Skip Franklin retired in 2013, at age 37. “My primary identity at this point is church and friends and family,” he said. “Well, I should say church and volunteer work. I don't feel adrift without a job.”
Despite the personal and economic toll of the LA fires, migrant workers have mobilized to help their communities.
Nearly 76 million Americans volunteered in 2023, up from about 60 million in 2021, a survey from AmeriCorps and the Census Bureau says.
A biennial survey out this week from Indiana University and Bank of America also finds that volunteering rebounded among the affluent.
When COVID hit, the volunteers on that many nonprofits depended upon disappeared.
The Biden administration has expanded the Special Immigrant Visa program to allow more Afghans who assisted the U.S. during the war to resettle here.
One study found the net benefit from a British health service volunteer program equated to a $627 million boost for the economy.
Even volunteer work has gone remote. That approach has made it easier for more people to join in.
Cities around the country have long had to worry about roads. Now, with the help of volunteers, they’re also investing more heavily in trails.
Communities benefit greatly from experience that retirees offer.
