Karma (Action)

Karma Yoga is the practice of Selfless Service; it is action done as an offering to the highest dharma and wisdom, to the greatest good. Rather than working in order to receive some reward, whether that be monetary or favorable regard, the Karma Yogin does what is right, what is appropriate, and what the circumstance calls for, irrespective of personal gain or desire. Karma means action, and so this is the Yoga of Action. The Bhagavad Gita defines yoga as “Skill in action,” and so Karma Yoga is the practice and discipline of skillfully engaging the world and working for the greater good.

Volunteer Work is widely regarded as Karma Yoga. Many people have the desire to help, to lend a hand or employ a skill for the benefit of those less fortunate, but have a difficult time finding organizations that are a good fit. Here we intend to list organizations who could benefit from your efforts, with a brief description of who they are, what they do, and what are the skills/requirements they look for in volunteers. If you find a good match for your heart and spirit, and can find some time to volunteer, you just may find you receive even more than you give. We have all known the simple joy of being useful, and the profound satisfaction of helping another human being. We come to see that helping another is, in truth, helping ourselves; that this apparent separation between self and other is, in fact, an illusion; that we are all connected.

If you know of an organization that would like to be listed on our website, please send details to Info@WakeUpYoga.com. We haven’t had the opportunity to volunteer for all of these organizations; if you do, please share your experience with us!  

ASAP/After School Activities Partnerships needs volunteers to lead activities for kids 1 hour/week at local schools, recreation centers and community centers throughout Philadelphia. In partnership with volunteers (like YOU!), ASAP organizes activities for children during the academic year & summer, including: chess, art, basketball, storytelling, yoga, dance, tennis and knitting. You choose the activity you would like to share with kids and ASAP will set you up at a location that is convenient for you (close to home, school or work). ASAP provides volunteers with training, support and materials. Volunteers are welcome to lead clubs with partners, as well. Since June 2002, ASAP has created nearly 700 clubs, reaching more than 8,500 kids! Requirements:Volunteers participate in a one hour training at ASAP. After participating in the training volunteers will understand ASAP's mission and accomplishments; understand the importance of their role in working with ASAP; be familiar with basic techniques on how to lead activities and work with kids; and, know ASAP's expectations of volunteers and what volunteers can expect from ASAP. At the training, volunteers will also complete the appropriate paperwork for leading activities, including a Criminal Record Check and Child Abuse History Clearance.

 E-mail: asapinfo@phillyasap.org; Web site:www.phillyasap.org

Centro Neava Creacion Like tutoring kids? Come help children in grades K-8 with homework, writing, math, science and history. After children finish homework, they have classes in yoga, photography, or poetry or they work on research projects on the computer. Literacy is crucial and we depend on volunteers like you to work with students one-on-one to help us run a more effective program. No requirements, just that volunteers committ to a specific day of the week Christine Rodriguez, Resource Developer, (215) 426-3459. 185 W. Tioga Street, Phila. PA 19140

Philabundance 302 W. Berks Street Philadelphia, Pa. 19122 Jan Barnett, Volunteer Coordinator (215) 739-7394, ext. 118 or jbarnett@philabundance.org   Philabundance accepts volunteers Wednesday thru Saturday, 9-12 in the morning and 1-4 in the afternoon. Volunteers organize large quantities of donated food from area supermarkets, food donors and food drives. Opportunities are available by reservation with the volunteer coordinator. In three hours volunteer work you can greatly contribute to the providing food for approximately 100,000 people that Philabundance serves per week.

Philadelphia Aids Thrift 514 Bainbridge Street, Philadelphia, PA   The Phildadelphia Aids Thrift has contributed $32,075 to an organization called the Aids Fund. They would not be able to run the store without volunteers, so if you have spare time and would like to join them please email (phillyaidsthrift@aol.com) them, with "Volunteer" in the subject line. Or call them at 215.922.3186 and leave your info in the volunteer voice-mailbox. Either way, they will contact you ASAP. They need assistance with processing clothing, cleaning up the store, cashiering & warehouse opportunities. It is a fun laid-back atmosphere where you can join as one of the many weekly volunteers who help run the store or try them out in a one time only 3 hour shift.

Youth Emergency Service (YES) is a 24-hour emergency shelter for runaway youths and youngsters referred by Dept. of Human Services. The youths become residents of the shelter for up to 30 days. YES provide a range of services--around-the-clock protection, medical care, mental health service, just to name a few. The shelter is in need of volunteers to conduct evening classes for teens in drawing, painting, chess, arts & crafts, ceramics, yoga, cooking, sewing, poetry, writing, physical fitness, aerobics, dance, nature club, hair dressing, cutting, macrame, etc. Assist child care staff in various recreational activities Requirements are experience/skills in any of the areas mentioned; child abuse clearance; criminal record clearance; over 18 years old; enjoy working with teens (male and female) in an emergency shelter. Gwendolyn Bailey, Executive Director, (215) 222-3262 ext 27  

Here are a few links to learn about all the volunteer opportunities in the Philadelphia region. http://www.philacares.com/volunteer/monthly/calglance.htm http://dolphin.upenn.edu/~amsa/volunteer.html http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/vol/