Non-profit work eventually pays for itself. After a few months or years of volunteer work, job applicants can truthfully say they “have experience.” To an employer, non-profit work also means that an applicant has a heart.

What follows is a list of charitable organizations in Orlando divided up into focus areas. Choose an area that looks particularly interesting, and research the non-profit groups within it.

Children and Youth Services
These organizations focus on families and children, offering services like counseling for children and parents, foster care placement and free health care.

     BETA Center: http://www.betacenter.org/
     Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Florida: http://www.bbbscfl.org/index.php
     BWOE – F.R.E.E. (Black Women of Essence - Focusing on Respect, Excellence and Empowerment): http://www.freeinc.org/

Community
These organizations work with community members to provide community resources and support services in a variety of areas, including education, housing and employment to help them overcome social and economic difficulties with the goal of creating healthy lifestyles and prosperous environments. Some organizations provide services to the poor, including those relating to health, education, housing and economic development.

     Doing It Together: http://www.doing-it-together.org/
     Dress for Success: http://www.dressforsuccess.org/affiliate.aspx?pageid=1&sisid=54
     Good Will Industries: http://www.goodwillcfl.org/

This is just a sample of what you'll find in the complete Orlando guide.