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Motivations of Ethnie Minorities who Volunteer in Programs that Target Under-Served Youth

Abstract Children from ethnic minorities constitute a large percentage of those participating in programs targeted toward under-served youth populations. The incorporation of volunteers from ethnic minorities in these programs is an important strategy both to increase cultural sensitivity throughout the programs and to set up role models in leadership positions. However, recruiting and retaining volunteers from ethnic minorities to participate in leadership roles has historically been a challenge. Although there appear to be intuitive reasons for this lack of involvement, no empirical evidence has been uncovered for effective strategies for increasing involvement. In addition, current recruitment efforts to secure volunteers from ethnic minority groups tend to avoid an examination of the motivations for volunteering. The purpose of this study was to explore the motivations of persons from ethnic minorities for volunteering in programs targeted toward under-served youth populations. Qualitative information was gathered about the motivations for volunteering. Information was collected from professionals who serve youth populations or persons who advocate for ethnic minority groups through seven distinct focus groups. Through this focus group study, a foundation was developed to advance a set of recruitment and retention strategies for volunteers. In addition, data were gathered that can assist professional staff in designing, implementing and evaluating their volunteer programs. The initiation of this project has spawned numerous local efforts to investigate motivations related to agencies that will be working with volunteers from ethnically diverse backgrounds.