My mother made me do it
(Written in response to “Is Forced Volunteering Helping Anyone?” 4-30-07, CanWest News Service. Link at end of piece.)
I heard this from a young volunteer (actually, more than one) while working on a project at one of our properties the other day. The youth referred to the fact that she was there because her mother said so, and “That was that.”
Silently, I thanked her mother and all the other parents who send their children my way. While I’m a firm believer in fun, relaxation (my hammock is calling to me even now), hobbies (hmmm, knitting or gardening today?), and spending time with my friends, I also believe there is merit in giving your time to something other than yourself.
Now, as a volunteer coordinator, I’m completely biased. Our organization relies on volunteers to complete projects and do tasks that are necessary and relevant, but that staff do not always have time for.
When I first meet groups, I tell them something about our organization and why it’s helpful in the community. We talk about what the average annual income for our tenants is - just over $11,000 - and what has to be paid for out of that. The list mounts up and they don’t seem much fazed by the tightness of the budget until I ask, “What about birthdays? Holidays? Medicine?” The wheels turn. You can almost hear the thought, “No money for presents?!? Just a minute…” The room is usually silent except for someone saying, “Oh.”
I’m not looking to bring these kids down, but my hope is to create a moment of understanding for another person, someone they don’t even know. I am also not looking to engender pity for our tenants. Living on a low income requires a certain saviness. Each day choices are weighed and decisions made about what to spend and what to keep. Sometimes the choices are harder than others - food or medicine, gas or child’s birthday present - and how that is done I do not know.
At the end, the group worked hard, had fun, and found satisfaction in a job well done. I thanked them for giving their time and energy to help in the fight against homelessness. And I thanked their mothers.