Member-only story
Volunteerism is Alive and Well
It’s Government funding that’s lacking
“ Dear Jean,” begins the email, “Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us. Unfortunately, there are currently no volunteer positions available. Please let us know if youare interested in being a fund-raising peer.”
I often receive this type of response from non-profits. There are plenty of volunteers for stocking shelves, stamping and mailing newsletters, writing promotions, staffing thrift shops, and cleaning up trash in public spaces (at least where I live). What these non-profits lack is funding for the supplies, the utility bills, and the necessary insurance policies that keep their services up and running.
I’ve always been a volunteer. There is joy and a sense of purpose involved in working in community for a common cause. Volunteering also provides a free education for learning new skills, and a chance to meet people outside of one’s current social circle.
At the age of 63, I find myself unemployed and struggling to make ends meet. My college education and years of work experience make no difference in this environment of corporate take-overs.
Employers bemoan that, “ No one wants to work anymore, “ while they offer jobs at $12/hr, for maybe 15 hours per week. Of course, no benefits. What is anyone supposed to…
