Volunteerism Among Homeless Persons With Developmental Disabilities

Abstract

People with developmental disabilities have been historically excluded from mainstream society. Using the strength-based perspective, volunteerism was explored among homeless persons with self-reported developmental disabilities. It was hypothesized that volunteerism would be associated with indicators of healthy community integration. This would include volunteerism associated with unemployment due to disposable time and desire to gain job-related skills. Nearly half volunteered (n = 29), were older, visited friends or family monthly, and reported employment status that was associated with volunteerism. Logistic regression indicated that visiting with friends or family monthly increased volunteering, but unemployment decreased volunteering. Volunteerism might be a way “to give back” to agencies assisting them. Similarly, visiting family or friends suggests maintenance of social and community ties, suggesting healthy community integration.

KEYWORDS:

• developmental disabilities
• healthy community integration
• homelessness
• strength-based perspective
• volunteerism

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This project was completed while Larry G. Morton II was a doctoral student at the George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis. Funding was provided to Larry G. Morton II by the Center for the Study of Ethics and Human Values at Washington University in St. Louis and administrative assistance was provided by the Center for Mental Health Research at George Warren Brown School of Social Work.

Notes

∗p ≤ .05.

Note. N = 60. Pseudo R ² = .34.

∗p < .05.