Community service is key to personal development. It offers numerous ways to obtain new skills and leave an impact in places you didn’t know needed it.
According to the United States Census, on average, 28.3% of American citizens ages 16 and older do community service each year. This is about 75.7 million people nationwide. That number is not only people helping others, but helping themselves.
The following subheadlines are a breakdown of certain information that is based on research conducted by Junior Achievement USA.
Skills Developed
While community service’s main goal is helping others, it is also about helping yourself. Performing certain tasks helps you learn new habits, which will lead to developing a new skill. Senior Caroline Corso said, “It also gives you many needed skills that will help you in other situations in and out of school.”
Leadership: Having to work with others to get things done helps build this quality. You are in charge of new tasks, and you have to find that drive to help you, and or your team to accomplish your goal(s).
“Being able to go to certain events and take charge, whether that is just to talk to people, or ask if they need help, has helped me gain the confidence that a leader should have.” – Junior, Jada LeBlanc, Oakmont Youth Basketball Spartan 1 Camp
Time Management: Being able to do your volunteer commitments and balance your personal responsibilities teaches you how to maintain each component of your life.
“It has helped me plan ahead, and helped me focus on what is important.” – Senior, Kaeli Rasmussen, Relay For Life
Adaptability: Whether you run into a setback or do something new that you’re not familiar with, you will learn to adjust to be able to finish your task as efficiently as possible.
“Sometimes you sign up for a specific thing at the event and then get moved to another, but no matter where you are, you are there to help and get the work done well.” – Junior, Riley Souers, Westminster Cracker Festival
Mental Change
On top of many Americans reporting feeling the mental benefits of community service, in the UK, studies show that 77% of volunteers feel the same way. This goes to show that no matter where or what you are volunteering, you will feel a mental change.
Increased Happiness: The act of helping others releases dopamine (a feel-good hormone), which results in positive emotion.
“I’ve been doing a lot of community service the past couple of months, and I’ve realized that giving people a reason to smile makes my day each time,” – Sophomore, Mia Suarez, Fitness Concepts, Gardner, MA
Forming New Relationships: When doing community service, you are putting yourself into a new environment with new people. This helps you to form new connections.
“Community service has given me a better connection within my community, and has made me more understanding of all of the different roles and jobs that people have.” – Junior, Adam Benhar, Ashburnham Yard Sale
35% of volunteers do the work to socialize with people in their community.
Stress Relief: Taking your focus off all the daily activities and going to do community service can help lift a weight off your shoulders and turn your attention to something different. Helping you refocus.
“Volunteering really helps bring emotions and people to the present. Personally, I always feel very good and calm after finishing a day of volunteering.” – Sophomore, Ada Ferguson, Westminster PTO Babysitting
Impacting Your Future
Setting yourself up to have a positive future is very important. A major part of that future is employment. Studies have shown that those who volunteer have a 27% better chance of getting employed. Volunteering is like playing pretend with having a job, which is a great way to explore the world of having to take on such responsibility.
Gaining Experience: Sometimes people don’t have time to have a full-time job, so taking time to work during community service helps develop knowledge and skills that pertain to that field.
“I have done different types of community service, and it has helped me understand the importance of different roles and jobs.” – Sophomore, Nora Brown, Westminster PTO Babysitting
Work Opportunities (Pertaining to Teenagers): Being exposed to important people who are a part of the career path they would like to follow could give them connections.
“Doing community service in my community has helped me establish a name for myself, and I have made more connections with people.” – Senior, Sam Dunn, Church Babysitting
Showing Initiative: Showing potential employers that you are driven about possible career opportunities can help you stand out.
“After doing community service for four years, I feel more inclined to do service just for the fun of it. Like I have taken the next step.” – Senior, Jackson Traylor, Wachusett Mountain
Final Takeaway
If you are looking for something to do in your free time that will help you in different aspects of your life, then volunteering is the perfect choice. Here, in the Ash/West community – and even here at Oakmont – there are many opportunities to get involved and help others. Be a part of the wave that leaves positive impacts on society and you.
