Being a Volunteer means so much more than…
A Volunteer is described as “a person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or handle a task.” Here at One World Center, a volunteer is much more! We like to think of volunteering as a way to share a piece of yourself with those in need to make a difference no matter how big or small. The Spirit of Togetherness is what drives our program. We firmly believe that in everything we do, the end result is better when we do it together.
Why should you volunteer?
Volunteering and health benefits in general adults: Cumulative effects and forms states that the “likelihood ratio estimates found that additional participation in voluntary services in the form of other-oriented volunteering resulted in an 8.54% increase in mental health, 9.08% in physical health, 7.35% in life satisfaction, and 11.11% in social well-being, as well as 4.30% decrease in depression, giving evidence that higher participation in voluntary services pertinent to other-oriented volunteering contributes to better health benefits cumulatively.” To sum that up, volunteering to help others benefits everyone involved. Keeping with our mission of togetherness, this research shows the impact volunteering can have when groups of people come together for the common good.
Who does volunteering help?
Volunteering truly helps those volunteering and those receiving the help and support in more ways than simply lending a hand. Specifically, OWC collaborates with communities near and far, from Michigan to Brazil to Africa. These communities are provided with services in education, agriculture, and sustainable living. Within these overarching services are even smaller services. Volunteering means so much more than providing a single service to a person or community. Through education, patience and compassion are modeled. Encouragement, strategies, and determination are demonstrated and inherently absorbed by everyone around. Practicing agriculture and sustainable living, again, teaches patience and so much more. The opportunity to gain an understanding and connectedness to the world around us and the valuable things it can provide if we only nurture it, is a powerful tool that can be utilized in many facets of life.
Qualities of Hopeful Volunteers
- Commitment to your program and community you are supporting.
- Positive attitudes amongst peers and community.
- Task oriented and accepting of any jobs assigned to you.
- Leadership skills. Be willing to jump in and take the lead.
Yeung, J. W. K., Zhang, Z., & Kim, T. Y. (2017, July 11). Volunteering and health benefits in general adults: Cumulative effects and forms. BMC public health. Volunteering and Health Benefits