April has been designated as National Volunteer Month. Technically, it’s a reminder to organizations to thank the volunteers who serve, but it can be a reminder about volunteering. Everyone lives such busy lives today that it might be hard to find time to help out. However, there are many benefits for you when you do give time to nonprofit organizations.
Benefits of Volunteering
- Make new friends and connections
- Strengthen your ties to your community
- Find resources for your own family and friends that you never knew existed
- Build your social skills
- Get opportunities to have fun while spending less money
- Increase self-confidence
- Combat depression by keeping you involved
- Keep yourself physically healthy, especially for older adults
- Advance your career by gaining new skills, career experience, and through networking with others
Finding the Right Opportunity
There are two components to finding the right place to volunteer. First, you have to consider your own goals, skills, and interests. Think about whether you want to work with animals, children, or adults. What causes are close to your heart? You should also think about what you can do, but be careful about limiting yourself. You may not have any experience in theater, but you can still help make sets, be an usher, or work on the playbill. Also, consider your time. If your only time available is on Saturday morning, you might not be a good fit for an organization that is open Monday through Friday.
The other component in finding the place to volunteer is the organization itself. Most communities have multiple nonprofit organizations in which you can find opportunities. You can seek out theater groups, museums, senior centers, animal shelters, youth organizations, and community help groups. Some may have an application process which “vets” the volunteer. It’s almost like a job interview. This can be daunting if you’ve never volunteered before, but consider their side. They need to know that you have skills they need. If you’re going to be working with a vulnerable population, such as young children, you may need to have a background check to ensure you are suitable.
Making Sure You Fit the Organization
When you’re trying to find a place to give your time, you need to ask questions of the group. Just as they take you through an interview process, you should interview them. You need to know what is expected and what kind of training you need to go through. Some groups might be informal. You just show up and they put you to work. On the other hand, you may need to go through a class before you’re allowed to help. Don’t be discouraged if you do have to go through this process. It’s good for the organization, you, and those you want to help. It keeps everyone on the same page and gives you the information you need to be successful and safe.
Studies Prove That Volunteering Is Beneficial
The London School of Economics studied the measure of happiness and volunteering in American adults. The discovered a direct correlation between volunteering and being happy. In another study published in The Journals of Gerontology in 2004, formal volunteering was found to protect senior citizens from poor psychological well-being as they lose people in their life. Essentially, when older adults suffer loss of a spouse or sibling, if they had other connections through volunteering, it provided a purpose in life to help them get through the stages of grief.
If you’ve never considered volunteering, April is the month to take the first steps toward making a difference. There are many benefits to you and your family. Children who see their parents give back know that they can make a difference themselves. Mother Teresa said, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”