Volunteer Outcomes and Impact: The Contributions and Consequences of Volunteering in 4-H

• Main Authors: Steven M. Worker, Dorina M. Espinoza, Car Mun Kok, Charles Go, JoLynn C. Miller
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University Library System, University of Pittsburgh 2020-07-01
• Series: Journal of Youth Development
• Subjects: youth development volunteer; volunteer outcomes; volunteer impact
• Online Access: http://jyd.pitt.edu/ojs/jyd/article/view/847

Youth development volunteers are relied upon by many youth organizations to deliver educational programming, and consequently, fulfill organizations’ missions. Our study explored the consequences of volunteering in youth services by focusing on volunteer outcomes (consequences of volunteering on the volunteer) and volunteer impacts (volunteers’ contributions to the organization). We collected 1,245 open-ended responses to 2 questions from adults who served as volunteers in the University of California 4-H Youth Development Program. We applied iterative inductive thematic analysis without a pre-existing coding scheme to each question independently. Volunteers described their impacts on 4-H as expanding and maintaining programs for children, providing support to and teaching youth, and helping to realize youth outcomes. By volunteering, adults reported outcomes including developing skills, improving well-being, and deepening connections with others.