Essay: Reflection on Well-being and Volunteer Work in AmeriCorps VISTA

This essay provides a reflection on the concept of well-being, primarily focusing on the positive impacts of volunteer work, particularly through the AmeriCorps VISTA program, which aims to eradicate poverty. The author commends the organization's mission to serve those in need without discrimination, highlighting the benefits of volunteer work, such as providing bonding, support, and improving social skills, emotional stability, and self-esteem. The essay references Seligman's elements of well-being and discusses how volunteerism contributes to positive emotions, engagement, and a sense of accomplishment. It also mentions the potential for volunteers to gain valuable life skills and experiences, and the blessings and wishes that come with helping others. The essay uses references from various sources to support its arguments.

Running head: REFLETION ON WELL BEING
Reflection on Well Being
Name of Student:
Name of University:
Author’s Note:

1REFLECTION ON WELL BEING
The presentation discusses about Vista which is basically a national service program
which is aims to eradicate poverty. The job of this organisation is praiseworthy as they work for
those people who are in need and their services cater to all needy individuals without
differentiating among them on the basis of their backgrounds. Such noble missions are extremely
praiseworthy as they serve the community and they make a difference of the society. Voluntary
services are often not provided even if individuals or organisations have capabilities of
supporting those in dire need. In this connection it can be stated clearly that the passion and the
desire of the organisation to work for the needy is commendable.
The major focus of the organisation is the Anti-poverty focus. Poverty is something
which can happen in any individual’s life due to loss of one’s job or any other relationship issue
so it is nothing to look down upon. At times of poverty if people are provided sufficient amount
of help they can utilize their abilities or expertise to eradicate the situations of joblessness or non
availability of their income. The empowerment activities which they conduct assist the low
income community residents to inherent all the strengths and get back to normal (Corporation for
National and Community Service, 2017).
Volunteer work has several benefits namely that of providing bonding, support and
removing any sort of loneliness from those individual’s lives. The socializing powers of the
individuals are increased and this helps understand different types of individuals better.
Volunteer work also helps the individuals develop emotional stability, improve their self esteem,
assists those who have been affected by mental illnesses and also helps in health improvements
(Watson, 2017). The positive emotion, the engagement, the relationship, meaning and
accomplishments are all derived from volunteer work. These are the aspects to any function of
volunteerism, with respect to the development of the individuals. Positive emotions come from

2REFLECTION ON WELL BEING
variety of reasons and volunteerism is one of the activities which help individuals to be happy
(Seligman, 2011).
Volunteering work or helping people in times of need is a way of giving back to the
society. It helps in gaining valuable life skills and experiences which might be implemented
later. In certain cases educational institutions also provide academic credit to the individuals who
participate as volunteers. The job of helping others or pertaining to the people in times of need is
something which receives a lot of blessings and wishes of the people.

3REFLECTION ON WELL BEING
References:
Corporation for National and Community Service. (2017). AmeriCorps Programs.
https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/americorps-programs
Corporation for National and Community Service. (2017). Three Ways to Serve. [online]
https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/americorpsvista/three-ways-serve
Corporation for National and Community Service. (2017). What is AmeriCorps?.
https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/join-americorps/what-americorps
Helliwell, J. F. (2004). Well-being and social capital: does suicide pose a puzzle? (No. w10896).
National Bureau of Economic Research.
Seligman, M. (2011). The Elements of Well-Being. In Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding
of Happiness and Well-Being. pp.16-21.
Watson, S. (2017). Volunteering may be good for body and mind - Harvard Health Blog.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/volunteering-may-be-good-for-body-and-mind-
201306266428
Wichita State University Center(2017). Is Americorps Vista is right for me.
http://webs.wichita.edu/depttools/depttoolsmemberfiles/ccsr/AmericorpsVISTA/
Introduction%20and%20Is%20VISTA%20Right%20for%20Me.pdf