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Growing number of unemployed volunteering to aid nonprofits

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Photo by Bill Olmsted

Volunteer Sandy Schomber, right, and Love INC Executive Director Raejene Schlenke discuss a client’s needs at the nonprofit’s Janesville office. Many nonprofit organizations are seeing an influx of volunteers, an increase they attribute to the rising unemployment rate.

JANESVILLE — Sandy Schomber answered the phone at Love INC.

"Thanks for calling Love In the Name of Christ. Is this in regards to services?" she asked.

Referring to the resource manual on her desk, Schomber worked through a series of questions as she helped the caller. She updated the caller about a prior transportation request, and she learned that the person needed clothes.

"Anything else you need?" asked Schomber, who volunteers two mornings a week at the organization that coordinates the time and resources of church volunteers to address the needs of people in the community.

Schomber, 59, of Beloit managed five departments of a local discount store before losing her job in February. After sitting home for a few months and feeling sorry for herself, she decided to volunteer at her son's suggestion.

Since May, Love INC and its clients have benefited from Schomber's 21 years of experience working with the public.

"As a manager, I was always trying to solve problems," Schomber said.

She is intake volunteer at Love INC.

"I see what their needs are, take down personal information and verify and then look at our resources to see what matches their needs," she said.

Schomber is among five of Love INC's more than two-dozen volunteers who have recently become unemployed.

"We wouldn't have these volunteers if it weren't for them being unemployed," said Raejene Schlenke, executive director.

With unemployment rates above 15 percent in Beloit and more than 13 percent in Janesville, local nonprofits are getting more volunteers.

The upswing hasn't been huge, but the number is up, said Julie Cunningham, coordinator of United Way of North Rock County's Volunteer Network.

"A lot of them are unemployed and want to have something to fill their time," Cunningham said.

The Rock County Job Center also has told Cunningham that counselors there are recommending that the unemployed volunteer.

Besides giving people a good reason to get up in the morning, volunteering enhances a resume, Cunningham said.

"It lets potential employers know you haven't been sitting around, that you've been out being productive and might put you that step in front of someone else," she said.

Volunteering also can help a person hone old and new skills, Cunningham said.

Another benefit of volunteering is networking, Cunningham said.

"Volunteering is a great way to meet people, get your name out there and let people know you're a caring person who is interested in the welfare of the community," she said.

Vivian Palombi, who is in charge of community referrals and is office manager at the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program of Rock County, agreed: "We're more than happy to provide references with a volunteer, and I'm sure the agencies they volunteer for would be just as willing, too."

Volunteering also can boost a person's self-worth, Palombi said.

That's true, Schomber said.

"Staying at home only would have led to depression and self-pity. Volunteering gives me a purpose," she said. "It's gratifying knowing you're helping really hurting people".