The present study assessed the effects of a companion program on college student volunteers and mental patients. Overall, the effects of companionship were negative for students and patients, while questionnaire responses indicated positive feelings toward the overall program. Because of this discrepancy, caution should be exercised in introducing…

An ongoing debate exists on the issue of volunteering and its political implications in West Germany. Critics of the social welfare system have a direct impact on volunteerism. The ruling coalition aims to limit public spending in the social services sector while the "grassroots" movement emphasizes the danger of state-provided services…

The American Field Service (AFS) has 3,500 volunteers throughout Australia. Local chapters recruit potential host families and participants. Host families are recruited actively and selectively while volunteers are recruited largely through AFS presentations at schools, through friends, and by returning volunteers. Due to a high level of demand…

Volunteerism in Jamaica refers to voluntary work through organized public bodies and operates at two levels: (1) organized and formal; (2) non-organized and informal. The first group is made up of organized interest groups or community based groups, while those groups attract greater numbers of volunteers, they also have a higher turnover. The…

Voluntary organizations have filled the gap to provide social and community services in Ecuador in areas where government or profit-making agencies were absent. There was a proliferation of activities for the poorest sector of society in response to government neglect. Activities focused on economic and social progress through community…