When you move to a new city, one of the first things (apart from a job and a place to live) that you should look for is a volunteer opportunity. Volunteering has the double benefit of getting you some experience in your chosen field and of introducing you to civic minded residents you might become friends with. You never know, your experience with trademark registration in Canada might come in handy. If you're interested in doing some volunteering when you get to Arlington, Virginia, here are some organizations you might consider signing up with.

The City

The city of Arlington actually has its own volunteer organization that promotes involvement in city affairs among residents. If you have some experience organizing a wedding rental in Hamilton, this might be a good opportunity for you. Volunteer Arlington's responsibilities include promoting volunteer opportunities and charities in the city, reaching out to the city's youth, and helping out the city's environmental services department by doing activities like planting trees and picking trash out of local streams. The city can also help match you up with other volunteer organizations.

A Church

If you belong to a religion, your church or place of worship could always use your help on a volunteer basis. You might come in and fix the vacuum pump systems or lights when they break, help look after children in the nursery, teach Sunday school, sing in the choir, or help organize luncheons and charity events. Volunteering with a church guarantees you'll be surrounded by like minded people. Consult with your church leader to find out what needs doing.

A Charity

There are plenty of charities, both national and local, that are always looking for extra hands in Virginia. If you'd like to bring comfort to the ill, you could sign up to volunteer with the Virginia Hospital Foundation. If you learned English at ESL Toronto you could volunteer with immigration services to help other speakers of your native language integrate into the community. If you have a talent for helping children grow, you could volunteer with Big Brothers, Big Sisters, The Boy and Girl Scouts of America, or at the local school.

A Service Group

There are some services that people need that no one has the money to pay for. These services are often provided by volunteers with experience in the field. If you once worked with a contractor building King West lofts you might put your skills to use building and repairing homes with Habitat for Humanity. If you're willing to do the training and be on call, you could sign up with the Cherrydale Volunteer Fire Department, and if you have first aid training you could sign up with the Red Cross to be a first aider at public events.