Volunteer
Volunteer as a Family
Today, families are finding new ways to spend time together-and volunteering is one way to do just that.
Research has shown that volunteering as a family:
- Helps families learn about social issues and provides a new perspective on the world
- Provides positive role models and passes on family values to children
- Provides new learning experiences and development of new skills for both children and adults
- Provides quality time for the family to spend together
- Increases interpersonal communication and the problem-solving abilities of family members
- Helps youth decide what they want to do with their life
Why Children Should Volunteer
Kids have fun when they volunteer, but volunteering also:
- Enhances development — Volunteering can benefit a child's psychological, social and intellectual development. Volunteering increases self-esteem, responsibility and an interest in learning and helps children develop new social skills. It also provides opportunities to apply newly learned material.
- Promotes a healthy lifestyle and choices — Children who volunteer are less likely to become involved in at-risk behaviors.
- Teaches social responsibility — Volunteering helps children develop empathy and learn that one person can make a difference.
- Creates a lifelong ethic of service — Individuals who volunteer as a child or who observed their parents volunteering have a much higher probability of being a volunteer in their adult years.
- Improves the community — Volunteer activities are essential for advancing the common good, and children can be part of the change.
