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Celebrating the Impacts of Volunteerism 



In honor of National Volunteer Month in April, the latest engAGED blog post highlights ideas, activities and resources to inspire organizations’ work in commemorating National Volunteer Month while also promoting social connection. In addition to honoring the achievements of volunteers, this observance provides an opportunity to encourage others to volunteer and to highlight the benefits that volunteers as well as those they serve realize. Read the blog post for inspiration on ways to promote engagement through volunteerism in your community. This post also includes several volunteer toolkits to provide organizations with resources to support volunteer recruitment and retention as well as replication of volunteer programs.

Quantity vs Quality of Social Relationships

This cross-sectional study analyzed the effects of both the quality and quantity of relationships among older adults and their perceived loneliness. Findings suggest that though both factors play an important role, the quality and type of relationship had more of a significant effect on reported loneliness.

Social Engagement and Risk of Depression

A recent study found that there was an inverse association between participation in social activities and the risk of experiencing depression. This study examined over 9,000 older adults in China and indicated that those who had higher levels of engagement were associated with lower risk of depression onset and worsening depression symptoms.

The Beneficial Effects of Volunteering

This study looked at rates of loneliness among older adults that participated in volunteer work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Data was collected on participants at a baseline, six-month and 12-month checkpoint and found that volunteering successfully reduced loneliness among participants who felt lonely.

The Prevalence of Loneliness Worldwide

This systematic review of loneliness analyzed the variation of loneliness studies and rates across the globe. The study found that the variability in the prevalence of loneliness among older adults was based on several key factors, including variation in measurement tools, the method of data collection and by country of residence.

• A recent episode of NPR’s Here and Now Anytime featured Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, the engAGED Project Research Advisor. Dr. Holt-Lunstad discussed the health impacts of social disconnection and how to break the cycle of loneliness.
• Risa Wilkerson, Executive Director of Healthy Places by Design, highlighted
• the value of creating shared spaces that foster social connection and a sense of belonging on the Shared Space podcast.
• Jillian Racoosin, Executive Director of the Foundation for Social Connection, was interviewed on the Be The Connection podcast on the importance of building and maintaining strong communities that support social well-being.
• This webinar from Age Friendly Minnesota addressed how nature-based intergenerational programming can provide a range of physical, mental, social and educational benefits for participants.
• A recent webinar from Healthy Places by Design, Cultivating Community Hubs for Social Connection, highlighted how local organizations can create intergenerational and cross-neighborhood connection opportunities that reduce social isolation and increase a sense of wellbeing. 

• New Data Highlights Economic Benefits of Social Prescribing (Mass Cultural Council, February 24, 2025)
• How Social Connections Directly Impact Immune Function (Rolling Out, March 30, 2025)
• Ethical Considerations in the Use of Social Robots for Supporting Mental Health and Wellbeing in Older Adults in Long-Term Care (Frontiers, March 30, 2025)
• Is Senior Living The Antidote To Loneliness For Older Adults? (Forbes, March 31, 2025)
• The Power of Community: Aging Forward is on a Mission to Uplift Older Adults Across America (Reuters, April 2, 2025)
• How Latino Seniors are Beating Loneliness in Denver (Denverite, April 2, 2025)
• Senior Pets and Senior Humans Find ‘The Goodness of Reciprocal Love’ (CPR News, April 6, 2025)
• Editorial: International Perspectives on Older Adult Social Isolation and Loneliness (Frontiers, April 7, 2025)

• Generations United Webinar: Intergenerational Housing Learning Network + Global Intergenerational Week (April 30, 2025 at 3:30 PM ET)
• Healthy Places by Design Webinar: Bridging and Belonging to Strengthen Social Connections (May 28, 2025, 3:00–4:00 PM ET)
• USAging 50th Annual Conference and Tradeshow: Answers on Aging (July 20–23, 2025, Chicago, IL)
• Foundation for Social Connection Conference: 2025 Social Connection Conference (October 28–30, 2025, Atlanta, GA) 

This project #90EECC0002 is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $450,000 (or 74 percent) funded by ACL/HHS and $161,554 (or 26 percent) funded by non-government sources. The contents are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.