Discussions

I think that people that are on social assistance should volunteer in the community. I am not complaining about people who need social assistance as I am one. I would like to see people who are on it to help and give back to your community that has helped you. I am on disability from a number of medical problems but even through my six illnesses prevent from working I still volunteer, as way to give back to my community. I help the Brandon humane society in the summer and do operation red nose in the winter. I do believe that if they volunteer it would not only make them happy but the community would be much better.

... but if they're able to volunteer, would they not be able to get a job and get off welfare, even if it just on a part time basis?

Would never be enough to live. By volunteering, you can pick and choose where and when to work depending on how you are feeling at the moment. Most employers would have a hard time employing someone who has to make their own hours, sometimes not working for months when your illness is at its worst. Good for you op for volunteering. It's good for your mental health.

should work for their welfare, too many think welfare is a lifetime career choice.  
 
That is great of you OP to want to volunteer!

there is a difference imo between disability assistance and income assistance  
 
people on disability may need the flexable schedual and low hour requirments that they can get through volenteering, and there is nothing wrong with that, if they can give a bit im sure it will help the community and give them some social interaction too  
 
people on income assistance shouldnt treat volunteering as a willy nilly thing that they can be flexible with, they can volunteer around job hunting tho and if they set a schedule and keep it and do good work at the place they volunteer at then they can also gain great references and skills they can use for their job search  
 
so in both cases i can see good in volunteering but both should treat it with respect

It is different when you volunteer than working, I cannot stand on my feet very long so when I need to go home or need a break for however long I can with volunteering, when it comes to working you can't just say I'm going home a few times as you would most likely be fired. I have a condition in my head which causes sever migraines, same thing as above. When you volunteer they are grateful for what you can do however small. I think if I can volunteer in my condition I know a lot of people who they have no health problems and are on assistance and they have never volunteered in their life.

Waitn' for the weekend said "It is different when you volunteer than working, I cannot stand on my feet very long so when I need to go home or need a break for however long I can with volunteering, when it comes to working you can't just say I'm going home a few times as you would most likely be fired. I have a condition in my head which causes sever migraines, same thing as above. When you volunteer they are grateful for what you can do however small. I think if I can volunteer in my condition I know a lot of people who they have no health problems and are on assistance and they have never volunteered in their life. "

I agree that health problems are different and as long as you are up front and the organization can accommodate you i see no issue with you having to leave or take a break due to medical issues but those able bodied on income assistance shouldn't treat a volunteer place any different then a work place, show when you are scheduled and stay your whole schedule and be up front about the hours and what you are willing to do, basically just because its volunteer doesn't mean people should treat it with less respect, be upfront, honest and act with dignity and hopefully it helps those able bodied on assistance get a hand up while they are helping their community too