By working with your local school system and eye care specialists, you can provide both free vision screenings and eyeglasses for local youngsters. This would be especially significant for recent immigrants or members of refugee families.

Hearing Conservation

Vocational Guidance

First hand knowledge of a workplace environment is a priceless experience for youngsters.  Lions can provide this by inviting secondary school students to be their guests at work.   Not only will young people understand the discipline and procedures of a particular profession, these experiences may also influence possible career choices.

Adopt-a-Buddy Mentoring Program

This could well be a natural follow-up to the vocational guidance initiative suggested above. As a Lion  you could, perhaps, meet with the student at least once a month for a year.  Not only will that young man or woman become more familiar with the position as time goes by, the Lion mentor will encourage the achievement of career goals.

Outreach Initiatives

Environmental Services

There are any number of projects with which Lions clubs serve their community leader in environmental concerns.  Perhaps you can adopt a section of highway, park, river, stream or other local site.  

Literacy

Work with local businesses, libraries and schools to collect books, puzzles, educational toys, videotapes and audiotapes for children from low income families, at social service agencies or who are recent immigrants or refugees learning to read a new language.

Partnerships for Children at Risk

Oftentimes, we refer to many of these unfortunate youngsters as "street children," and there are literally millions of them.   Lions, in partnering with various social agencies, can furnish food, clothing and medical assistance and even provide them with incentives to return to school or enroll in vocational programs.

It is unfortunate that in economically developed nations, childhood and adolescent obesity is on the rise.  To reverse this trend, you can sponsor a youth sports team or even a tournament and there by promote physical fitness and healthy lifestyles that will remain with them into adulthood.

Bikes-for-Life

This is a workable and unique program that will have far-reaching benefits for the recipients. It will also provide further exposure of the active concern Lions have for people in need.   Ask local bicycle shops to serve as donation centers for used bicycles and tri cycles, including those for the disabled. The shop owners would then sell bike parts to your club at discounted prices and, working together, the Lions can then repair and reconstruct them. To complete the initiative, these recycled means of transportation will be given to needy children or adults.