Last week I watched a recording of a keynote speech by the late Susan J. Ellis, volunteer advocate extraordinaire, pulled from the Susan J. Ellis Foundation’s archives.

It was recorded in 1992. It blew my mind how insightful her comments around volunteerism and volunteers were and how completely relevant they still are.

Out of the large number of ideas and suggestions she touched on, one especially stood out for me, as I’d never heard it discussed before. That was the benefits for non-custodial parents of volunteering with their kids.

It's always a benefit when families volunteer together. For non-custodial parents, though, time spent with their kids is extra precious. Every visit, every conversation and every shared experience matters. While visits tend to revolve around fun outings, there’s one activity that can strengthen bonds in a much more powerful way—volunteering together. Giving back as a team creates lasting memories, teaches important values, and strengthens relationships.

Quality time with purpose

Non-custodial parents face the challenge of making limited time count. Volunteering together shifts the focus from simply “doing stuff” to making a difference. It provides a shared goal and a sense of........

© Castanet