"Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in." — Unknown.
How appropriate. Dr Martin Luther King believed the magnitude of greatness among individuals who collaborated around a cause drive real change. According to the recent Deloitte Volunteerism Impact Survey, 89% of employees believe that a company has a better working environment if they provide volunteer activities and opportunities.
Studies show:
After two years of service in the Senior Corps, 84 per cent of older adults reported improved or stable health.
32 per cent of Senior Corps volunteers who reported good health at the beginning of the study reported improved health at the two-year follow-up.
Of those who reported five or more symptoms of depression at the beginning of the study, 78 per cent said they felt less depressed two years later.
88 per cent of Senior Corps volunteers who first described a lack of companionship reported decreased feelings of isolation after two years.
Volunteer-driven programs at senior centers, including youth-led movements with local public and private high schools, heighten success and engagement. Such collective efforts lead communities to new experiences, social connections, generational career opportunities, and an unspoken respect for one another leading to the greater well-being of all involved.
Challenge yourself to drive the change. Develop programs, spaces and places that encourage your community to engage with others regardless of age, occupation, or talent.
Sources:
Bradley Wong, & Wong, B. (2021, July 29). On Civic Infrastructure, nonprofit collaboration, and volunteers. Retrieved February 23, 2022, from https://independentsector.org/news-post/on-civic-infrastructure-nonprofit-collaboration-and-volunteers/
Plato, L. (n.d.). How collaborative innovation can spark a volunteer movement. Retrieved February 23, 2022, from https://blogs.volunteermatch.org/engagingvolunteers/2020/01/21/how-collaborative-innovation-can-spark-a-volunteer-movement
Turnbull, A. (2021, August 31). Why volunteer? Discover 12 surprising benefits of volunteering. Retrieved February 23, 2022, from https://www.rosterfy.com/blog/why-volunteer-discover-12-surprising-benefits-of-volunteering
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