Youth VolunteerismEmpowering youth to become contributing members of society

Jason BrewerUnited Way of El Paso County

WE MUST BECOME THE CHANGE WE WANT TO SEE.

YOU MAY NEVER KNOW WHAT RESULTS COME OF YOUR ACTION, BUT IF YOU DO NOTHING THERE WILL BE NO RESULT.

- MAHATMA GANDHI

Objectives:

•To define youth philanthropy

•To define empowerment

•To illustrate the importance of empowerment of youth to become motivated volunteers

•To identify opportunities for empowering your youth to become volunteers

Phi·lan·thro·py

altruistic concern for human welfare and advancement, usually manifested by donations of money, property, or un-paid work for those in need, by endowment of institutions of learning and hospitals, and by generosity to other socially useful purposes.

-Webster’s Dictionary

Philanthropy is more than just a fund raising campaign. It is about giving back for the sake of advancing community conditions for all.

Creating a culture of Philanthropy

Our current societal views of philanthropy

•Non-profits not seen as an integral part of corporate world

•Traditional forces for teaching this ethic are eroding.

•Skills necessary to offset forces of social disintegration in an increasingly diverse culture are found in civic sector.

•Understanding of civil engagement remains a mystery to children.

Creating a culture of Philanthropy

Giving is Learned behavior

Benefits of Youth Philanthropy

•Youth who volunteer are more likely to do well in school, graduate, vote, and be philanthropic as adults.

•Youth who volunteer just one hour a week are 50% less likely to abuse drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, or engage in destructive behavior.

• Young people who volunteer are more likely to become active citizens, engaged in civic activity as youths and later as adults.

• Almost 78% of youth who volunteer report that volunteering is important because it “allows me to gain a new perspective on things.”

• Volunteering connects young people to their communities, fosters leadership and develops an interest in making a difference.

Source: The Corporation for National and Community Service, “The Health Benefits of Volunteering: A Review of Recent Research.”

Additional Health Benefits of Youth Philanthropy

• Improved self confidence and self-esteem, which helps to reduce blood pressure and improves immune function.

• Placement in highly social situations, which increase the opportunity for close interpersonal relationships and strengthen one’s sense of identity

• Formation of interpersonal ties and social networks that can act as a buffer against stress and illness.

• A longer life expectancy than non-volunteers. Studies report that engaging in regular volunteer work increases life expectancy because social interaction improves quality of life.

Source: The Corporation for National and Community Service, “The Health Benefits of Volunteering: A Review of Recent Research.”

Empowerment

What does the term mean to you?

Em·pow·er·ment

to enable, permit, or give power to; to promote individual self-assurance to produce a desired outcome

-Webster’s Dictionary

Does this definition match your original thoughts of empowerment?

It begins with you.

•Children are born wanting to give, but loose the inclination if precedence is not set in their environment

•Nurture their inclination to give

•Encourage interaction with other giving adults outside of the home

•Participate in volunteer activities as a family.

•Encourage youth participation by seeking opinions, suggestions

Global Youth Service Day

Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) is the largest service event in the world. United Way of El Paso County is organizing the 5th Annual GYSD for April 20-22, 2012.

GYSD is Designed to:

•Mobilize youth (ages 5-25) to identify and address the needs of their communities through service and learning,

•Support youth on a lifelong path of service and civic engagement,

•Educate the public, the media, and the policymakers about the year-round contributions of young people as community leaders.

Global Youth Service Day

In April 2011:

•More than 4,500 youth participated in community service projects

• Engaged more than 44 youth organizations to participate in Global Youth Service Day

•Projects included clean-ups, non-perishable food collections, garden planting and family shelter renovations.

•Project conducted a Kick-off celebration that was held on April 15th at the Chamizal National monument.

• Hundreds of Volunteer Opportunities right here in El Paso County

• Create a profile to find opportunities specific to your interest

• Absolutely Free!!

LOG ON AND CREATE AN ACCOUNT

Contact Me:

Jason BrewerUnited Way of El Paso Countyjbrewer@unitedwayelpaso.org915-533-2434@brewerjlz on Twitter

www.volunteerelpaso.org

Thank You!!!!