Volunteering as a Family

by David Thomas


The importance of children as volunteers include the following:
-Promotes healthy lifestyle and choices - Encourages a lifelong service ethic
-Enhances development - Improves the community
-Teaches life skills - Gives them purpose

Volunteering also nourishes caring values as children relate to and empathize with others, and individuals who care about others. Youth who volunteer are less likely to be involved in negative behaviors. (Studies show that teens who volunteer just 2 hours per week have higher self-esteem and more resiliency and are 50 % less likely to smoke, drink, or do drugs.)

Kids who volunteer at a young age with their family members are
more likely to adopt a service lifestyle as adults.

Studies also show that volunteering can play a role in your health – improving your overall sense of well-being, alleviating chronic pain, and even reducing depression.