The Benefits and Evolution of Volunteering

40,000. This is the number of hours Spark mentors will volunteer this year to help 1,000 students stay engaged and on track. It’s nearly the equivalent of five years of volunteer time!

It’s astounding. And there’s no shortage of gratitude here at Spark for the terrific mentors who bring our program to life.

This month Spark joins Points of Light and others in “celebrating service” during National Volunteer Month. It’s a time to recognize the millions of Americans who give their time and talent to help others. It’s also a time to highlight the meaningful impact giving back has on the volunteers themselves, and the growth in community service nationwide.

Good for Others, Good for You
We often showcase the benefits Spark’s workplace-based mentoring program brings to students in the middle grades. But, did you know mentors also benefit from volunteering?

• 73% of Spark mentors have an increased motivation and appreciation for their job
• 74% of Spark mentors believe that participating in the program has challenged them and helped them to develop new skills such as communication, leadership and collaboration
• 82% of Spark mentors feel closer to their community after participating in Spark

And if these weren't enough, research indicates that those who volunteer are healthier and more likely to live longer!

The Next Generation of Volunteers
These benefits, when coupled with other initiatives including workplace-based community service, are helping to change the culture of volunteering. This year marks the seventh anniversary of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which expands national service programs and is linked to increased volunteerism in the US.

Mr. Kennedy would be proud to know that the nation’s commitment to service appears to continue its upward trajectory as the next generation demonstrates significant enthusiasm for volunteering. Research shows Millennials are overwhelmingly opting to donate their time and personal skills. This is good news for service and good news for Spark. Only 30% of surveyed Millennial employees did not volunteer in 2014. A closer look at Spark mentors reinforces this point of engagement with 67% of our volunteer mentors ranging in age from 25 to 35.

In addition, the advent of more workplace-based community engagement efforts like Deloitte’s Impact Day is successfully increasing the service component of corporate engagement and philanthropy.

The Work Goes On
“The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die.”

Indeed this famous quote from Edward M. Kennedy still rings true today. This is the time to acknowledge “the work” does not go on without the tremendous volunteers Spark and many other organizations are grateful to engage. When businesses encourage, generations embrace and adults recognize their responsibility for volunteering, many more social challenges become solvable.