For Some, Volunteering Lessens Sting of Job Loss
February 25, 2009
Reuters reports on newly unemployed Americans who are volunteering for charity and service organizations.
The article acknowledges a lack of hard evidence that growing joblessness is increasing volunteerism but cites anecdotal evidence from individuals who are helping to build homes for the poor or acting as mentors for children.
Interest has spiked in service agencies, such as Projects Abroad, which sends volunteers to work in developing countries. January applications to Project Abroad were nearly 50 percent ahead of a year earlier. Founder Peter Stowe said a growing proportion of the new applicants are middle-aged and unemployed or underemployed.
