Benefits of Volunteering
Volunteer Manitoba is committed to promoting community engagement to young Manitobans. According to the 2013 General Social Survey - Giving, Volunteering and Participating, Canadian youth volunteer more than any other age group. In fact, 53% of Canadians aged 15 - 24 are involved in volunteering. This puts youth volunteerism well above the national average of 44%.
Youth (15 to 19 years) are more engaged with 66% volunteering an average of 110 hours per year.
Volunteering provides an opportunity for all of us to learn more about ourselves and our community. For students and young adults, volunteering can also help you learn about different career paths that may interest you and can also help you develop useful skills. Many volunteer opportunities offer youth a head start in their professional lives as employers seek out potential employees who demonstrate they are able to adapt to new environments and are willing to learn new skills.
Individual Benefits of Volunteering
- Discover new skills, talents and interests
- Building self-esteem through hands-on experience
- Job skill development: learn team-building, leadership and problem-solving
- Exploring career options
- Scholarship opportunities
- Be a part of the "working world" and see how an organization works from the inside
- Networking!! Possible future employment and professional references
Community Benefits of Volunteering
- Work with others to accomplish change
- Improve the lives of others in your community
- Help create a sustainable, healthy community
We encourage students and young adults to reflect on their skills and interests with family, teachers and friends before choosing a volunteer opportunity. Learning how to identify the skills and benefits gained from volunteering will help young Manitobans become aware of what they will gain from community engagement.
Want to know where to start? Visit our How to Get Involved Page!
