Civic & Community Engagement

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Civic and Community Engagement » Spiritual Engagement

Why It's Important

Faith-based organizations are an important source of information for volunteers, and an important volunteer source for nonprofits. In addition, spiritual engagement is and will remain a Boomer priority. Spiritual engagement provides meaning and purpose. It gives individuals with similar belief systems the opportunity to relate and exchange within their chosen faith or belief. Positive health is associated with individuals of all ages who are engaged in their chosen religious or spiritual belief system. This is true for both physical and mental health and impacts longevity as well.

Participation in spiritual or religious organizations allows many seniors to remain spiritually connected and socially engaged. The expected increase in the aging population is going to place far higher demands on healthcare and social services in terms of cost and resources.

See Data By: Richmond MSA | Virginia | National

How Richmond Is Doing

Half of all volunteers (54%) report that one of the organizations or causes they are involved with is a religious organization. (ODP CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, 2009)
There is a disconnect between the use of faith-based organizations between nonprofit use of them as a communication channel and residents use of them as an information source. (ODP CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, 2009)
Two in five residents (44%) say it is very important to maintain spiritual engagement as they age. (ODP RESIDENT, 2008)

More than Half of Volunteers Do Work Through Religious Organizations, Richmond MSA
(ODP CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, 2009)