Local volunteers don’t just build their resumes, they build wealth and well-being for everyone
In the age of the side hustle, making every minute of your day into a dollar may seem like the way to get ahead. You might think that volunteering is a waste of your time, but what if I told you that this seeming waste of your precious resources can actually improve your mental health, open up new career opportunities, increase your sense of purpose and belonging, as well as build quality of life for you and your neighbours, all while increasing property values and overall prosperity in your area? Yep, that’s right, local volunteers don’t just build their resumes, they build wealth and well-being for everyone. Here’s how it works.
1 | Individual benefits
Research shows that volunteers who invest 100 hours (less than 8 hours per month) in the community per year have a reduced risk of physical function limitations, enjoy better psycho-social outcomes like optimism and sense of purpose, lower rates of depression, and a 44% reduced risk of mortality. Yep, that’s right. Our brains are wired by millions of years of evolution to reward us for socializing and cooperating, so we thrive when working together.
In addition to the mental health benefits, there’s a variety of skills to be learned and connections to be made through your local volunteer opportunities, and candidates with volunteer experience have a 27% better chance of finding employment than non-volunteers.
2 | Community benefits
Healthier and happier folks tend to gravitate toward one another, participate in events and programs together, and sometimes they agree on common goals and undertake large projects, like building a playground or organizing a neighbourhood cleanup, for example. The immediate benefits of local volunteers to the community are the creation and maintenance of essential programs and services, and it can help “bond communities,” according to a 2018 Canadian study.
3 | Awareness spreads
As volunteers begin to see the benefits of their contributions to the community, the word spreads, and others begin to see the merit in an investment of their time too. Residents discover what local opportunities are available, and as more roles are filled, people meet and create relationships.
4 | Community connections
Neighbourhood networks are proven to increase quality of life for residents and resident families. Some examples of this are: a connected community looks out for one another so there’s less crime; connected neighbours are more likely to offer things like childcare at little or no cost, which has its obvious benefits; a network of parents can monitor their children more effectively; neighbours are more likely to assist others with tasks and projects around the home, which can alleviate some of that burden on those with less ability. This is just the tip of the iceberg, really, but it’s clear that having connections in your area can change your life for the better, and theirs too.
5 | Collaborations form
It seems people are at their best when they work toward a common goal, don’t you find? Collaborations form when people in neighbourhood networks discover they have a common interest or goal, and community organizations, like a community association, often assist and guide groups to reach their goals. Community groups may focus on anything from new infrastructure like playgrounds or traffic calming measures, to programming like playgroups or social events, to local Business Improvement Area groups that address local commerce needs.
To site some examples from our community, local volunteers in Thorncliffe and Greenview raised funds to build our inclusive playground, which has rejuvenated that area and serves as a great spot for families to meet and create networks. Another instance of local residents in our area collaborating for the greater good happened a couple of years ago. A few concerned residents began circulating a petition to have a problem property inspected by health authorities. This led directly to the restriction on tenancy at the property, and the eventual sale of the house. The property is now quite typical and well maintained, which is a relief to many local community members who had been frustrated by the events taking place for years.
6 | Value created
New infrastructure, as well as many other types of community projects, are visible elements of an active community with enthusiastic volunteers. Property values are positively affected by well maintained parks, playgrounds and natural areas, and community associations too, which are run primarily by local volunteers.
7 | Leads to local prosperity & wealth
When property values increase and the neighbourhood is attractive and well maintained, it is more likely that new businesses will be attracted to the area, particularly small businesses. Those businesses create employment opportunities and prosperity is distributed. Small businesses benefit the community in many ways, according to a study from the Better Business Bureau, “small businesses are the backbone of their local communities. More specifically, if you spend $100 at a local business, roughly $68 stays within your local economy.”
Local employment has many benefits as well, including less stress, more financial stability, and less impact on the environment. Local workers also create community and contribute to other local businesses, which increases local prosperity further.
8 | Quality of life
As the local economy becomes more vibrant, quality of life for the area goes up overall, and as more residents have increased well-being and stability, they have more time and energy to invest in local volunteering, and so a cycle is created.
There’s a lot of opportunity for volunteering in neighbourhoods near and far, so if you’re thinking about it, consider what would be a good fit for you.
We have an email list for volunteer notifications that are sent out whenever we need a hand with an event or group. Have a look at our volunteer info page here.
Sources:
https://foundation.caionline.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/VATech_Property_Values.pdf
https://calgaryherald.com/special-sections/encore-lifestyles/enjoying-the-benefits-of-volunteering
https://www.homelight.com/blog/what-makes-property-value-increase/
https://www.wcsu.edu/community-engagement/benefits-of-volunteering/
https://www.waldenu.edu/resource/how-strategic-volunteering-can-positively-impact-your-career
https://medium.com/@BBBNWP/10-ways-small-businesses-benefit-their-local-communities-7273380c90a9
