Volunteering Benefits Self, Others, Community

LITTLE ROCK — When deciding where and how to lend a helping hand, it’s important to identify your interests, skills and the issues you are passionate about. Or consider the “AAA” approach: aid, action, and advocacy.Nina Roofe, assistant vice president of family and consumer sciences for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said she began volunteering as a teenager as a candy striper at a local hospital and later in community service projects as part of her school’s home economics club.“These experiences compelled me to step out of my comfort zone, acquire new skills, and meet people I would not have met otherwise,” Roofe said. “Volunteering allows you to be in a setting where you are not expected to already ‘know everything.’“You can try new things and gain knowledge and experiences to take into your future, and build your resume for future success,” she said.Roofe said that according to a 2020 review of research published in the Social Issues and Policy Review, volunteering can uplift one’s spirits.“Helping others, feeling useful, engaging in meaningful work, and participating in purposeful and intentional activities can lead to feelings of happiness,” Roofe said.A 2021 journal article in The Gerontologist also reports that volunteering is associated with less depression and self-directed ageism among older adults. According to a 2023 article published in the Journal of Service Theory and Practice, Roofe stated that research suggests volunteers “perceive the world differently.”“Engaged volunteers feel empowered to create change and inspire others, rather than sitting back in frustration and inaction,” Roofe said.Where to VolunteerFor help navigating the many volunteer opportunities available, Roofe suggested using an “ISI” approach: Interests, Skills, and Issues.“First, make a list of your interests,” Roofe sa...