they be able to sue me? Or should I go about things differently? I thought about joining an all ready established volunteer team but I live in a fairly small community and volunteer organizations seem difficult to find in the area. Any thoughts would be welcome.

One would hope that someone trying to help wouldn't need to worry about such things but we all know the saying, no good deed goes unpunished.

Thank you

 

[MaggieD]

I have been unemployed for several months now and I have found myself sitting around wasting a lot of time and getting soft. I thought to myself why am I wasting all this time? I should be doing something productive with myself so why not spend this time doing something for the less fortunate.

My plan: put an add out offering free labor to those that are disabled or elderly and unable to perform small minor tasks around their home for people that reside in my town of residence (paint, rake leaves, pull weeds, move items, walk pets, ect). Once they reply I can schedule a time with them that works for both of us.


My question: Are their any possible legal (or otherwise) repercussions/down sides that I should be aware of? Lets say someone asks me to make a minor repair or paint something but later are unsatisfied for whatever reason. Will they be able to sue me? Or should I go about things differently? I thought about joining an all ready established volunteer team but I live in a fairly small community and volunteer organizations seem difficult to find in the area. Any thoughts would be welcome.

One would hope that someone trying to help wouldn't need to worry about such things but we all know the saying, no good deed goes unpunished.

Thank you

Why aren't you looking for a job?? Guess what your full-time job is when you don't have a job. FINDING a job.

Beyond that, anyone can sue you for anything. The question is: would they win. I'd say your liability isn't too great as long as you don't start doing electrical work. However, if you start helping disabled people in a physical way? You could get in some trouble. I wouldn't do that unless it were through a volunteer organization. The chores you list wouldn't seem to present much exposure to law suits, in my opinion.

You probably have a Meals on Wheels program near you -- try them. I'd sincerely try to volunteer through an organization. You might even make some connections that could lead to a job.

Good luck. And good thought.

 

[sangha]

You probably have a Meals on Wheels program near you -- try them. I'd sincerely try to volunteer through an organization. You might even make some connections that could lead to a job.

Good luck. And good thought.

I agree. Not only will you avoid looking like a burglar trying to scope out some old people to rob, it will look better on a resume.

 

[Baralis]

Why aren't you looking for a job?? Guess what your full-time job is when you don't have a job. FINDING a job.

Beyond that, anyone can sue you for anything. The question is: would they win. I'd say your liability isn't too great as long as you don't start doing electrical work. However, if you start helping disabled people in a physical way? You could get in some trouble. I wouldn't do that unless it were through a volunteer organization. The chores you list wouldn't seem to present much exposure to law suits, in my opinion.

You probably have a Meals on Wheels program near you -- try them. I'd sincerely try to volunteer through an organization. You might even make some connections that could lead to a job.

Good luck. And good thought.

Thank you for the advise Maggie. I do currently look for employment daily but I live in a town that still has a fair amount of unemployment. It is largely a farm community with no other town worth mentioning for 60+ miles. Job openings are pretty scarce and when a job becomes available you have a lot of people to compete with. So I thought until I can land a job I might as well do something other then setting around and sulking.

I will continue to look for volunteer organizations in the area. I am glad you mentioned Meals on Wheels. I had forgotten about them. I know they have a similar program here if not them. I will contact them and see if they could use a hand.

 

[Lutherf]

Thank you for the advise Maggie. I do currently look for employment daily but I live in a town that still has a fair amount of unemployment. It is largely a farm community with no other town worth mentioning for 60+ miles. Job openings are pretty scarce and when a job becomes available you have a lot of people to compete with. So I thought until I can land a job I might as well do something other then setting around and sulking.

I will continue to look for volunteer organizations in the area. I am glad you mentioned Meals on Wheels. I had forgotten about them. I know they have a similar program here if not them. I will contact them and see if they could use a hand.

While I commend your desire to assist the needy I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that I have a few clients who do the "Handyman" kind of thing and they all have more work than they can handle.

 

[wolfie]

I have been unemployed for several months now and I have found myself sitting around wasting a lot of time and getting soft. I thought to myself why am I wasting all this time? I should be doing something productive with myself so why not spend this time doing something for the less fortunate.

My plan: put an add out offering free labor to those that are disabled or elderly and unable to perform small minor tasks around their home for people that reside in my town of residence (paint, rake leaves, pull weeds, move items, walk pets, ect). Once they reply I can schedule a time with them that works for both of us.


My question: Are their any possible legal (or otherwise) repercussions/down sides that I should be aware of? Lets say someone asks me to make a minor repair or paint something but later are unsatisfied for whatever reason. Will they be able to sue me? Or should I go about things differently? I thought about joining an all ready established volunteer team but I live in a fairly small community and volunteer organizations seem difficult to find in the area. Any thoughts would be welcome.

One would hope that someone trying to help wouldn't need to worry about such things but we all know the saying, no good deed goes unpunished.

Thank you

Instead of just looking for any job..I would explore myself...''What am I good at?,..what do I like doing?..what have I always wanted to do?''

Use this time to better yourself..go to college...ask local tradesmen if they need a hand...learn something that will benefit you in the future..

Good luck...

 

[JC Callender]

You could try self employment in carpentry, landscaping, etc...until you can land a stable job. You can advertise on Craigslist for free and also go door to door with flyers, but don't put them directly inside of a mailbox. You can spend free time that you're not working studying and volunteering to become better at your skill. You could try a local church (just go to the front office) and tell them you're interested in volunteering and there's a chance they'll know someone in need.

You can also try picking, which is going out and finding items at garage sales, flea markets, etc...and reselling them on ebay for a profit.

 

[sawyerloggingon]

My wife walks dogs at the shelter to get them out of their cages a while and give them some human contact. Only problem is she always wants to adopt them.