Why Volunteers Volunteer

What age group volunteers the most?

The week of April 17 – 23 was Volunteer Appreciation Week. Did you know that in 2021 about four in ten Canadians rolled up their sleeves to help others through organizations or in a neighborly way? While young people are most apt to have done some volunteering during a given year, it is people over sixty who log the most volunteer hours as they enjoy their retirement years with purposeful living volunteering. We see that trend at Telecare.

Why do people volunteer?

According to Statistics Canada, the most common reason is “to contribute to the well-being of the community”. At Telecare that means nurturing the mental and spiritual health of callers through supportive listening, referrals, and prayer when requested. 

Other motivations Statistics Canada note are:

• to support a political, environmental or social cause
• to put personal skills to good use
• to improve job opportunities (especially true among young people)
• and to act on spiritual or religious convictions

Why volunteer at Telecare?

The reasons why people volunteer at Telecare may include all these motivations. However, living out one’s faith to help others is front and center. “We promote our mission among volunteers right from the start,” explains executive director Bill Strom, “and that is to demonstrate the compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ by providing dedicated, skilled and empathetic listeners to anyone who calls for help.” Telecare seeks to attract mature Christians who find purpose in listening to hurting people by being Jesus’s heart and voice.

Telecare also welcomes students

Telecare also welcomes students who need to complete a practicum for college degree programs. While interns need credit hours, that reason seems secondary to their desire to express God’s love. “When we screen students from area Christian colleges, we are encouraged by their heart for the Lord,” observes board chair Janet Hitchcock. “In fact, our practicum students are some of our most passionate call responders. They really love God and people.”

Volunteering behind the scenes

While most volunteers serve on the lines, another significant percent help behind the scenes. This might entail organizing fundraisers, helping with training, or writing articles for this newsletter. “We need people helping behind the scenes to ensure we have qualified call responders on the front lines” explained Bill Strom. Recently the board approved the idea of promoting volunteer positions such as fundraisers, trainers, and writers. Doing so will hopefully attract new people with diverse skills to help us thrive.

Are you interested in serving at Telecare?

Readers interested in serving at Telecare can get the conversation going by contacting the head office at 604.852.4058. We welcome you and the gifts you bring. 

_ _ _ _ _

In May...