Today is Volunteer Recognition Day. Previously we discussed some ways of celebrating this holiday. Given the current condition of the economy, let’s talk about volunteering for the unemployed or underemployed.
Benefits of Volunteering
It might seem kind of crazy to work for free when you don’t have a job — or not enough of a job — to support yourself. However, there are plenty of good reasons to consider it.
- Volunteering keeps you busy. It’s better than sitting alone at home, doing nothing and getting bored.
- Volunteering gives you something productive to do. This combats the sense of uselessness that some unemployed people feel. The appreciation feels good too.
- Volunteer gigs keep your resume current and active. That way, you don’t have a gap in the timeline. As long as you specify the position as volunteer, it’s legitimate to list it. This is because …
- You can learn new skills while volunteering that may become relevant when you return to full-time paying work. This is especially true if you make a point of seeking volunteer opportunities in your field or in particular areas where you wish to expand your experience. It’s also a good way to pick up skills or hobbies you always meant to try but didn’t have time for earlier.
- Volunteering may qualify you for programs that dispense food, subsidies for utility bills, or other benefits. That’s not charity; it’s barter, and you can use it to help support your household while you continue your job hunt.
- Most volunteer projects involve meeting people, which can improve your chances of finding a new job. Someone might be hiring, or might know who is hiring, in your field.
Community Building
As the unemployment rate continues to rise, this puts a serious strain on communities. Unemployed people often feel cut off from society; underemployed people struggle just to keep their noses above water. So many jobs have been lost that people are seeking aid who never needed it before, and organizations that supply aid are running short. The federal and state governments don’t always do enough to address this. However, that isn’t the end of the line — this is a problem that can be addressed at the community level.
Any organization can set up a volunteer staff to do needful things related to that particular organization’s area of expertise. This saves money in a time of scarcity, but it also means that when more money becomes available, experienced people will be right there. Many companies hire permanent employees out of a volunteer pool.
Volunteer work helps people feel connected with a community. They are less likely to drift away or get into trouble. By helping each other, they not only get things done but also lift their own spirits. These people are likely to remain active in community after they find full-time work again.
Sometimes people hesitate to avail themselves of aid because they don’t want to take charity. If this is an issue in your community, try offering options for volunteer work of different styles — indoors and outdoors, cooperative and solitary, physical and mental. When people can contribute something useful, they don’t feel like they’re mooching, and this can boost participation in aid programs.
So if you feel that the government isn’t doing enough to help people during this economic crisis, take matters into your own hands. Find out what volunteer opportunities your community offers, both to take care of unemployed and underemployed people, and to occupy them. Then look for places where you can start or expand a volunteer program to fill in the gaps.
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