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Adjusting to life in a new area can be difficult. When people move, they leave behind their communities and their connections. This disconnect can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, loss of sense of purpose, or stunted professional development. One possible answer to all of these problems is volunteer work.
Getting involved in a new community is one of the best ways to make it feel like home. Volunteering comes with a long list of benefits for volunteers and organizations alike. Phyllis Cohn, Regional Program Director for the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces, described a sort of symbiotic relationship between volunteers and their organizations. Like many service organizations, The American Red Cross relies extensively on volunteer work, but it also provides important opportunities for volunteers to grow, both personally and professionally. Aside from the important work that volunteers do for their organizations, “there are a few wonderful reasons to be a volunteer,” said Cohn.
It can be hard to meet new people while getting settled in a new place. “The first reason to volunteer is a built-in community for the volunteer. This is particularly beneficial for people new to the area, such as spouses,” Cohn said.
When volunteering, people can meet and make connections that can turn into friendships. Time spent working together for the greater good can spark conversations about shared interests and goals.
The second reason to volunteer Cohn described is the potential to gain valuable work experience. “Volunteers can enhance their skills while volunteering,” Cohn explained. “It can be hard to find work in Germany, but people don’t want to leave when it is PCS time with gaps in their resumes. These gaps can be filled with valuable leadership experience or new skills gained through volunteer work.” While volunteer work is, by definition, unpaid, it can pay off big time in the job market. By tailoring outreach to suit an existing or desired skill set, volunteers can refine their abilities and use them to achieve their goals.
One obvious benefit of volunteering is the chance of providing service to the community and giving back. By helping to meet the needs of those around them, volunteers become an important part of their community. They can also find a sense of purpose by spending their time helping people.
The last benefit of community service that Cohn discussed was the role it can play in the careers of active duty military members. By volunteering their time, active duty members can gain real-world experience that bolsters their military career. Additionally, volunteer experience can go a long way in showing the character of a service member. Opportunities to volunteer on and off base are available to military members and civilians alike.
Fortunately, there is a plethora of volunteer opportunities to be found within the Kaiserslautern Military Community, including service organizations, school programs, spouses’ groups, and more. As Cohn stated, “We know that volunteering is the right thing to do anyway, but it also shows those around you that you have a heart for community service.” So, get out there and get involved. For a complete list of volunteer opportunities in the KMC, visit www.kaiserslauternamerican.com/to-volunteer-or-not-to-volunteer.
