With the New Year approaching, many people start thinking about their New Year’s resolutions. These can range from forming healthier habits to bucket list items. Volunteering is another great New Year’s resolution that will not only benefit you but will also impact your community.

Read below to learn more about the importance and benefits of volunteerism and what opportunities there are to get involved.

Importance of Volunteerism

Volunteering is one of the best hands on ways to make a difference in your community. Unfortunately, there are many individuals who struggle to put food on the table, find safe housing, keep warm and make ends meet. Giving your time through volunteerism can give the hand up our neighbors need to improve their lives for brighter futures.

Benefits of Volunteerism

Volunteering provides numerous benefits to the volunteer and their community. From finding purpose and improving personal health to helping community members in need, there are lots of reasons to add volunteering to your New Year’s resolutions list.

Benefits to the Volunteer

Volunteering provides physical, mental and social health benefits. These benefits are not contingent on the type of volunteering, so you can receive these benefits in whichever area you are passionate about.

Physical Health Benefits

Many volunteer activities encourage physical activity. Even just walking more throughout the day when you volunteer can have positive effects on your health. One of the greatest health impacts, however, comes from the social connections made by volunteering. Carnegie Mellon University discusses how quality social interactions can promote healthy aging, improve cardiovascular health and help reduce risks for negative health outcomes in their article, “Volunteering Reduces Risk of Hypertension In Older Adults, Carnegie Mellon Research Shows.” The act of volunteering with the addition of social connections helps those who volunteer improve their health and overall well-being.

Mental and Social Health Benefits

Volunteering also helps improve individuals’ mental and social health. Community Memorial Healthcare’s article, “Volunteering Is Good for Your Health,” explains how volunteering can help reduce chronic stress by being a positive outlet for daily stressors and worries while also reinforcing a sense of purpose. Plus, the added social interactions with other volunteers and workers aids in reducing loneliness and depression while increasing positive thinking, as Community Memorial Healthcare explains. Having a sense of purpose and community is crucial to individuals’ well-being, especially for older adults. Volunteering provides that sense of purpose many need and crave–ultimately improving individuals’ physical, mental and social well-being.

Benefits to the Community

Volunteering provides a number of benefits to the community as well. Of course, all of the positive health benefits discussed above will benefit individuals’ communities as their own well-being improves. Volunteering also impacts community members in need as they give individuals a hand up through their service. Volunteers are foundational to charities and nonprofits–helping more people receive resources and guidance through their generosity.

According to AmeriCorps’ survey, Volunteering and Civic Life in America Research Summary, “An estimated 23.2 percent of Americans or 60.7 million people formally volunteered with organizations between September 2020 and 2021. In total, these volunteers served an estimated 4.1 billion hours with an economic value of $122.9 billion.” This data only shows a glimpse of the impact volunteers have on their community as the greatest effects are seen in each life impacted by their service.

TrueNorth Community Services is greatly supported by volunteers. Check out the impact sheet below to see how volunteers are making a difference in their community.

Volunteer and Make an Impact this New Year

“I just highly encourage it [volunteering]. It’s just, to me, it’s a life-changing experience to be able to give back and help other people,” says Randy. You can make an impact on your community just like Randy when you choose to volunteer. Not only will you transform the lives of your neighbors in need, but you will also improve your own well-being in the process.

Take a look at TrueNorth’s volunteer opportunities below to see how you can help your neighbors and community.

TrueNorth’s Volunteer Opportunities

At TrueNorth, we have opportunities for all skill-sets and interests so you can find the best fit for you. Helping others can be as simple as being a smiling face in the Food Center, being a mentor to local youth, painting bowls, sorting toys or connecting with those who are isolated.

We have opportunities for Agency Support, Camp Newaygo, Community Connections, Hunger Prevention, Mentoring, Special Programs & Events among many others. See below to learn more about our Call & Connect program where you can make a difference in the lives of those experiencing social isolation.

Volunteer Opportunity Spotlight: Call & Connect

Are you looking to make a positive impact in your community? The Call & Connect program is seeking compassionate volunteers to pair with older adults in Newaygo County who could benefit from extra social interaction. By offering a friendly phone call, you can help reduce feelings of isolation and provide valuable companionship to seniors in need. Use TrueNorth issued mobile phones to connect with participants on a weekly basis.

Your time and kindness will brighten someone’s day. If you’re ready to make a meaningful connection, sign up to volunteer today!

For more information or to get involved with Call & Connect or any of TrueNorth’s other volunteer opportunities, please contact Charlie Forbes, TrueNorth’s Volunteer Hub Coordinator, at (231) 924-0641, ext. 112 or cforbes@truenorthservices.org.