What would you give to have better health, more focus, new social connections and a distinct purpose for your life? What if you could change the trajectory of a child’s life? Taking on a youth-serving volunteer role may be the best solution for all of the above!
The many benefits of volunteering
According to AARP, volunteers experience long-term health benefits, such as decreased anxiety, depression, isolation and enhanced physical capacity. Recent research has also found that volunteering can improved your cognitive functions and decrease the rate of Alzheimer’s by learning new things, developing new skills, solving problems and tapping into your memory!! Not to mention- volunteering is an excellent starter to finding a job in a non-profit!
Why it matters
Let’s turn the table. We can acknowledge that volunteering can be good for us- but there is the other side- the tremendous economic and academic gaps in our community and the challenges that our children face every day. Did you know that school readiness in low income areas of Tampa Bay is only 50-60% and that the overall graduation rate is approximately 80%? Parents are struggling with making ends meet and working two jobs. Teachers are stretched thin and afterschool programs are in desperate need of homework helpers. There is a long line of children waiting to be matched to mentors. Check out this great article that talks about the benefits and tremendous impact that mentors provide.
The time is now
As the summer winds down and the school year gets into high gear, it’s now a good time to take stock of how you want to spend your time and make a difference in another person’s life. There are hundreds of opportunities for older adults to play a role in the lives of children in our 
community, from reading a story to a child, to being a mentor, to being a homework helper or volunteer in an after-school program. From ages 2-21, every child can benefit from a non-parental/teacher role to help fill the gaps and help them achieve academic and life success.
Our mental roadblocks.
I can imagine the self-talk already creating road blocks to taking that first step:
- “I don’t have any extra time to volunteer” (You can volunteer as little as 4 hours a month)
- “I don’t know what kind of role or volunteer job I want to take” (it is perfectly fine to call a non profit and talk to someone about the volunteer roles – you are welcome to ask questions before you sign up for anything)
- “I don’t know where to start looking for an opportunity to serve” (see below)
Be inspired!
I am part of a national movement and an action-oriented community of people who believe that the goal in later life isn’t trying to be young; it’s to be there for those who are. Go to www.generationtogeneration.org to get inspired and see all the many communities and partners that are mobilizing older adults in their communities to improve the lives of children and bring multiple generations together.
Take the first step
All it takes is that first step… once you see a child’s eyes light up when you walk into a room you will know you made the right decision. For some of you, your grandchildren are hundreds of miles away- so this is your chance to be pseudo grandparent to someone else!
Where do I begin?
- www.volunteermatch.com (you enter your zip code and many local youth serving organizations have posted their volunteer opportunities.
- Call Seniors in Service/ RSVP – and talk to Sarah who will give you a great list of options for working with kids!!- 727-490-8208
- AARP- Create the Good (enter your zip code and interest)
- Other organizations offer a wide range of volunteer roles – from 4 hours a month to 5 hours a week:
- Big Brothers, Big Sisters
- Boys and Girls Club
- R Club
- Metropolitan Ministries
- Pinellas or Hillsborough Education Foundation (Take Stock in Children): Reading Pals
- Champions for Children.
You may already know of a local group or non-profit that is looking for adults in youth serving roles. So, what are you waiting for? Schools and after- school programs are busy trying to fill those volunteer roles. Give them a call or go online. This first step could actually jump start your ENCORE!!!
“Aging- Its not about the fountain of youth, its about the fountain WITH youth.” Marc Freedman (founder of Encore movement)
Bevan Rogel
Encore Tampa Bay