All of us at The Sober Curator and at the SOBER POP Club on Clubhouse are big proponents of giving and being of service. Whether it be time, talent, or money, we all have unique gifts to share with others. Besides wanting to be a good human, there are many reasons to give. Multiple studies on the topic reveal that people who give time and money are happier, live longer, and feel more connected. This aligns nicely with our recovery journeys, right?

Why is volunteer work important?

Volunteering is important because it helps us get out of our own selfishness. Good news! There are countless ways to be helpful and volunteer. When individuals volunteer they may choose to help specific individuals, support philanthropic causes close to their hearts, and provide assistance to their local community.

We found this great list of personal and professional benefits of volunteering on Indeed.

Personal benefits of volunteering

Promotes good health: Volunteering can help maintain positive mental and physical health for the volunteer. An individual who volunteers may see a rise in their confidence because helping others can provide a feeling of achievement. In addition, volunteering can help decrease an individual’s risk of depression because volunteering connects you with other people and provides opportunities for positive social interactions. Volunteering also helps maintain an individual’s physical health, as you are likely moving or lifting a wide variety of items, or at a minimum moving your body and getting exercise.
Builds interpersonal skills: Volunteering helps individuals build interpersonal skills and communicate with other volunteers, which provides the foundation for engaging in social relationships. If an individual sees themselves as shy or introverted, registering for volunteer work can provide opportunities to engage with other people and connect with the community. As a result, the individual can enhance their interpersonal and communication skills.
Establishes new contacts: As a volunteer, individuals have opportunities to meet new people and possibly make friends with people they may not have met otherwise. These new relationships are forged through the common interest that both parties have in the volunteer work. Additionally, volunteering is a great way to interact with your community and get involved in your neighborhood.
Promotes happiness: Volunteering can bring joy and happiness to the volunteer by giving them opportunities to help those in need. Similarly, becoming a volunteer can add opportunities for exciting and new experiences to your life and can allow you to pursue other areas that interest you. For example, if you work as an accountant and usually work indoors, you may find it beneficial to volunteer at an animal shelter or a home building organization so you can have more time outdoors.

Professional benefits of volunteering

Discover a career path: Because volunteering provides individuals with new experiences, becoming a volunteer can help you discover your ideal career path. If your volunteer work aligns with your passions, volunteering can help you determine whether a career in that field will interest you.
Stay up-to-date: Volunteering allows you to stay up-to-date on any changes in working society. Volunteers are able to enhance their unique skill set and learn new skills through volunteering, which is beneficial for any job.
Provide challenges: Individuals may find that some tasks are challenging, especially if volunteering in an industry that is unfamiliar to them. In this way, volunteering can provide stimulating challenges that can help you learn new skills in order to strengthen your skillset. Volunteering in a field that is new to you is a great way to make your resume stand out because it shows potential employers that you are willing to accept challenges.
Find a job: Occasionally, volunteering may result in the volunteer being hired by the organization. When an organization is looking to hire internally, the hiring managers are likely to begin looking at internal positions such as those who have previously volunteered at the organization. Individuals who volunteer and then apply to paid positions when available may have an advantage over outside hires.

Places to Volunteer

If you are looking to volunteer for nonprofit organizations that are recovery-based, we’ve got you covered! We have started curating a list in our PAY IT FORWARD section of the site. If we missed one, make sure to email us with the details at thesobercurator@gmail.com.

Volunteer Idea Generators to Get You Started:

Schools
Senior Centers & Nursing Homes
Local Youth Sporting Teams
Hospitals
Animal Shelters
Home Construction Organizations
Libraries
Soup kitchens
Transitional Housing / Shelters
United Way
American Red Cross
Adopt a Highway
Beach & Park Cleanup Organizations
Local Churches
Special Olympics
VolunteerMatch.org
Be My Eyes App – Bringing sight to blind and low-vision people
Connect with people new in recovery via Clubhouse, Facebook, Instagram, etc.

The list could go on and on. Every day, make a point to slow down and look at the world directly surrounding you. Is there some garbage you could pick up and dispose of properly? Is there an elderly person at the grocery store that could use a little help out with their car? Maybe you have a neighbor who is stuck inside for any reason that would love some help with yard work or running errands. Or maybe you see someone that could just really use a nice compliment. Last time we checked, compliments don’t cost a dime and when you give them out authentically, they can have a huge impact on the person receiving them.

So go on now – get out there and spread some sober love!