By: Teagan Mack

Volunteering is a really good way to give back to the community while also improving yourself. Whether it’s helping at an animal shelter, contributing or volunteering at a food bank, or cleaning up a local park, volunteering has many benefits that go beyond doing good deeds. It’s a rewarding experience that can help shape a person in more than one way.

One of the most significant benefits of volunteering is the good influence it has on mental health. According to research, helping others can increase happiness and reduce stress. Having a sense of purpose from meaningful work can boost one’s self-esteem and general well-being. Volunteering allows you to interact with people, which can help you overcome loneliness and develop a strong sense of belonging.

Another significant benefit is developing new and important skills. Volunteering can teach responsibility, teamwork, and communication skills that can help in school and in the future. It can also help people to gain more real-world experiences and adapt. Some examples could be volunteering at a hospital, which could give insight into medical fields.

Volunteering with children can help with patience and leadership skills, like I volunteer every Saturday and Wednesday at my church with the kids. Saturdays I do worship, where the kids join in following dances and singing to songs, it’s such a fun experience. Wednesdays I volunteer in the cafe during student groups for middle schoolers and high schoolers; this prepares me for future jobs with communication and teamwork skills.

Volunteering can introduce you to new people and expand your social skills. You get to work with people who have similar interests and goals, and you can also learn from them. This could lead to possible friendships and future opportunities. Most organizations can offer letters of recommendation or certificates, which could help you apply for college or future jobs.

Finally, volunteering can make a big impact on the world, and on the people you help. Even just small acts, like helping at community events, or tutoring younger students, can help in major ways. It helps to show that no matter your age, anyone can contribute to make a difference in someone else’s life, or even your own.

In the end, volunteering isn’t just about helping others, but also about personal growth. It helps people gain connections, and experiences, new life skills, and feel good about helping others. It doesn’t matter how or where you volunteer, because the benefits are endless.