Posted on Jun 26, 2022.

Thinking of becoming a volunteer? See a list of reasons that will help you make up your mind.

10: It's good for you.

Volunteering provides physical and mental rewards. It:

• Reduces stress: Experts report that when you focus on someone other than yourself, it interrupts usual tension-producing patterns.
• Makes you healthier: Moods and emotions, like optimism, joy, and control over one's fate, strengthen the immune system.

9: It saves resources.

Volunteering provides valuable community services so more money can be spent on local improvements.

The estimated value of a volunteer's time in California is $26.87 per hour based on the Corporation for National & Community Service.

8: Volunteers gain professional experience.

You can test out a career.

7: It brings people together.

As a volunteer you assist in:

• Uniting people from diverse backgrounds to work toward a common goal
• Building camaraderie and teamwork

6: It promotes personal growth and self esteem.

Understanding community needs helps foster empathy and self-efficacy.

5: Volunteering strengthens your community.

As a volunteer you help:

• Support families (daycare and eldercare)
• Improve schools (tutoring, literacy)
• Support youth (mentoring and after-school programs)
• Beautify the community (beach and park cleanups)

4: You learn a lot.

Volunteers learn things like these:

• Self: Volunteers discover hidden talents that may change your view on your self worth.
• Government: Through working with local non-profit agencies, volunteers learn about the functions and operation of our government.
• Community: Volunteers gain knowledge of local resources available to solve community needs.

3: You get a chance to give back.

People like to support community resources that they use themselves or that benefit people they care about.

2: Volunteering encourages civic responsibility.

Community service and volunteerism are an investment in our community and the people who live in it.

1: You make a difference.

Every person counts!

Original article: https://getinvolved.ucsd.edu/service/resources/reasons.html