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Why Volunteering at a Young Age is Important by Peter Palivos | Jul 23, 2020 | charity, Peter Palivos, Philanthropy
Contrary to popular belief, volunteerism isn’t merely a sel ess act. People who choose to donate their time and talents also reap many rewards throughout the process of helping others. Youth volunteers, especially, bene t in ways that are very advantageous. Having a sense of empathy when looking at other people’s plight is enforced when working as a volunteer. It gives young people a chance to view life from a di erent lens than their own and put things in perspective. Part of learning about who you are is by seeing your place in the world and how you compare with others. By seeing the disadvantages around them, it also gives them a new-found appreciation for the things they do have. Along with empathy comes respect for their elders and other members of the family, and a less selfabsorbed outlook on life overall. The skills that are learned by contributing as a volunteer also help improve real-world life skills that will be needed throughout adulthood. Problem-solving, creative thinking, time management, and collaboration are all soft skills that are enforced by volunteerism. This not only helps with a person’s self-esteem when it comes time to apply for jobs, but it