This list includes a few organizations which are looking for volunteers.

As a growing and prosperous community living in the Twin Cities, South Asians must also find ways to give back to the local and neighborhood communities in which we live. It is through such giving that we build bonds - bonds that will help us during our times of distress. The Twin Cities communities include many who are less fortunate or going through difficult times. It also includes organizations that are trying to serve the community despite severe constraints in funds. This list includes a few organizations which are looking for volunteers.

A good starting point is The Volunteer Resource Center (www.volunteertwincities.org), which matches potential volunteers with opportunities in the Twin Cities area. It involves a simple form that can be filled over the web and the Volunteer Resource Center matches volunteer interests with local needs. Current opportunities, for example, include volunteers for the MN AIDS walk.

Another set of opportunities include literacy programs across the state. The Minnesota Literacy Council (www.themlc.org) is one of the nonprofit organizations in this area that is dedicated to improving literacy throughout Minnesota. They offer direct and indirect services for many Minnesotans: adults and at-risk children, native-born citizens and recent immigrants, and urban and rural residents. They are looking for time, talent and resources to help the cause.

The Twin Cities Public Television (tpt.org) needs volunteers three times a year, in March, August and December, to help raise funds to keep TPT alive.

KFAI (www.kfai.org) is a community based radio station, which reaches out to a diverse audience in the Twin Cities area. KFAI is looking for friendly people to join our volunteer team at least once per week, for both on and off-air duties.

The Minnesota chapter of Association for India's Development (www.tc.umn.edu/~aidmn) is a local group that works with non-profit groups in India to help empower rural and marginalized communities through projects focusing on learning, health and nutrition, water, self-help groups, etc. The group is looking for volunteers to help with awareness drives and with a variety of projects in the above categories.

The Big Brothers and Big Sister (www.bbbsa.org) is an organization that provides mentors to young children from single parent homes in economically difficult times. This demands a longer-term commitment but results in very rewarding relationships.

A shortage of 20,000 houses for families in TC with incomes less than $19000 is predicted by the end of this decade. Habitat for Humanities (www.tchabitat.org) is an organization committed to providing habitat to low income families. However, you do not have to build to volunteer. Numerous office and behind the scene opportunities exist.