Benefits of Volunteering
President Obama has called this the year of the volunteer. But with the economic downturn many are out of a job and many more are worried about keeping their job. So why should anyone work for free? Community service gives you a sense of achievement, pride, and self-worth. There are many benefits to community service which not only profit the community but also the individual volunteer. Volunteering pays off for everyone involved.
Learn or Develop a Skill
I have been a special education paraprofessional for nine years. I originally got the job because the hiring teacher knew me from the community. She had worked with me at our church's Vacation Bible School and After-School programs. Volunteering helped build my experience working with children. Many volunteer jobs such as volunteer fire departments offer opportunities to gain experience and skills.
Networking
I came to know many people in the education field through my position on the local library board of trustees. This volunteer position looks great on my resume, showing I not only care for the community but also the children and literacy. I have also connected with many valuable references. Volunteering can help set you apart from other applicants and may be just what an employer is looking for.
Students as Volunteers
My son is in the process of filling out college and scholarship applications. He has good grades, a high ACT score, and extra-curricular activities. Unfortunately, so do a lot of other students. Community service projects can provide that little something extra needed to set students apart from the thousands of qualified applicants for the schools and scholarships.
Building Up Your Community
A few years ago the small town in which I live was drying up, like so many small towns in the nation. A lot of stores on the once bustling Main Street were closed or going out of business. We are now a Main Street USA community, a program which depends heavily on volunteer labor. The program and its many volunteers have brought new life into our community. The stores are now occupied; we host a rhubarb festival which brings as many as 10,000 visitors to town; there is new band shell and pavilion in Central Park and a farmer's market through the summer months and these are just a few of the improvements our community has seen thanks to volunteers.
Building up Your Community Benefits You
If you wish to have a thriving a community you need to be a part of the community. Taking an active interest in your community helps you make connections, showcase your skills and build your resume. If you wish to volunteer but don't know where to start, check with your local chamber of commerce, churches, libraries, schools, or service clubs such as the Jaycees or Exchange Club. Community service has a positive impact on society as well as on the individual volunteer.
