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Volunteer - unemployment is the worst for decades. There are literally half the population not working right now with nothing to do, its the least useful time t

Volunteer - unemployment is the worst for decades. There are literally half the population not working right now with nothing to do, its the least useful time to volunteer. (OK maybe I'm wrong)

benburleson 6y ago
Just because (some) employers are able to pay as many employees (possibly zero) as before, doesn't mean there are no jobs to be done. With so many social issues currently highlighted, it seems like an excellent time to give some time.
kingkawn 6y ago
This is the most useful volunteering time because the social needs are everywhere
kerkeslager 6y ago
You are uninformed. Please delete your post and stop spreading harmful misinformation. 1. Just because people aren't working doesn't mean they are volunteering. In fact, there's an exodus of volunteers, because retirees, the group which historically is most likely to volunteer, are also the most likely to isolate because they're at high risk from coronavirus. This is causing a massive shift in the demographic of volunteers. It's unclear to me whether the number of volunteers is going up or down overall, but it is clear that some organizations are being left short-handed by the change. 2. Quantity of volunteers does not necessarily mean that there's a good match between volunteer skillsets and the skills needed. The massive shift in volunteer demographics means that certain roles which were previously filled by people with a lot of experience, are now empty, and an excess of young enthusiastic volunteers doesn't fix that problem. 3. Unemployment also drastically increases the need felt by many communities. I'm not sure whether the supply of volunteers is up or down, but the demand for volunteers is clearly increased. You don't have to trust me or x87678r: call your local charities and see if they need volunteers. I am confident you'll very quickly find that some do. EDIT: My post is strongly worded, but I don't apologize. x87678r's comment is far more offensive than anything I said. If HN is more worried about some strong wording than about telling people not to volunteer in a time when millions of people desperately need help from volunteers, then our priorities are screwed up.
- x87678r 6y ago
  Good point on retirees, I'm sure there are lots of gaps like that out there.
bmarquez 6y ago
It's because of this unemployment that food banks have an increased need for volunteers. My local food bank certainly requests volunteers, and they're recommending that seniors or those with health conditions cancel their shifts...further reducing their volunteer pool.
- bilbo0s 6y ago
  I don't think it's the demand side that is the issue, it's more the supply side. A lot of people don't live a life where they can afford to spend a year volunteering. They need some kind of income. What happens when there are no stimulus checks and no increased access to unemployment? Or will they extend those programs so that they last another 12 months at least? We have to be cognizant of the fact that, by all indications, October will be a very stressful time for a lot of people.
gentryb 6y ago
Volunteering at our homeless shelter doing health assessments and triage was certainly much better than sitting at home watching TV and worrying more. Many of my prospects disappeared as COVID hit - and it made me feel some self worth trying to help others. I learned a ton too. When the volunteer work is truly doing something for the community, I find it more valuable than paid work (even barely scraping by) - just knowing that I did SOMETHING to attempt to help others. Just my 2 cents.

Volunteer - unemployment is the worst for decades. There are literally half the population not working right now with nothing to do, its the least useful time to volunteer. (OK maybe I'm wrong)

benburleson 6y ago

Just because (some) employers are able to pay as many employees (possibly zero) as before, doesn't mean there are no jobs to be done. With so many social issues currently highlighted, it seems like an excellent time to give some time.

kingkawn 6y ago

This is the most useful volunteering time because the social needs are everywhere

kerkeslager 6y ago

You are uninformed. Please delete your post and stop spreading harmful misinformation. 1. Just because people aren't working doesn't mean they are volunteering. In fact, there's an exodus of volunteers, because retirees, the group which historically is most likely to volunteer, are also the most likely to isolate because they're at high risk from coronavirus. This is causing a massive shift in the demographic of volunteers. It's unclear to me whether the number of volunteers is going up or down overall, but it is clear that some organizations are being left short-handed by the change. 2. Quantity of volunteers does not necessarily mean that there's a good match between volunteer skillsets and the skills needed. The massive shift in volunteer demographics means that certain roles which were previously filled by people with a lot of experience, are now empty, and an excess of young enthusiastic volunteers doesn't fix that problem. 3. Unemployment also drastically increases the need felt by many communities. I'm not sure whether the supply of volunteers is up or down, but the demand for volunteers is clearly increased. You don't have to trust me or x87678r: call your local charities and see if they need volunteers. I am confident you'll very quickly find that some do. EDIT: My post is strongly worded, but I don't apologize. x87678r's comment is far more offensive than anything I said. If HN is more worried about some strong wording than about telling people not to volunteer in a time when millions of people desperately need help from volunteers, then our priorities are screwed up.

x87678r 6y ago
Good point on retirees, I'm sure there are lots of gaps like that out there.

bmarquez 6y ago

It's because of this unemployment that food banks have an increased need for volunteers. My local food bank certainly requests volunteers, and they're recommending that seniors or those with health conditions cancel their shifts...further reducing their volunteer pool.

bilbo0s 6y ago
I don't think it's the demand side that is the issue, it's more the supply side. A lot of people don't live a life where they can afford to spend a year volunteering. They need some kind of income. What happens when there are no stimulus checks and no increased access to unemployment? Or will they extend those programs so that they last another 12 months at least? We have to be cognizant of the fact that, by all indications, October will be a very stressful time for a lot of people.

gentryb 6y ago

Volunteering at our homeless shelter doing health assessments and triage was certainly much better than sitting at home watching TV and worrying more. Many of my prospects disappeared as COVID hit - and it made me feel some self worth trying to help others. I learned a ton too. When the volunteer work is truly doing something for the community, I find it more valuable than paid work (even barely scraping by) - just knowing that I did SOMETHING to attempt to help others. Just my 2 cents.