When you volunteer,you give part of yourself–your time,energy,skills and feelings.You give to your family and friends,to your neighbours,to your community.Sometimes,you are giving to people you don’t know,to people thousands of kilometers away.
Giving is one of the reasons why people volunteer.Their contributions to others and to their communities bring them feelings of self-fulfillment and the knowledge that they have made a difference.
Volunteering is also a way of saying thank you.It’s a way of recognizing the countless others who,in big ways and small,have made life richer and better through donations of time and effort.But there is more to volunteering than giving.
As a volunteer,you also reap personal benefits and enhance your personal growth.You can increase social awareness,learn through service,enjoy better health,gain self-confidence,discover your strengths and talents ,build a sense of independence ,and expand your social circle.Volunteering gets you ready for the workforce.By volunteering you an develop skills,gain work experience,explore career options,and develop a job-finding network.
With a strong résumé and new skills,you’ll find it easier to strut your stuff to prospective employers,fill out university or college application forms,talk to scholarship or bursary officers,or take on more challenging volunteer positions in the community.
That’s the thing about volunteering.You get as much out of it as you put into it!And often,you get a whole lot more.
So,roll up your sleeves and get involved.Start by reading this booklet.It will answer some of your questions and give you other ideas to think about.It will also show you ways of getting the most out of volunteering.
As a youth,you will find volunteering a great experience.But it doesn’t stop now.By catching the volunteer bug,you will be giving yourself a lifetime of rewarding experiences.