What are the benefits of volunteering?

Question

I am thinking of volunteering at a library or hospital, working with kids. Either that or signing up to a big sister program.
Do you volunteer? Do you sometimes resent the time that you give up for no money? Have things ever gone really badly and you regretted signing up?

Answer 1

Yes I have volunteered in a number of different situations and its something that I recommend for several reasons- not the least is self interest.

Yes like the others there is a lot of satisfaction in helping people and in some of my roles where like the ones you are suggesting at the hospital and so on -it has been all about helping other people and that does give you a wonderful feeling of satisfaction and self worth. In other roles I have worked in an organisation just as an extra pair of hands to get them through a tough time and again that was also quite rewarding in another instance I was more or less a mentor for a non-profit organisation advising/ assist them to get back on the right track and overcome operational and financial problems. That last one was actually a stressful and challenging situation and there was no warm fuzzy feeling there but the thing that I would like to point out is that at no time do you ever loose out if you are volunteering. Don't just think about the here and now think about the future and look at the volunteering as an investment in your future because if you ever need a reference you Will be able to get one from the organisations you volunteer from, the work gives you a chance not only to prove what skills you have but also to acquire new ones that will be useful when applying for future jobs.
Your hospital work would demonstrate; people skills, communication skills, maybe things like flexibility if on a roster or perhaps ability to work unsupervised etc. I have even recommended to local Uni students to get involved in the mentoring programme there particularly with the international students as it will be useful in demonstrating to future employers that they have: people skills , communication skills and an ability to communicate with people from a diverse range of backgrounds etc as well as helping with the difficult things that some employers ask like "sensitivity to cultural backgrounds". If you come across someone that is difficult to work with well you can experiment with improving/developing your skills by offering to work with them for the short term and see if you can find ways of getting along/coping with them... if not them you can still get out of the it without risk of "loosing your job" so it can provide great opportunities to practise/improve your skills without any real risk.
Never ever think of volunteering from the point of what you missing out on because the reality is that you will get a lot more out of it than you give.

Answer 2

Benefits Of Volunteering

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What are the benefits of volunteering?
I am thinking of volunteering at a library or hospital, working with kids. Either that or signing up to a big sister program.
Do you volunteer? Do you sometimes resent the time that you give up for no money? Have things ever gone really badly and you regretted signing up?

Answer 4

Stop thinking about it and start doing it. Find something that you think will be able to do, and start from there (find something that your skills, experience and personality are suited to and that might help reduce the chances of a bad outcome). The benefits come when you can see that you are making a difference for others and the community - it is a good feeling. Also, working with others while doing it (yes, it can be fun). For some people, it is just in their nature to be like that and help people,and that is why they do it (not for benefits). A lot of the time it is about work, sometimes hard work, but you stick with it as people are relying on you. Maybe you could look at the value of your time not just in the dollars you could be earning, but also in the strangers, friends and family you can help and you bring happiness to, and the difference you can make in people's lives and in the community, however small or big. Life is too short to waste. Good luck.

Answer 5

Do it ! I volunteer as an English Tutor for a Refugee organisation . The 2 kids I work with are 7 and 13 and are from Sudan . Although it is challenging at times , it is such a great experience to get to know them and their family and to know you are helping . Seeing their writing and reading improve is great , but the best part is watching their self confidence grow . They do cartwheels down their street when they see us - that is our welcome and their parents put the kettle on for tea . I never think about being paid as this experience is worth so much more than money !
I also work (paid)in a hospital and I don't know what we'd do without our volunteers ! We also have "Clown Doctors"in the childrens hospital , these Drs give up their good income to make the kids laugh . I think this is a great example of volunteering ..It is also very good karma !

Answer 6

Really all I have to say is it's loads of fun, and worthwhile. Although i'll tell you what i enjoy doing. I enjoy working with children (particulary orphans), i've been to two third-world countries so far volunteering, both for a week. One over summer, and one over spring break. It's just a lot of fun. Great on a college application as well. Although if you don't have the access or money to go to a different country to volunteer, then anywhere is good, just as long as you feel you're doing something worthwhile. Three reasons why i think volunteering is great:
It's worthwhile, you just get a different feeling out of it.
You get an opportunity to meet tons of new people, that are happy you're helping them out.
IT'S FUN!
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I say do it, don't let anyone stop you.

Answer 7

If you're in high school, you can get community service and also the happiness of helping those in need of help. It feels good to lend a helping hand simply because you're a good enough person to do so. Also, when you see the smiles on the faces of those you are helping, it makes it all worthwhile. I volunteer all the time and I never regretted signing up. Usually you meet other volunteers and have a great time!

Answer 8

I volunteer my time sometimes 5 and1/2 days a week.
I feel I am giving back what I recieved while raising 5 children as a single divorced parent.
The rewards are a better understanding of ones self and others.
Voluteering is good for the soul.

Answer 9

I work as a kitchen hand for Meals on Wheels. And I sometimes go out to deliver some of the meals I help to prepare.
And before u ask, I am not told to go there to entitle me to any social security benefit like so many of the 'volunteers' are. Those people have to do some volunteer work in order to receive their money.
I am a true volunteer.
Working at MOW is really rewarding. Working in the kitchen is a lot like working in a restaurant kitchen (I have worked in a few of those). Yes, I do sometimes regret giving up my time for no money, but knowing that my efforts are helping old people who can't cook for themselves overides any regrets on my part.
It can get a little bitchy and a bit like a cat fight in the kitchen sometimes, but I've learned to take that with a grain of salt, keep my mouth shut and get on with the job. I've also made a few friends.
When I go out on the runs, and talk to the old people, most of them are so grateful and thank us profusely. Oh, u get the grumpy ones but that's ok, I can handle that. Some of them only see us volunteers and the nurses that come to help them and that's really sad. One old feller I visited had just lost his wife. He was in tears and trying to tell us (we always go in pairs, for the safety of us and the clients) all about her. I cried too because I don't know what to say when I see a grown man cry but he sounded sooo lonely. He was the exception though.
The meals are a really good price and most of them can afford to buy them at $6.00. That price includes a bowl of soup, a hot meal or a salad, a desert and a choice of apple or orange juice.
No, I don't for one minute regret signing up. It is so rewarding to see the old peoples faces when we walk in the door.

Answer 10

I found that when I volunteered to work for no money, I was quite happy. It is another way to receive special blessings from the Lord. On a social level, you do have a chance to meet a lot of wonderful people. Sometimes you can meet celebrities at socials when you volunteer your services. It is also a way for other people to get to know you, and who knows it might be the big chance you have been looking for to land a wonderful ,prosperous job with serious income.