Volunteering in the Community - Assignment Example

VOLUNTEERING IN THE COMMUNITY al Affiliation) Volunteering is the act of being human and giving out an individual’s timewithout expecting returns or any compensation. The core intention of volunteering is to help others as well as increase trust in others, in the social and political participation in the society. In addition, volunteers do not work for pay but they do so because they want to. Volunteering in relevant to all spheres of life and has a positive impact in the community. In addition, local people become responsible for their community by gaining knowledge and insights that help solve the local issues. It also provides a network of social relationships and makes people get a connection among themselves and the community at large. It is through these relationships that communities become stronger and self-sustaining (Richards, 2000). There are reasons why people volunteer. Some people volunteer because it is a requirement from their school and for others it is what they feel they need to do to satisfy themselves by helping others when they can. All persons should at least volunteer in their lifetime. Volunteering provides mental and physical rewards as it helps reduce stress. When an individual focus on other people other than themselves, it helps in interrupting the usual tension patterns. In addition, it helps an individual become healthier as their moods and emotions and positive attitudes like happiness and joy in helping others helps strengthen the immune system. Moreover, while doing volunteer services, it helps to save resources. This helps with money spent in the local developments thus enhancing growth in the society. In addition, through volunteering, an individual can gain professional experience therefore enhancing career growth. As a volunteer, it is important to assist people from different backgrounds to work together to achieve a common goal. This also encourages teamwork in the community. Moreover, volunteering also promotes personal growth and self-esteem as it helps foster empathy and self-efficacy. A volunteer helps support families by taking care of people who need special attention in the community as well as support in mentoring the youth in the after school programs. Volunteers are also involved in making the community conducive to live, as they are involved in cleaning the community. Additionally, individuals can learn their own hidden talents that may help change a person’s view and self-worth. For those volunteering in the governments, they also learn about the different functions and operations of the government. They also come across different local resources available that may help solve the needs of the community. Volunteering also provides individuals an opportunity to give back to the society for people they care about as well as serve as a form of investment in the community and the people living in it. In the end, volunteering helps an individual make a difference in the community (Richards, 2000). I participated in volunteering activities in an education office that helped students get offers from colleges, universities, and language centres. The education office main aim is to ensure that students from different backgrounds get a quality education. They did this because they felt it is the right thing to do and give back to the society. The organization believes in enhancing knowledge and power to individuals. This is the reason why they are involved in helping students get what they need to receive an education. Through the education office, students are able to get admissions to different learning institutions. In addition, the office assists in providing loans to students who are not able to raise funds to pay for fees. The provision of loans depends on the level of neediness a student has. Moreover, the organization also provides financial aid to the needy students (Kalman, 2010). The organization has become successful, as they are able to receive support from different sponsors and donors. These donors are willing to provide financing and other resources that help to better the lives of these students. In addition, the organization also provides counseling services to the college students. This is because the organization realized that due to peer pressure, many students engage in social behaviours that are unacceptable in the society for example the use of drugs and immorality. The organization has been to save many students from these bad behaviours. It is the joy of the organization when students transform to become better people in the society. In addition, the organization was able to provide books and other learning materials needed by students to make their learning experience worthwhile. They also provide motivational books that help people transform. The organization also helps students with the knowledge they require to be able to make good choices in regards to careers. Many students usually have difficulties in finding out what they want to do in college or universities. Therefore, through the education office students get to meet with the career advisors who help these students achieve their goals in life. Volunteering contributes both to the volunteer themselves and the society. Through spending time and resources, volunteers are able to deliver products, services, and opportunities to better their community. Volunteering has a strong impact on an individual’s sense of life and well-being (Walker & Walker, 1993). It also improves an individual’s quality of life, both now and the future; In addition, it also helps people identify their potential and sense of purpose. Through volunteering, people get the ability to lead a community-based movement that helps meet the many needs of the people living in a community. For example, the need to develop after school programs or initiatives for cleaning up the environment, thus making people feel connected to the community. In addition, people have a better change to understand their community, thus finding solutions for the challenges that face the community. It also involves encouraging neighbourhood participation where individuals report crimes and participate in the community events. Volunteers play a vital role in the communities as they help in the development of society, their contributions, and support help the community to become a better place to live in. Development of schools, churches, and social amenities help the children and people in the society, as they are able to receive knowledge and become more aware of how to improve and sustain their communities. Volunteering helps in the understanding of the social-economic condition in the community that needs to be addressed. For example, volunteers providing goods and services to the community where the market and the government are not able to provide. By doing this, the volunteers help in filling the gaps thus improving the economy of a community. In addition, volunteering has a great impact to the youth as it provides them with an effective education system. The volunteers take part in the provision of education as well as come up with policies that ensure people have a comfortable and smooth life. Through education, volunteers are able to help students to learn how to read (Allahyari, 2000). Additionally, volunteers contribute to the protection of the environment and energy saving areas. They ensure that people understand the impact of destroying the environment and teach them on environmental sustainability through heightening awareness of recycling thus encouraging the members to become environmental activism. I have actively participated in helping students receive education and knowledge. I also have been able to advise students of the need to act responsibly and accountable for what they do. I encourage students to work hard in school and be involved in extracurricular activities so that they are busy all the time to avoid being trapped in bad behaviours that might ruin their lives. In addition, whenever a student came to me with a problem, I was able to listen to their problems and did my best to help them. I was also able to contribute money to buy food for the needy students. My team and I came up with a plan on how to raise money for people who proved not to support themselves. This created a huge impact for both the needy students and myself since I was able to help. In conclusion, it is important to take part in volunteering activities in the community. Research shows that people who actively participate in volunteer activities are more likely to be involved in civic issues in the community, and people who start volunteering at an early age are more likely to sustain their participation in the later life. Attracting young people to practice volunteering is vital as they get to learn and understand the importance of volunteering. People need to help the needy in the society. It is wise to give without expecting any reward because when an individual gives they receive. People should not feel that they are wasting time and resources when giving to the society. The act of giving helps improve another person’s life. In return, an individual feels happy and healthy, as they tend to reduce the amounts of stresses that they have. All persons can be involved in volunteering activities regardless of age and everybody is expected to participate in any volunteering activity in the community. This is important as it helps in personal as well as community development. References Allahyari, R. (2000). Visions of charity volunteer workers and moral community. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. Kalman, B. (2010). Helpers in my community. New York: Crabtree Pub. Company. Richards, G. 2000.Sustainable community development. London: Routledge. Top of Form Walker, C., & Walker, S. (1993). The role of citizen volunteers. Toronto: Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General and Correctional Services. Bottom of Form Read More