Benefits of Volunteering for Youth
Volunteering is a great way for youth to gain the experience they need to build a resume and secure their first job. At YEP, we can connect youth to a volunteer program as a way to develop their skills and gain experience. We even give them a monthly stipend for their participation! Volunteering benefits society while simultaneously building an abundance of valuable experience and life satisfaction. Get a sense of why volunteering is a crucial part of our programming by considering the following benefits:
Changing Lives
The main point of volunteering is to lend a helping hand to others' lives. Whether youth are collecting supplies for a food bank or placing books at a public library, they are making a valuable contribution to society. Putting a smile on another's face may be the sole reason for a youth to want to volunteer, but what’s really in it for them? Read on!
It is a great experience
For youth, volunteering is a skill bank. If you haven’t had a job before or are just looking to develop a skill set that you are lacking, finding the appropriate volunteer position can be a big developmental experience.
You can gain job-specific experience for your resume. For example, you gain food handling experience from volunteering at a soup kitchen or customer service from selling tickets at a raffle.
Volunteering builds transferable skills needed to be qualified for the workforce, even if youth are not actively trying to attain those skills. For example, they can learn responsibility by helping feed pets at an animal shelter or independently stocking books at a library.
Lastly, they will learn interpersonal skills by working with other people. Working together as a team, actively communicating, and engaging in positive conversation is a great way to prepare them for a paid job that requires them to establish strong communicative relationships with their future bosses, coworkers, and customers.
Makes Meaningful Connections
Volunteering increases socialization, decreases loneliness, and opens you up to the awareness of how other people live. It can help youth see the world from a broader perspective which will allow them to connect with people who they wouldn’t otherwise connect with. Being in a helping and loving state of mind naturally opens up our hearts to connection. When you help others, your positive energy can rub off on everyone around you, helping to build strong, lasting bonds.
Gives a Sense of Purpose
Volunteering can give youth a sense of fulfillment. The willingness to do whatever is needed of you, no matter how humbling the tasks, gives you a sense of compassion for others and lends a perspective that may inspire them. It can expand their minds and give them new insights on what they might want to do in life.
Ignites Passion
Volunteering is a great way for youth to explore different interests and get the ball rolling towards finding their passion in life. Exploring opportunities such as helping clean up parks or walk dogs for an animal shelter can really strike realizations in a youths life. Also, working alongside other passionate people will almost always inspire someone to find what they're passionate about. Feeling passionate and inspired is a great way to adopt a growth mindset, improving youths mental health.
Boosts Self-Esteem
Participating in hands-on initiatives can help youth learn new skills and allow them to contribute their knowledge to a task. Immersing themselves in an activity that requires their time and talents can provide a sense of accomplishment and boost self-esteem.
These practical perks of volunteering double as an employability treasure box. What’s better!?
Written By: Clare Tyner, Co-op Student