Benefits of Volunteering:

 

​Our world faces many pressing problems - food insecurity, wars and conflicts, prejudice and inequality, infectious diseases, water shortages, extreme poverty. And in the era of COVID-19, the number of people who need a helping hand has only increased.

 

​Obviously, volunteering is important. But the benefits go far beyond altruism. A growing body of research shows that it offers many benefits, some of which are surprising. Here are 11 (Credit to Kiwanis):

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1. The power to change lives.

   • ​Whether you collect supplies for a food bank to feed malnourished children, build a house for a family, or house or adopt an abandoned or abused animal, you are making a tangible change in a person's life ( or an animal). Better yet, you give them hope. Our university can, with you, give them even more hope by teaching them to fish.

     • There is an old saying, generally attributed to Confucius, that goes something like, "Give a man a fish, and you will feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you have fed him a lifetime." " There is an important life lesson in this simple statement.

2. The ability to involve more people.

   • When you volunteer, you raise awareness about an organization and its cause. And you often talk about your service to friends and family - maybe even without realizing it. You might even post something about it on your social media platforms, which gets the word out. It can encourage more people to get involved.

3. A physical feeling of satisfaction.

   • There is scientific evidence that volunteering positively affects your body. Studies show that when people donate to charity, either financially or through volunteering, they trigger the mesolimbic system - the part of the brain responsible for feelings of reward. The brain releases feel-good chemicals, prompting you to perform kinder acts. Psychologists call this "the “helper’s high.”

4. New friends and stronger friendships.

   • When you help others, you give off positive vibes, which can rub off on your peers and improve your friendships, creating strong and lasting bonds. For example, if you are volunteering to supervise children, there is a good chance that you will meet people who care about young children. Volunteering is a great way to find your "tribe".

5. Connection and confidence.

   • Silence the inner voice that says you are not good enough! People who volunteer have higher self-esteem and higher overall well-being. Experts explain that the more connected you feel, the higher your self-esteem.

6. Social and networking skills.

   • Volunteering is a social activity - so it can build your important contact list. For example, the people you volunteer with are great candidates for letters of recommendation. After all, these are the people who have seen you interact with others and take on new challenges.

7. A readiness to take on the world.

   • People who participate in volunteer work feel rewarded, more fulfilled. Volunteers report that helping others enriches their sense of purpose and empowers them.

8. Value to schools and employers.

   • The volunteer experience can set you apart from other applicants for jobs and colleges. Your volunteering experience tells them that you are ambitious, that you care about your community, and that you are ready to do the work that brings about change.

9. A chance to pay it forward.

   • Kindness is contagious. Just seeing someone helping another makes us feel good. And that prompts us to do something altruistic ourselves.

10. A sense that you have more time.

    • Volunteering literally won't give you more than 24 hours a day. But that makes those hours more fulfilling. In fact, research shows that those who volunteer their time feel like they have more time.

11. Feelings of gratitude.

    • Helping others is a wonderful way to take a step back from your own situation, and it can make you appreciate what you have more.

 

 

Are you ready to benefit from volunteering? Juneteenth Intercontinental University is a great place to find those opportunities. Members provide service for the betterment of society, which helps others and teaches valuable leadership skills.  Read more here and get involved.