7 Benefits of Volunteering

By Sophia Wambach | July 21, 2023

Volunteers uplift the community and themselves!

The benefits of volunteering extend to you, the volunteer. You will get more than you give!

You find time in your busy schedule to tutor children in the community for a reason. Volunteering at a school offers vital support to needy children–just ask the parents of the children we serve! More generally, volunteers uplift the community and support worthwhile causes like educational equity, making a lasting impact.

The benefits extend to you, the volunteer.

Research shows that volunteering offers many benefits, especially for seniors and the recently retired. It is known to improve physical and mental health, provide a sense of purpose, teach valuable skills, and help nurture new and existing relationships. ¹

“Volunteering is known to improve physical and mental health, provide a sense of purpose, teach valuable skills, and help nurture new and existing relationships.” – Angela Thoreson, L.I.C.S.W.

Will you complete HER Circle of Care?

Through one-on-one reading and math tutoring, and family support, you will nurture an eager child in a circle of care so they may succeed in school.

Yes, I want to uplift a child in school today!

Knowing you can make a positive impact in a child’s life and instill confidence in their abilities is gratifying and a great benefit of volunteer tutoring.

7 Benefits of Volunteer Tutoring

There are many personal benefits of volunteering. This list is by no means exhaustive, but we’ve found seven benefits of volunteering we think you will agree with.

1. You get more than you give. While it doesn’t seem like much, you’re helping a child who may not have someone to read with them at home. You experience and feel the joy in your student’s positive responses and growth.
2. Share your knowledge. We are incredibly proud of the diverse range of volunteers who bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the children they support. They may be tutoring in reading or math, but their wisdom extends beyond letters and numbers, and it feels good to share that with a child.
3. One-on-one attention feels good. Every child loves attention. Reading with a child over time and seeing them progress and become a better reader creates a personal connection that feeds the soul. The attention can bolster the student’s sense of self-worth and self-confidence, and that good feeling extends to you. By experiencing the success and excitement of the child you’re tutoring—even in a virtual world—you feel their energy and their joy spreads.
   

   “Volunteering promotes inclusion for all residents of the community … the door is open to any resident in the Bay Area to affect change and work toward lasting racial equity.”

4. Volunteering promotes inclusion for all residents of the community. By recruiting, training, and supporting caring
   

   Tutoring in a community of family, friends, and new friends fosters feelings of connection and well-being, one of the benefits of volunteering.

   community members to become reading and math tutors, the door is open to any resident in the Bay Area to affect change and work toward lasting racial equity. For seniors and the recently retired, this is especially beneficial as meaningful engagement in the community is known to promote healthy aging. ²

5. Tutoring provides opportunities for personal growth. By becoming a tutor, many people develop an altogether new vocation and an increase in “sense of self.” ³ Research shows that self-growth and well-being most frequently go hand in hand.
6. Observing a measurable difference in a child is gratifying. It allows you to interact with the kids, be there for the “Aha!’ moments, and see firsthand how you are helping them and their families succeed in school … and in life.
7. You can do it in a community with family or friends, which fosters feelings of connection and well-being. If you know someone who could be a fantastic tutor, invite them to join you. We will work with your schedules. We ask for two hours a week, but you can do more! Most importantly, you are giving a little time for the greater good.

Ready to get started? Tutoring resumes in the Fall. Invite a friend and feel the joy of volunteering all over again!

Yes, I can empower a child to become a lifelong learner.

 I want to learn more about online reading or math clinics to see if in-school tutoring is right for me!

I want to help fund Children Rising tutoring and mentoring programs to empower more children this year!

_{1. Thoreson, A. (2021) Mayo Clinic Health System, Helping people, changing lives: 3 health benefits of volunteering. https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/3-health-benefits-of-volunteering}

_{2. Greenfield, E A, & Marks, N F. (2007). Continuous participation in voluntary groups as a protective factor for the psychological well-being of adults who develop functional limitations: Evidence from the national survey of families and households. The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences,62(1), S60–S68. doi:10.1093/geronb/62.1.s60}

_{3. Self-growth, wellbeing and volunteering – Implications for social prescribing: A qualitative study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667321522000233?via%3Dihub}