Why Volunteer?
People volunteer for a wide range of reasons, especially when reaching out to help others. Instead of thinking of volunteering as a way to help others who are not as educated or as fortunate as yourself, begin to think of it as an even exchange. Consider that most people find themselves in need at some point in their lives. So today you may be the person with the ability to help, but tomorrow you may be the recipient of someone else's volunteer effort.
Think of the gratification and achievement in helping another person or the opportunities to make new friends and become involved with people from different walks of life. Or the smile of a child's face from watching you use your skills and knowledge in tutoring them or a friend. Think about how much you receive when you give and consider why you want or should volunteer. Whatever the reasons and you may have many, here are just a few of the many possible motivations identified by other student volunteers:
- To share a skill or lend a hand
- To get to know our community
- To demonstrate commitment to a cause or belief
- To feel needed
- To help someone
- For fun!
- To assure progress
- To standup and be counted
You probably have identified some special reasons of your own. Remember that the motivations you have selected and the place you decide to go or the people you decide to help may not be the reasons why you stay. Once you are on the volunteer's job, you will continue to serve as long as you feel that your efforts are accomplishing something, whether its a one time service or continual service. It is important to remember that your talents and works are appreciated by adults, children and seniors from various cultures, and that you make a difference.
As long as you are truly serving and giving back to the community through your volunteer work, isn't it wonderful that such an even exchange occurs?
What are the current volunteer projects?
- Assist with small group of students
- Monitor projects
- Chaperon field trips
- Demonstrate crafts
- One-on-one tutoring
- Teach your native language
- Prepare learning materials
- Share your cultural richness
- Assist at athletic events
- Organize parties & activities
- Tell about your carrier
- Assist with computers
- Beautification projects
- Painting of senior citizen homes
- Designing cards for seniors
Qualifications
- Desire to help people
- Reliability
- A few hours to share
- Patience
- Willingness to serve as part of team
- Positive outlook on children and learning
Benefits
- Learn new skills
- Meet other people
- Accomplish a goal
- Feel satisfied at helping
- Add to your resume
For more information give Sheila Green of the Community Development Office a call at (312)567-3115.
THE INFORMATION IS FREE, THE RESULT IS WORTH MILLIONS
For filling out Volunteer/Work-Study Application form online click here.
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This site is developed and maintained by Kalpesh Trivedi
Last Updated on October 10th, 1999