[Updated: August 1, 2018 | Published: May 6, 2018]

At Friendship Village of Dublin, we believe the key to a fulfilling retirement is striking a balance between all nine dimensions of wellness: physical, social, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, nutritional, health services, vocational and environmental.

One great way to fulfill several dimensions of wellness is by volunteering regularly.  Studies show spending time giving back can reduce depression, decrease stress, increase socialization and cultivate feelings of joy and fulfillment. It’s also a great way to get out in the community, meet new people and make a difference.

Below are a few local organizations that make it easy to pay it forward in Columbus.

The OSU Star House

The OSU Star house provides free assistance to homeless youth and connects them with essential items like food, clothing, toiletries, telephone calls and counseling services. The organization operates 24/7, meaning they’re always in need of volunteers. If you’re interested in helping, you can donate money, items or time by visiting their website.

Pets Without Parents

Founded in 2001, Pets Without Parents is a non-profit, no-kill shelter for dogs and cats. Their mission is to ensure every pet in their shelter receives a permanent forever home. Volunteers can attend events and foster pets that need to be cared for outside the shelter environment. If you’re interested in donating time or money you can learn more by visiting Pets Without Parents online.

Franklin Park Conservatory

The beautiful Franklin Park Conservatory thrives on volunteers who ensure the gardens stay in top shape, and volunteering is at the heart of the organization’s values. There are weekly, monthly, seasonal and one-time volunteer opportunities to contribute time, talents, enthusiasm and energy. You can lend a helping hand in all areas whether you’re with a group or on your own.

Columbus Literacy Council

The Columbus Literacy Council works with adults to improve literacy and help connect them with the skills necessary to be employed. Since its conception, the organization has grown from serving just 20 students to more than 2,000. In the past decade, the Columbus literacy council has also expanded their programming to include English for speakers of other Languages, family literacy, youth literacy, digital literacy, workplace literacy and workforce development.

A Kid Again

A Kid Again makes life easier for families caring for a child with a life-threatening illness by helping them gain back moments of positive shared experiences and memories. The organization has served more than 200,000 people since it started and touched the lives of 12,638 people last year alone. They have a variety of opportunities for volunteers to support things like accounting, event planning, fundraisers, hospital visitation, social media and more.

If you’d like to learn more about Friendship Village of Dublin or get involved with one of our partner organizations, we’d love to chat. Give us a call at (614) 764-1600!