By: Serenity Anderson, Follow South Jersey Intern
SOUTH JERSEY — Throughout its history, Americans have been there to lend a helping hand and volunteer their time, energy, and resources to strive for the greater good, especially in times of crisis. At the height of the pandemic, 51% of Americans aged 16 and over informally volunteered, lending a helping hand to those most in need in their community.
Volunteerism in the United States started long before the founding of its country. At the start of migration to the Americas, colonies were rooted in community and faith-based charity where neighbors depended on and supported each other.
It wasn’t until the Revolutionary War that the first shift away from faith-centric volunteerism and toward patriotism. During this time, many Americans banded together to raise funds, boycott British products, and bear arms all in the name of freedom.
In the early 19th century, the Second Great Awakening was a spiritual and religious revival that prompted the belief that a person could do good on earth and earn their way to salvation. In calling for moral and philanthropic reforms, the Second Great Awakening led to the founding of colleges, seminaries, and mission societies.
As the U.S. grew in population and power, many organizations like YMCA, Salvation Army, and United Way were later created to address wealth disparities
Over time, social movements throughout U.S. history prompted the development of volunteerism and changed how Americans interact with each other.
The Abolitionist Movement– which advocated for the abolishment of slavery– had many famous frontiers like Fedrick Douglass and Sojourner Truth who displayed public activism and philanthropic work that spread awareness and shifted public opinion on the Civil War.
Civic engagement and political activism continued through to the 21st century in the form of labor movements which called for workers’ rights, women’s suffrage, and the civil rights movement.
Both world wars prompted volunteerism amongst Americans as volunteering to serve during wartime was normalized. After World War II, corporate philanthropy became mainstream as companies used matching gifts and donations to give to charities. This practice has carried on today where popular for-profit corporations like Google, Apple, and Warner Media are just some that donate their resources.
But who are the everyday people participating in volunteering today?
Despite the growth of corporate philanthropy and formal volunteering opportunities, many are turning towards informal volunteering– helping their neighbors, donating items, feeding the needy – and a majority of these participants are Baby Boomers. Many stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic by helping with testing, immunization, and wellness checks on neighbors.
Like their history, Americans found a way to come together during a dark time and embrace and promote community at a time when people needed each other the most.
Formal volunteering is another way to make a difference on a scale larger than one’s neighborhood. Biannual research reports sponsored by AmeriCorps suggest that formal volunteering services garnered 1.4 billion hours of service with an estimated economic value of $122.9 billion.
In comparison to the participation of Baby Boomers in informal volunteer opportunities, youth take the lead with formal volunteering. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2019-2021, people ages 16-17 made up a majority, 28% of volunteers in formal services.
Formal volunteer opportunities, like the social movements that came centuries before them, allow organizations to spread awareness about injustices and discrepancies throughout the country in an organized and effective manner. Without them, many large-scale changes would not have been achieved
However, fewer people are volunteering formally as the volunteering rate of men (5%) and women (8%) has dropped.
Researchers and directors of Do Good Institute Nathan Dizet and Robert T. Grimm Jr. argue that four factors contribute to the recent decline of volunteerism; overall decline in religiosity, delays in the transition to adulthood among 20 to 40-year-olds, retirement of Baby Boomers, and the lack of nonprofits that can host volunteers and solicit donations.
Volunteerism is taking another shift as numbers decrease from formal volunteer rates and increase informally.
The rise of social media has prompted new forms of volunteerism to surface such as virtual volunteerism and digital advocacy which have become popular and realistic options for people looking to make a change, but don’t have the time commitment to do so.
On a federal and national level, many initiatives have been created for people to interact with volunteerism, making it easier than ever to get involved.
Here are some helpful resources in South New Jersey that can connect you with local nonprofits and help launch your pathway into bettering your community:
- Volunteer South Jersey – service projects, supplying resources, and providing connections to engage volunteers
- Jersey Cares – offers annual events, collection drives, and corporate services
United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey – DEI initiatives, violence prevention, and financial wellness.
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