ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The relationships between poverty, empowerment, and health are of theoretical and practical interest to nurses, yet few researchers have examined volunteerism in poor communities from a holistic health perspective. PURPOSE: This study explores the experiences of women engaged in community volunteer work in the context of economic poverty. METHOD: Individual, in-depth interviews were conducted with 8 women, ages 21 to 77 years, who qualified for federal assistance or self-identified as low-income and were currently involved in volunteer community work. FINDINGS: Participants' stories of being involved and making a difference illustrated women making connections, developing relationships, gaining knowledge and skills, increasing self-esteem and confidence, reaching out to help others, and strengthening communities. CONCLUSION: At both the individual and community level, well-being was enhanced through women's community volunteerism in the context of economic poverty. IMPLICATIONS: At the individual and community levels, well-being was enhanced through women's community volunteerism in the context of economic poverty. From a holistic nursing perspective, the findings provide support for community volunteerism as a health-promoting strategy among women living in economic poverty.
