Chapter 1 You: Growing and Changing
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Volunteering Volunteering
You can return something to your community, your country, and your world
by volunteering. Volunteering is choosing freely to provide a service for others
without pay.
Globally, volunteerism is a growing movement. Across the world, people
are in need. Governments are not able to help all who suffer. Volunteer
organizations step in when needed to ease suffering wherever possible. All of
these organizations rely on volunteer help, either to provide the aid directly or
to raise funds to support the work of the organization.
Once you start volunteering, you will discover that giving to others brings
much personal satisfaction. Even though your time may be limited, every
minute can count. With volunteer work, you can decide how much time you
have to give.
By volunteering, you not only help others, but you also help yourself. You
can develop a wide range of skills as you work to benefi t others. Volunteering
gives you the opportunity to
• learn to be responsible
• identify community needs
• put your special talents to use
• test your skills and learn new ones
• make new friends
• explore a related career or fi eld of work
• work with people in different age groups
• make important contacts in your community
• be recognized for a job well done
There are various ways you can volunteer. You can work through an
established organization that uses volunteer help, such as Habitat for
Humanity or the American Red Cross. Every community has programs that
need volunteers. These may include museums, zoos, animal shelters, libraries,
park districts, and nursing homes.
Another way to get involved as a volunteer is to work through
organizations to which you already belong. Your group may even wish to
launch its own volunteer program to fi ll a need it sees in your community.
Can you think of other ways you can volunteer to help make your
community, country, and world a better place to live?
Did You Know?