By Chinonso Maduforo

For many youth in today’s society, volunteering appears to be a high priority. However, research has shown that not many are turning their desire to help into action.

The University’s Do Good Institute, the first of its kind on a college campus, was established to impact students with initiatives that would encourage them to actively “do Good in their communities and around the world,” according to the institute.

Yet for many students, there is a disconnect between wanting to do something and how to do it. According to “Good Intentions, Gap in Action,” a report released by the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, volunteerism among high school and college students has significantly decreased. The report stated that only 28.5 percent of high school students and 26.1 percent of college students volunteered between 2013 and 2015, much lower than in 2002-2005, after 9/11.

In regard to why this happens, Robert Grimm, Director of the Do Good Institute at UMD, said in an article released by the institute that “Youth’s historically high interest in doing good will not automatically translate into action without the right opportunities. We need more, innovative educational experiences that offer youth the opportunity to make an impact today and spark a lifetime of community engagement.”

Some students agree. Emma Weiss, a sophomore plant biology major, said that service is the foundation for much of what she desires to do with her career.

However, she says, “I’ve found that around campus, I haven’t found a ton of service events that seem super applicable to” what she desires to do.

“A lot of service events aren’t as in my face as other events, so I don’t hear about them as often,” Weiss said.

There is definitely interest in volunteering, and some students have found opportunities to serve in a capacity related to their passions and career goals.

Lauren Alberg, a sophomore theater major, says, “A lot of what I do is bringing theater to people in the community who can’t really access it.” At her old theater company, they had “a lot of free performances so people that wouldn’t usually be able to afford a night of theater could experience theater.”

Lauralee An, a sophomore animal science major, can relate to finding volunteering opportunities outside of school. At home, she volunteers for a therapeutic riding program. This program gives mentally and physically disabled people “the opportunity to ride horses, which has been proven to help” with balance for the physically disabled, and in calming mentally disabled individuals.

However, An said, it’s often harder to find opportunities on campus.

“You definitely have to be in some kind of email chain or group if you wanted to find out,” An said. “You kind of have to seek it out yourself.” For her, “any volunteer offer has been through my college.”

Encouraging a “Do Good” community, the Do Good Institute has established classes on campus that promote social innovation and action. As for fresh ideas, Weiss says, “I think what might help is hosting events that a group of friends could show up and do” to reduce the awkwardness of showing up to events by yourself and not knowing anyone. “Or even doing a competition. For example, like picking up trash in a local neighborhood, and whichever team collects the most trash wins a prize or something like that.”

There is definitely hope for today’s youth when it comes to serving the community and world at large. It just requires a little more thought and a whole lot of elbow grease.

“The positive impact of participating in volunteering and high interest in community engagement by today’s young adults underscores the need to develop more quality opportunities throughout the country for this generation,” the report stated. “We should not miss the opportunity to translate this generation’s interest in engaging in their community into action.”