There are a gazillion ways to find models. Start with your local college (even a community college). Post an ad on a bulletin board. There will usually be an Art Dept. that has figure models or life models who pose for classes and will be interested picking up some extra income. If the school has a design or fashion or architecture school, there will usually be a student interested in trade: you shoot their clothing or portfolio or mock-ups and they'll pose for you. Anyone involved in drama will want headshots as well so the Theatre Dept students will line up for you. And you'll probably also find some students interested in posing "just for the heck of it."
Second, if you look at model mayhem you'll find some models who list their email addresses or websites. You want to find a professional traveling model. I know, you don't want to pay for a model. But the deal is: if you have no experience shooting models, than your first work is going to be crappy. Hiring a professional for your first shoot is going to make a huge difference. Just tell her or him "this is my first shoot with a person" and that model will be able to create their own poses, identify good settings, have a wardrobe that works (or none if that's the direction you're going and be comfortable with it), and have suggestions for you with your composition. I'm serious--hire a professional. You're more likely to get photos from your first shoot that you can use AND you'll learn so much.
Third, post an ad on a bulletin board at your local community center. The one near me has classes on photography and a range of other art courses (painting, sketching, ceramics, dance, yoga, tai chi).
Fourth, find a subject (as in: "a topic") and approach someone involved in that subject. For instance, approach a ballet dancer and ask him if she'll pose for you (and you'll send her edits she can use for her portfolio). Or a yoga instructor. Or a mixed martial arts student. There is a dog sports competition near you (like an agility competition or Noseworks or Rally)? Show up and ask some of the teams if you can shoot them. Cosplay is a great way to get subjects to pose for you--find a local group or event and show up. And then ASK people "can I shoot you?" and they'll eager pose to show off their work. I bet your area has a farmer's market. Show up after setup is done, look for a booth that isn't busy. Buy a cookie or loaf of bread and ask them to pose for a few shots. Local 4th of July Parades are a great way to find subjects who will give you 5 minutes of posing--from the local HS band in the parade to people who'll be riding in cars in the middle of the parade.
Fifth--use social media. I know a number of photographers (very serious ones) who say they get more models from Facebook than MM. Instagram is another good place to go.
Sixth, is there a local studio near you? I'm in the DC area. All of the studios that have rental space have websites. And on their websites they have lists of models that are affiliated with their studio--shoot with them and get reduced rates.
Seventh, look at "Meet-up" (the website). Find photography groups local to you (there are about 70+ in my area). While some will be about wildlife or shooting products, there will definitely be a few involving models or workshops with models.
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