Volunteerism
Rates
Many of the nation’s volunteers are young people. Most youth volunteers do so out of altruism and an interest in making in a difference in the lives of others. Only a small proportion of students reportedly volunteer because of a school requirement.1
Benefits for Youth
- Youth who volunteer are more likely to feel connected to their communities and, do better in school, and are less likely to engage in risky behavior.2
- Youth are not only more likely to volunteer if their entire family is involved in the effort, but the shared experience can result in strengthened familial bonds.3
- Students who performed voluntary community service were 19 percent more likely to graduate from college than those who did not.4
- Volunteering was associated with a 27 percent higher odds of employment.5
Best Practices
Best Practices for Recruitment
Sometimes the best way to get youth to volunteer is simple: ask. According to one study, young people who are asked to volunteer or vote are much more likely to do so.6 AmeriCorps (formerly the Corporation for National and Community Service) found that “youth volunteers who have a positive experience are likely to volunteer again and tell their friends about it. Those friends, in turn, will be more inclined to volunteer.”7
Including family members
According to a 2005 survey, when compared to a youth with no family members who volunteer, a youth from a family where at least one parent volunteers is almost twice as likely to volunteer, and nearly three times more likely to volunteer on a regular basis.8
Many family members have not been invited to volunteer, and may not understand the potential benefits to all members of the family. Extending a personal invitation and underscoring what volunteers have to gain—job skills, community connections, academic credit—can make a difference.9 Even if family members are unable to volunteer or choose not to, organizations can foster a sense of partnership and help the families to feel comfortable with the program their child is participating in by providing informational materials, inviting them to an orientation session, hosting family events, providing wrap around services, and recognizing families at special events.10
References
1 AmeriCorps, 2005
2 AmeriCorps. Presidential Council on Service and Civic Participation, 2010b
3 Dávila & Mora, 2007
4 AmeriCorps, 2013
5 AmeriCorps, 2013
6 Lopez, Levine, Both, Kiesa, Kirby, & Marcelo, 2006
7 AmeriCorps. Presidential Council on Service and Civic Participation, 2010c
8 AmeriCorps, 2005
9 AmeriCorps. Presidential Council on Service and Civic Participation, 2010c
10 AmeriCorps. Presidential Council on Service and Civic Participation, 2010b