The year 2023 marks a significant celebration for the Portuguese Catholic University in Porto, commemorating two decades of commitment and service through CAtólica SOlidária (CASO). Under the theme "Innovating with purpose: volunteering in and with the community", the conference that closed the festivities brought to light the lasting impact of volunteering, emphasising that the positive effects last over time and remain "alive" in the various generations of CASO volunteers.
A comprehensive study carried out by the Catholic University's Faculty of Education and Psychology, entitled "Perceived impacts of the volunteering experience of UCP-Porto students and alumni", involved 272 participants, divided into student volunteers, recent alumni and experienced alumni, providing a multi-faceted look at the effects of volunteering over time. The findings revealed that volunteering at CASO had notable impacts on the personal, social and civic development of the participants.
The first group, made up of students who have been volunteering at CASO for one or more years, consider volunteering to be an enriching learning experience, capable of boosting personal empowerment and geared towards exercising active citizenship. For these altruistic young people, each voluntary action is more than an isolated act; it is a valuable lesson that transcends the confines of the classroom, contributing to their holistic development.
The second group, made up of recent alumni who graduated five years ago or less, see volunteering as a catalyst for developing interpersonal skills and solving practical problems. For these individuals, the CASO experience is not just an exercise in generosity, but a path in which collaboration, empathy and the ability to solve concrete challenges are valuable acquired skills for life.
Finally, the third group, made up of experienced alumni who have graduated more than six years ago, see volunteering as a rewarding and continuous experience throughout their lives. For them, the present impact of volunteering is not just a distant memory, but a constant force that continues to shape their present. The lasting effect of personal empowerment, acquired during years of volunteering, remains an integral part of their journey over time.
These distinct perspectives highlight the richness and depth of the volunteering experience at CASO, transcending generations and outlining a complete picture of how solidarity can be interpreted over time. Each group contributes to the unique history of CASO and volunteer engagement at UCP-Porto, creating a legacy that endures not only in academic records, but in the lives transformed by the selfless acts of each participant.
