The facts according to national studies on volunteering trends, the effects of your child giving time and energy to others has a lasting impression on their life. Most often teens respond positively when questioned about their experiences with volunteering. Experts contend that Civic participation begins early in life. An independent study by the Gallup Organization evaluated the teen volunteering history of active leaders in several major communities and found that all had some type of early interaction with volunteering during their teen years. Most started their volunteering by age 14 with their church or with a non-profit organization in their community.

Ask the average adult to use three or four words to describe teens and chances are you will not hear the word volunteers mentioned. Yet, the study showed that more than half of America’s teens reported volunteering. Of the teens interviewed, 59% reported that they gave an estimated 3.5 hours per week volunteering.

Children and teens who volunteer increase their knowledge of the world and the problems that face it. Through volunteering, teens can experience being part of the solution. Adults that volunteered as teens later reported that their involvement was more likely to cause them to look for opportunities to shape their communities. Teens that volunteer receive lifelong personal benefits that come only through selfless giving to others. Positive volunteering experiences during teen years increase the possibility of continued volunteering in adulthood.

So parents….what are you waiting for? FEAST is a great place to volunteer with your child! Get your children and teens involved in something good, get them involved with volunteering. Teen volunteering impacts both the young person and our society. Contact us at adminassist@homeschoolfeast.com to learn how to volunteer at FEAST today! 

More Facts…

  • Those who reported having positive role models were nearly twice as likely to volunteer as those who did not.
  • Those that volunteer feel good about themselves.
  • Those that volunteer are less likely to smoke, drink or do drugs.
  • Those that volunteer are less likely to be apathetic and self-centered.
  • Those that volunteer regularly do better scholastically.
  • Those that volunteer are more likely to set career goals early and develop an increased focus on responsibility.
  • Those that volunteer are more likely to respond respectfully to adults.
  • Those that volunteer are more likely to respect others privacy.
  • Those that volunteer are more likely to develop a kind and caring attitude to those less fortunate.
  • Those that volunteer are more likely to step into leadership roles at the high school and college stage of their lives.
  • Those that volunteer are more aware of the community around them and the problems that exist.
  • Those that volunteer report that they felt that they had developed an understanding of good citizenship.