Are you ready to make a difference throughout 2025? Keep reading to learn about community service ideas and how to make giving back an ongoing part of your life!
The beginning of the new year is synchronous with new ideas and hopeful vision boards. Between the tradition of making resolutions and the “fresh start effect,” people frequently set new personal goals in January, such as visiting family more, speaking positive affirmations, or decreasing screen time. Additionally, the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the third Monday of January, recognized as a day of service, reminds us of the power of giving back and why it is essential every day of the year. This year, consider setting and fulfilling an ongoing goal everyone can benefit from: giving back to the community.
Here are four great reasons why January is the perfect time to start giving back!
Embrace the Giving Spirit Year-round
While the holiday season often brings a wave of donations, January can be a quieter time for nonprofits, community organizations, and afterschool programs near you. The needs, however, continue long after the decorations come down! If you associate the holidays with gratitude and giving, consider carrying that spirit into January and beyond! Reflect on the impact of giving back and how meaningful it is for everyone involved. Hold onto these feelings to create realistic, actionable ways to make giving a regular part of your life. Starting in January helps to fill a critical gap and establish a reliable routine of support and positivity in your community.
Establish New Healthy Habits and Skills
Establishing a sustainable routine is key to achieving any goal, including making volunteerism a regular part of your life. Start by auditing your lifestyle: review your schedule, transportation options, interests, and local opportunities. What is doable? What is fulfilling? Be realistic and flexible, allowing room to pivot if things don’t go as planned. The main thing is to open your heart, take action, and learn as you go.
Consider the type, location, and cadence of your volunteer work. Whether it’s a one-time event, a monthly commitment, a seasonal role as a Girls on the Run coach, or a recurring donation, the pattern you establish now can ripple into long-term impact.
Additionally, just as many people make resolutions to learn a new language or technical skill, giving back is a chance to expand your passion, talents, and the legacy you leave in this world. No matter the organization or cause, the habits you build now can create a lasting impact on both your life and others. Why not grow as a person while helping to create a more supported, empowered, and connected world around you?
Boost Mental Health Season After Season
Between the bitter temperatures and the pressure of re-establishing a routine, the first months of the year can feel dark and gloomy. The bright news is that we have a sunny solution! Studies show that giving back boosts moods for people of all ages. Volunteering and community service can not only counteract seasonal blues and overall stress levels, but it can even extend your life. The more you use your time, talent, or treasure to help a cause, the more likely your mental health and morale will improve. As a result of these positive feelings, you may feel more confident in all areas of your life– in relationships, at work, and beyond!
Inspire More People to Get Involved
The new year is a perfect time to inspire others. Giving back to your community is a deeply rewarding and important way to spend your free time, and if you become someone who frequently engages in this work, you have the unique ability to inspire others to do the same. How?
- First, share your ‘why.’ People are drawn to passion. Open up about why you give back and how it’s impacted your life. Highlight meaningful moments, relationships, and success stories.
- Second, lead by example. Show, don’t tell! Share photos (if allowed) or invite others to your events. Seeing your efforts firsthand may be the nudge someone needs to start.
- Next, keep it simple. Many people hesitate to give back because they don’t know how to start. Offer easy entry points or invite them to join you on a project. A friend makes any experience more welcoming, after all!
- Lastly, have an inclusive mindset and be a trusted resource. Community impact is not a one-size-fits-all model. Some people prefer being hands on at a donation drive, whereas others enjoy helping behind a computer screen. Encourage folks to take part in what best aligns with their skills, interests, and availability. Celebrate every win and show how powerful community impact can be when volunteering together!
The start of the year is more than a blank calendar — it’s an opportunity to reimagine how you connect with the world around you.
As behavioral science has confirmed, the temporal landmark of the new year is a time when many people reframe their self-concept and set new intentions. This year, utilize your clean slate for the greater good. By making giving back a part of your everyday life, you’re not just making a resolution; you are building a life full of compassion and community. Whether picking up litter, walking shelter dogs, or coaching girls at an afterschool program, every act helps communities thrive.
Why wait? Take the first step today and watch your small acts of kindness spark joy and hope for others AND within yourself.
Learn more about how GOTR girls make a difference from coast to coast through the Community Impact Projects they build each season!
Are you interested in giving back by volunteering for a girl empowerment program that inspires girls near you? Find a team in your community!
