Guest AuthorEvery day in Florida, countless volunteers serve in our schools, mentoring and tutoring our most vulnerable children. They serve at senior centers, state parks, and even in our homes, providing meals to homebound individuals and caring for those with unique abilities. They make our communities safer, stronger and healthier.
That is why Volunteer Florida is proud to recognize April as Florida Volunteer Month. Together with Florida Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet, leaders in the Florida Senate and House of Representatives, and mayors and county executives across the Sunshine State, we stand together and say “thank you” to the millions of Floridians who serve their neighbors.
Volunteer Florida serves as the governor’s lead agency for service and volunteerism in Florida, administering millions of dollars in funding to grantees across the state, promoting volunteerism and mobilizing Floridians to serve.
Over the last year, Volunteer Florida’s AmeriCorps grantees and partners served a total of 1,895,708 hours in Florida, a value of $40 million. In addition to direct service in Florida communities, our AmeriCorps members –1,300 strong – worked to identify new volunteers. As a result, Volunteer Florida’s AmeriCorps members trained 7,853 new volunteers, who served almost 50,000 hours. Additionally, we are proud to partner with our state’s Volunteer Centers, which connect Floridians with opportunities to serve in 37 Florida counties.
The impact of volunteerism illustrates why Florida’s state and local government leaders are increasingly turning to volunteers as a cost-effective strategy to address local challenges. Volunteers provide services that would otherwise cost taxpayer dollars.
We are also becoming smarter about the way we maximize volunteer service. Florida is embracing a strategic type of volunteerism that expands the impact of community organizations, such as local Boys and Girls Clubs or food pantries, by leveraging professionals’ skills. From accountants to IT and management consultants, “skills-based volunteers” use their professional experience to strengthen the operations of nonprofits. At the same time, the individual serving as a volunteer develops his or her leadership capabilities.
The professional development that individuals gain from volunteering is also a big benefit to those who are also seeking a job. We’ve always had anecdotal evidence that volunteering can increase employment prospects. It makes sense: volunteerism helps job seekers learn new skills, expand their networks and take on leadership roles.
Now, we have data to back it up. Volunteers living in rural areas have a 55 percent higher likelihood of finding employment than job-seekers who do not volunteer. Volunteers without a high school diploma have a 51 percent higher likelihood of finding employment, and volunteers have a 27 percent higher likelihood of finding a job after being out of work than non-volunteers. Volunteering is associated with an increased likelihood of finding employment for all volunteers regardless of a person’s gender, age, ethnicity, geographical area or the job market conditions.
Volunteering is good for our communities, and it’s good for the individuals who serve. We are proud to recognize April as Florida Volunteer Month.
Remember: It is never too late to starting serving… and Florida Volunteer Month is the perfect time to start!
Contact www.volunteerflorida.org for more information.
Chester W. Spellman is CEO of Volunteer Florida. Column courtesy of Context Florida.
