Question

Explain the role of volunteerism in the evolution of social work and social welfare in the United States.

Answer 1

Volunteerism played a very important role in the evolution of social work and social welfare in the United States as for example since 1965, VISTA by engaged volunteers has tried to alleviate poverty in the United States and education is the Peace Corps' largest program area. A quantitative study of volunteer activities in 1973 done by the United Way of America found that; 2.4 billion volunteer person-hours per year. 80% of volunteer activities were in the provision of direct services. In 1988 80 million people volunteered a total of 14.9 billion hours, worth at least another $150 billion and contributions to voluntary organizations in the United States exceeded $100 billion. By l995, it was reported that more than a third of the U.S. population – 89 million people – were participating in volunteerism.