Volunteer

The Council and PRO-ACT rely greatly on volunteers to help us meet our mission of providing resources and opportunities to reduce the impact of addiction, trauma, and other related health issues. Many of our services and events could not happen without them—for example, it took more than 400 volunteers to make the last Recovery Walk in Philadelphia the success we all experienced.

Many of our volunteers initially volunteer out of a desire to “give back” to a community that has helped or is helping them in some way. Many, however, have reported that in return for their time and talents they have received benefits that far exceeded their expectations or what they feel they contributed. And while most volunteers can name or put words to what they have gained through volunteering, others cannot. Recently, at that same Recovery Walk, one volunteer walking in The Honor Guard simply stood speechless with tears rising in his eyes when asked what it meant to him to have served on one of the organizing committees for the Walk.

Some of what people have said they enjoyed about volunteering for The Council and PRO-ACT has been that they:

• Felt needed and valued
• Made a difference in someone’s life
• Broadened their “clean” social contacts and met new people
• Learned new skills
• Increased their self-esteem and self-confidence
• Learned that they had skills they were unaware of
• Contributed to their own community
• Got purpose to their day, particularly for those who had lost jobs
• Received satisfaction from completing a task
• Felt a part of something larger than themselves
• Felt proud of their commitment
• Found a place to share their talents or skills

Therefore, instead of considering volunteering as something you might do for us, begin to think of it as an exchange. Peers helping peers is important in helping people sustain their own recovery. Do not feel, however, that you must be in recovery to volunteer for The Council or PRO-ACT. We have several volunteer coordinators who have lots of experience in matching people’s desires and skills with our needs. Please contact one of them listed here: