Volunteer


Why Volunteer?

Beside the fact that more and more Americans are being drawn to community service in response to our President’s call to action, people inherently unite in times of real need―especially when we share a common struggle. The financial crisis in the fall of 2008 hit our country hard, resulting in a disastrous housing market, thousands of lost jobs and the closing of many businesses. This turn of events had grave impact on so many, and yet Americans still pulled together to find a way to help each other―through volunteerism.

How Do We Know This?

As a 114-year-old human service organization that offers volunteer opportunities through thousands of programs, Volunteers of America helps more than 2 million people in over 400 communities in 44 states. Through our ministry of service, we support and empower America’s most vulnerable groups. And although the concept of volunteering is not unique to Volunteers of America, it has had dramatic ties to the roots of our organization. Last year alone, more than 70,000 volunteers sought to serve their fellow Americans through both episodic and long-term community engagement with Volunteers of America.

Featured Program: Michigan's "Adopt-a-Family" Program

Walking into the “Adopt-A-Family” office is sensory overload for me. Twenty phones ringing nonstop, volunteers unpacking donations of clothing & toys, parents waiting their turn to retrieve their Christmas gifts, and volunteers with recipients moving in & out of rooms. A mother calls because she moved from one low-rent apartment to another. Will her sponsor be able to find her? A single father just survived a house fire. Can his kids be adopted for Christmas?