One of the foundations that the YMCA is built on is volunteering. Across the United States, more than 500,000 business leaders, community advocates, parents, teens, and individuals who want to show their support volunteer at the Y. With a focus on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, Y volunteers give those around them the resources and support they need to be healthy, confident, connected, and secure.
Anyone can volunteer to help the Y! We need leaders to help raise funds, coach youth sports, and participate in opportunities to give back to the community. If you are just looking to individually volunteer here, you can find a volunteer opportunity that fits your schedule.
Teen volunteers can serve as Kid’s Club Assistants, Pool Deck Assistants, and more. If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity for the whole family, Special Events and Clean Up Days are a perfect fit. If your company or team is looking for a bonding opportunity, come volunteer at the Y!
Benefits of Volunteering
The benefits of becoming a volunteer means that you will not only be providing real help to your community, but you will also be making a difference in someone’s life. Other benefits include:
Developing professionally: Volunteering can form stronger professional qualities and leadership skills.
Gaining confidence: Volunteering can help you gain confidence by trying something new and building your self-esteem.
Making friends: Volunteering can help you meet all kinds of new people and remove barriers, strengthening personal relationships by working towards a common goal.
Taking on a challenge: Through volunteering, you challenge yourself to try something different, help others in your community, and grow skills you might not have even know you had!
Giving to others is good for your health too! Volunteering can boost your mental and physical health, as it reduces stress, combats depression, keeps you mentally stimulated, and provides a sense of purpose. Nothing relieves stress better than having a meaningful conversation with someone who needs your help. Volunteering is a real-life opportunity to change lives within your community, and the more you give, the happier you feel.
Goals of Volunteering
When you begin volunteering, it can be hard to decide what direction to go, and which is best for your lifestyle and interests. Setting some volunteering goals is a good idea. Examples of some specific goals are:
- Improving the neighborhood.
- Trying something new.
- Meeting new people.
- Doing something rewarding with your spare time.
- Seeing new places or experiencing a different way of living.
- Trying a new type of work that you might want to pursue as a full-time job.
- Expanding on new interests and hobbies.
And if you don’t know your schedule yet, don’t fret! We have seasonal, monthly, year-round, and once-a-year volunteer opportunities featuring a range of areas to help in. You could coach a team, tutor kids, connect with seniors, serve at the Welcome Center, or work at special events like Spring Cleaning or the Fall Festival.
So, what are you waiting for? If you want to get started on your volunteering journey, contact us at volunteer@myy.org with any questions.