Offering Assistance: Exploring the Advantages of Giving Time through Volunteer Work
Renewed Discussion:
Hey there! Let's dive into a fascinating topic we've been exploring at ALL THINGS CONSIDERED - good old-fashioned volunteering in the United States. Nathan Dietz, research director at the Do Good Institute, has been shedding some light on volunteerism in this great land of ours.
So, what exactly is volunteerism, according to our expert? Well, it's pretty much any work people do without being paid, done with the intention of benefiting others (although it's not always necessary to work on behalf of others for it to qualify as volunteering). We'll focus mainly on formal volunteering, which takes place through or for an organization - not unpaid lawn-mowing for your elderly neighbor (even though that's completely honorable, too!).
Apparently, only 25-30% of Americans participate in formal volunteering, and that number has never really been much higher. Surprisingly, when Nathan Dietz casually mentioned that figure, I thought, "Huh, that's a decent amount." Goes to show how cynical I've become about people's willingness to lend a helping hand these days.
Formal volunteering data has been tracked annually since 2002 in response to the September 11 attacks, when President Bush encouraged Americans to become more active in their communities. Over the years, researchers have found various barriers to increasing volunteering rates, like making volunteering opportunities accessible to people who might not be able to participate in traditional ways.
It seems that many locals assume they don't have the time to volunteer. However, Nathan Dietz points out that a volunteer's day typically looks pretty similar to that of a non-volunteer, with the notable differences being that volunteers sleep less and spend less time watching TV. If you're like me and caught in the siren song of sleep and TV, don't worry - neither habit makes you a terrible person!
As we kick off this volunteerism series, we want to hear your volunteer stories! Do contact us at npr.org and search for "Here To Help." Nathan Dietz even shared a personal story about his own volunteering experiences, which involved his mom going out of her way to make friends with kids from the neighborhood (despite little Nathan sometimes secretly thinking they were stealing time from him). Turns out, opening up your social circles to people outside your immediate family and close friends can do wonders for your mental health!
- Volunteering in the community can be linked to one's lifestyle, as the act of providing unpaid service to benefit others can have a significant impact on one's personal development.
- The fashion-and-beauty industry often partners with charities to organize events, thereby encouraging volunteers to participate, while also promoting its products and services.
- Engaging in volunteer work, such as providing meals to the homeless or teaching English to immigrants, can lead to lasting relationships and broaden one's travel experiences, enriching one's education-and-self-development journey.
