Why I Volunteer At My School

One of my first volunteering positions growing up was at a local elementary school assisting children in core math and reading subjects. Not only did I help the students but I also helped the teacher with grading and developing new assignments. This experience gave me great insight into how one can effectively explain education materials to young children.

Ohemaa Asantewaa Ofori-Addae PSY 230 Volunteering gives me the opportunity to be there for someone and to change people’s lives including my own. Volunteering to me is a way of giving back to the community or someone in need of help. For as long as I can remember I have always had the passion for helping people especially children and the aged, thus my interest in nursing. Any opportunity to perform an act of kindness made me happy that at least I could be of help to someone. From taking care of my siblings and cousins, babysitting, helping friends and among others. Of the many goals I have in life the most important one is to provide help to those in need through my commitment of service. I volunteered at a daycare school closer to me and

These kids have become an important fixture in my life, and that is one of the best things that have come out of this experience. I also enjoy the bout of pride that I get out of working in these positions of moderate power because it gives me a confidence in my work that I didn’t even have in my paying job. Another final thing that I like about this experience is the support system it has opened me up to. The kids and the adults that I work with have allowed me to open up to them about matters that I haven’t even spoken up about to my closest friends. This experience has opened me up to a safe space, and that is enough to keep me in the system for this volunteer

Every summer between 7th grade and my freshman year of college, I would volunteer at a local summer program. This consisted of helping the teachers come up with lesson plans, activities, and games to play. During my last two years, I gained more responsibilities as the “Head Leader in Training” and managed the other volunteers, while designating tasks and responsibilities. I continued working with and coming up with activities during undergrad through the organization Project Literacy. After going over the lessons with the students, we would have a group activity or play a variety of sports with them. Working with children

The first event I ever volunteered with through the Youth Council was The St. Jude’s Ranch Prom. It was a very worthwhile volunteer experience. Every child had a different story, a different background, and a different circumstance. For one night they were able to focus on something else; it was something they had been looking forward to. Most everyone wants to have that ‘Prom’ experience. It’s something people don’t easily forget. We knew that some of the children there would be unable to participate in such an event because of their situation. Fortunately the Youth Council was able to bring the Prom to them. I was able to meet many of the kids participating and it was a very rewarding encounter. They were elated that someone was doing so much to make them happy. It was evident how much work had been put into organizing the event. Every child from St.Jude’s Ranch was able to pick out a gown and suit to wear. The children were ecstatic. I helped them to set up all the clothes that was donated simply for that event and volunteered the day of the

To explain briefly, spending the entire summer around the kids, staff, nurses, doctors, and hospital administration, I could see everyone there loved their jobs, appreciated their coworkers, and most importantly, valued the patients and their families. Volunteering this past summer was a life-changing experience that only motivated me to find more opportunities to grow and experience the medical

When volunteering at West Minnehaha it made me realize things that I didn’t pay attention to before going in. Last time when volunteering at Dayton’s Bluff I didn’t put myself out there to learn but since then I have another opportunity to do so and I have learned a lot.

I volunteered at Edison After School Program and I learned many things about my community around me. I volunteered Therefore about three years and people around me started to notice. They felt happy when they volunteered and the kids felt like they belong. These days more people wanted to volunteer

I learned to never go somewhere if you’re not informed on what will be going on or the type of environment I’ll be in. Never put myself in a situation where I’m stranded. Always drive my own car, that way I can leave when I am ready to go. This experience was not so great but there have been many other opportunities of service I’ve done that has impacted my view on the community. I actually enjoy doing volunteer work and helping out in my community. When I volunteered with Feed the Children, it opened my eye to how many families are struggling and are in need. While putting boxes together it made me wonder what family would receive it and what’s their life story. Volunteering has had a positive impact on me. I’ve gained confidence within myself, happiness, a sense of purpose, experience and communication skills. It’s a great way to connect with others. Knowing that I am helping someone in my community and also having a positive impact on their lives warms my heart. Doing service for others has helped me become more grateful and appreciative for the things I have. It showed me the lifestyle of living pay check to pay check and struggling and that’s what motivates me to figure out this college thing, so I can become successful and continue to help my community.

To understand the importance of volunteering, I volunteered at one cultural event in San Antonio downtown. It was the festival of Diwali, a festival of light celebrate in India every year, organized by the San Antonio municipal and Indian Association. In San Antonio’s downtown we have a Riverwalk and the booth was on one side of river with the bleacher and on the other side was the stadium. Folk dances of India were performed on the stage. I volunteered at a booth of drink. My job was to sell soft drinks like coke for a dollar. I made a working there on the booth and we both had almost same interests due to that I was very surprised. There was also another booth next to us. I helped them to load, carry and organize their booth with food. This

There was no program that organized and created activities like the Volunteer Center does here. I await my next opportunity to take a trip with the Service Ambassadors, where I can make a big difference in only one day. My time spent at the Foster Care Fleece Blanket Project also felt like a meaningful contribution to the community, as the whole campus became more aware of homelessness. Previously, I had not put a lot of thought into foster children and their lives, but now I realize how emotionally stressful it must be to be moved from home to

Why as high school students should we be required to volunteer in our community to receive a high school diploma? No, we as high school students should not be required to participate in a volunteer program in our community because there’s no transportation, no places to volunteer and no time to commit.

For my service learning aspect of this course, I volunteered at Lawrence Catholic Academy. There I worked one-on-one with a fourth grade boy who was struggling in all of his subjects. His grades were not very high and he needed a lot of extra help. One reason as to why he wasn’t doing well in school was because he rarely ever did his homework and therefore he always fell behind in class. Another thing that I had found out just a couple of weeks ago is that he was very sick last year and he had to miss half a year of school. Since he wasn’t in school for half of the year, he didn’t learn the material that he needs to know and therefore he is even further behind compared to the rest of his peers. I would always try my best to help him understand

Being a volunteer has shaped me to become a better person and has given me a greater sense of appreciation. Those my age often take simple things for granted, such as a roof over their head. Seeing those in need, whether it be finances, medical attention, or even something small, has made me realize the value in what I am lucky to have already.

In the field of psychology, the functional approach to understanding altruism is the predominant one. Central to this approach is that people engage in various activities for purposeful, goal-oriented reasons (Fletcher and Major 2004:110). Related to the functional approach is the Volunteer Functions Inventory, created by Clary et al. (1998), which is based on the functional approach to understanding altruism. A functional perspective towards motivations to volunteer is chiefly concerned with the “why” of volunteerism (Whitt 2006:10). Understanding these reasons for volunteering, is important and could give us concrete answers as to why people would participate in long-term volunteering. The issue of sufficient support networks for people in need is very important. It has a very crucial role to play in the well-being of people. We all need support when we are going through difficult times and knowing that there is someone there for you, someone who cares, can make all the difference in the world.