August 4, 2022
For much of our lives, we have been juggling multiple priorities, career and family, and we may have felt that there was not much time left for anything else. A lifestyle that moves at a breakneck speed can become very stressful. During moments of quiet reflection, we may have struggled to find ways to slow it down and use our skills and knowledge to make a difference in the world, to feel a sense of accomplishment from what we choose to do with our time. Now, in retirement, we can take on a new sense of purpose.
Volunteer Roles
We have many opportunities to volunteer. Some involve local or national nonprofit organizations and charities, and others are informal and intuitive, like helping a neighbor or family friend. The efforts of one volunteer can have a significant impact on the quality of life of those around them. Here are a few examples of prevalent volunteer opportunities:
- Become an advocate
- Organize lectures
- Speak at conferences
- Mentor young entrepreneurs
- Run social activities
- Tutor students of any age
- Teach illiterate adults to read
- Serve as a role model, mentor, and friend to a child with exceptional needs
- Provide companionship and care to someone less fortunate
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Looking for a volunteer opportunity? Retired Brains can help you find volunteer opportunities near you.
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Benefits for the Volunteer
While volunteering is a great way to help others, it is also a great way to help ourselves. It is not easy to accept a life of relaxing luxury after spending decades building a career. Many of us feel a sense of loss and wish to have just a taste of that life back – for people to depend on us to make things happen, to be recognized for our leadership, and to contribute our expertise to resolve complex problems.
We can channel the same determination and commitment that we once put into our careers into helping others in a context that uses the expertise and knowledge we have spent our lives accumulating. Retirement is not the end; it is the beginning of a new adventure.
Experts Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., and Lawrence Robinson list 4 ways that volunteering helps you feel healthier and happier:
- Volunteering connects you to others
- Volunteering is good for your mind and body
- Volunteering can advance your career
- Volunteering brings fun and fulfillment to your life
Volunteerism at The Admiral at the Lake
A stellar example of how the actions of a determined individual can change the world is demonstrated by numerous residents at The Admiral at the Lake. Just a few of the most recent examples include building a partnership with the University of Chicago to offer classes at the community, creating exciting fitness programs that motivate residents to get moving, and contributing to an article that provides practical advice about how to plan for long-term care.
Respect for individual contributions is one of the core values of this vibrant, urban, upscale retirement community on the shore of Lake Michigan. If you suspect that the residents at The Admiral at the Lake are a lot like you, come take a look. You can schedule a tour by calling 773.433.1801 or contacting us online.