Research articles, newsletters, bulletins, magazines, advocacy alerts, legislative summaries-they all come through the office where I work, keeping me abreast of all the latest developments in treatment, service delivery, consumer issues, legal and legislative issues, and more. Volunteering for NAMI or for any organization is a way to enrich one's recovery and obtain the dignity and self-respect associated with employment. As a volunteer, I found myself able to look people in the eye who would ask me if I were working or where I worked. Volunteer work is also an excellent way to begin exploring the transition back into the world of paid employment. The flexibility, freedom, and lower stress levels in volunteer employment render it an ideal way to experiment with forays into the world of the paycheck.
Volunteer work is an excellent way to learn and develop new skills and abilities.
Also, being a volunteer is an excellent way to network and make connections that can one day lead to paid employment. Becoming a volunteer was one of the most important decisions I ever made in my recovery. The skills and abilities I have gained have well equipped me for the world of paid employment. The respect and affection of my co-workers in the office where I volunteer has helped immeasurably in ending my sense of isolation. The self-confidence I have gained through interacting with diverse people in the workplace has strengthened my sense of self and my faith in my own ability to cope with others.