National Volunteer Week (April 10-16, 2016) is about inspiring, recognizing, and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities. Volunteering as a family creates a unique bonding experience and teaches kids the importance of lending a helping hand to those less fortunate.
There are many benefits that come as the result of community service:
1. Helping Others
It doesn't require a lot of time, effort, or money to make a difference. Help make birthday wishes come true for a child in need by donating to the Birthday Party Room at Douglas/Elbert Task Force or Fresh Harvest Food Bank. Help hungry families by letting your child choose a few items on your next trip to the grocery store. Make blessing bags to pass out to the homeless.
As Martin Luther Kind Jr. said, "Everybody can be great because everybody can serve." Studies have shown that people who volunteer during childhood are more likely to continue this sense of work ethic into adulthood.
2. Learn Life Skills
Kids can learn many life skills when they participate in helping others such as organizing events, time management skills, cooperating with others, and working toward a common goal. These skills can help them become more independent as they grow older. It can also give kids a sense of what it takes to fulfill daily responsibilities. For example, when parents take kids to a shelter to serve dinners, this can help them learn how to set up table settings, how to serve food, and clean up afterwards.
3. Make New Friends
When kids volunteer in their local communities, it can be an excellent time to meet new people and make long lasting friendships. It can provide an avenue to meet kids from other schools and make connections. These volunteering opportunities can help them to build their social, interpersonal, and communication skills. Kids will be able to work with many different diverse populations that may give them an understanding of various ethnic backgrounds. It also may provide opportunities to do activities outside of volunteering such as going to the mall, the movies, and hanging out with new friends.
4. Resume Builder
When kids give back, they help build their resumes for future part-time and full-time jobs, as well as college applications. Employers and colleges alike want to see students who are well rounded and have gained skills such as computer, communication, and organizational skills. Community service can build a fantastic resume by offering the experience they need to be very productive adults.
5. Provides Job Opportunities
Getting involved in the community can even lead into a job. It could give kids and teens the opportunity to do an internship with an agency that will provide insight into various careers. They can learn the daily responsibilities that come along with employment and how to work with others. As kids become involved in volunteering, it could give them the advantage of finding jobs before they are even published to the public.
Barron Whited is a College Admission Specialist, Bullying Prevention Specialist, and School Counselor Leadership Specialist. He has a Masters Degree in Education and is K-12 School Counselor Certified.
