Help Out Without Cashing Out by SGA Senator Tori Mclary
- Visions
- May 7
- 2 min read
Have you ever wondered about ways to help your community, but you can’t afford to donate to organizations you care about? The good news is that you don’t need money to make a real difference. Some of the most powerful ways to contribute cost nothing but your time and energy.
Your time and voice can be just as valuable as financial donations, if not more impactful. You don’t need deep pockets to make an impact.
A few ways you can donate your time include volunteering, donating skills, and spreading awareness to causes. These can contribute to positive change in your community without swiping your card.
To begin, you can make an impact right on campus by volunteering at school events or joining student organizations. Some include becoming a peer leader for the wellness center, joining SGA, becoming a member of one of the SGA committees, participating in PTK events, or donating to the on-the-go Food for Thought program. Beyond campus, local nonprofits such as food banks, women’s shelters, and animal rescues, always need helping hands.
For example, volunteer match (volunteermatch.org) lists nearby opportunities here in Paterson. They offer mentoring programs, community outreach opportunities, and a variety of volunteer work. This may allow you to contribute based on your interests and availability.
When you volunteer, you don’t just change your community, you change yourself too.
Moreover, donating your skills can be just as impactful as volunteering. Are you great at math, writing, or even maneuvering social media? You may consider tutoring peers who are struggling with these tough subjects, helping classmates write resumes that stand out, or designing flyers/posts for student clubs.
Helping a peer polish their resume can lead to more interview opportunities, or a well-designed flyer might boost attendance. Many student clubs/organizations need help promoting events on their social media platforms but lack the resources. By sharing your skills, you empower others, gain real-world experience, and strengthen your resume, all at no cost.
Finally, spreading awareness is one of the easiest, yet most powerful ways to create change. Simply sharing campaigns on your Instagram story, retweeting hashtags, or signing online petitions can amplify voices that need to be heard. Social media turns your phone into a megaphone for causes like mental health advocacy, environmental justice, or local community needs.
Small actions such as resharing fundraiser links or educating friends/peers about important issues. Social media engagement can lead to real-world action, such as inspiring someone to donate, attending a rally, or signing up to volunteer. Awareness is the first step towards action. Your platform, regardless of how small, has the power to make a difference.
Your time is priceless. Whether you are volunteering, offering your skills, or spreading the word, your effort matters. The most powerful resources are already in your hands. They create connections, inspire action, and build lasting change in both your community and your own growth.
Start small, stay consistent, and observe how far your generosity can go without ever opening your wallet.
Some resources that may help:
Local non-profits:
List of clubs/organizations PCCC:
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