Show Notes
Want to hear some encouraging news that's emerging from communities across America? After years of declining volunteer participation—a trend that accelerated during the pandemic—researchers are documenting what they're calling a "volunteer rebound." The numbers are striking. Nearly 30 percent of Americans formally volunteered from 2022 to 2023, contributing almost 5 billion hours of service. That's a return to pre-pandemic levels, and in some places, volunteer participation is reaching heights we haven't seen in years. But this isn't just about getting back to where we were. Something deeper is happening. We're seeing new forms of volunteering emerge—virtual opportunities that make service accessible to people who couldn't participate before. We're witnessing dramatic growth in some locations, like one Salvation Army center that saw a 162 percent increase in volunteers across three years. And perhaps most meaningfully, we're seeing more people who once received help returning to serve others. To help us understand what's driving this volunteer rebound and what it means for communities across the West, I'm joined by two guests today: Hillary Jackson is the Managing Editor for Caring Magazine, and recently reported on this trend, and Adriana Thiele is the Director of Volunteers and Community Engagement for The Salvation Army in San Diego. We'll explore not just the numbers behind this rebound, but the stories—how volunteering is becoming a pathway to healing, how people are finding new ways to serve and how communities are becoming more resilient as a result. We'll also look at some innovative approaches, from disaster response training to virtual volunteering opportunities that are expanding who can participate in meaningful service. Whether you're already volunteering, thinking about getting involved, or simply curious about this trend that's quietly on the rise, this episode will give you insight into how people just like you are choosing to be part of extraordinary change.
EPISODE SHOWNOTES: Read more. BE AFFIRMED. Get the Good Words email series. JOIN THE HOPEFULS. Get inside the group. WHAT'S YOUR CAUSE? Take our quiz. BE INSPIRED. Follow us on Instagram. DO GOOD. Give to The Salvation Army.
More from At the Frontier
The best ideas often begin with a conversation. At the Frontier is a podcast bringing you into conversations with people thinking, serving, building and asking what comes next for the mission of The Salvation Army.
What if joy isn't just something you feel—but something you do? In this episode, you'll hear from volunteers across The Salvation Army who are showing up in simple, powerful ways—distributing food, helping families in crisis and offering presence when it matters most. Their stories reveal that joy often shows up when we do. If you've ever wondered where to start—or if what you have to offer is enough—this is your invitation. EPISODE SHOWNOTES: Read more. BE AFFIRMED. Get the Good Words email series. FIND YOUR STORY. Get the email course. WHAT'S YOUR CAUSE? Take our quiz. BE INSPIRED. Follow us on Instagram. DO GOOD. Give to The Salvation Army.
Lately, we've been exploring a simple but powerful idea: Joy is meant to be shared. We've heard how stories shape us. How stability restores dignity. How gifts, when given away, multiply. And again and again, we've seen the same pattern: Someone receives help. Hope takes root. And that hope begins to ripple outward. To close this season, we're turning to two recent stories from Caring Magazine—stories that show how that ripple effect is unfolding right now across The Salvation Army's Western Territory. These stories remind us: Joy doesn't always arrive loudly. Sometimes it looks like steady progress. A safe place to sleep. A mentor who checks in. A class that builds confidence. A plan for tomorrow. This is what sharing the joy looks like. Not just inspiration—but transformation. Not just relief—but renewal. Not just help—but the kind of support that makes paying it forward possible. EPISODE SHOWNOTES: Read more. BE AFFIRMED. Get the Good Words email series. FIND YOUR STORY. Get the email course. WHAT'S YOUR CAUSE? Take our quiz. BE INSPIRED. Follow us on Instagram. DO GOOD. Give to The Salvation Army.
Are you loved—or just tolerated? In this episode, Pastor Timothy Jones explores the question at the heart of his book "Fully Beloved": Am I loved? In a culture shaped by comparison, loneliness and performance, many of us quietly strive to prove we're enough. Pastor Jones invites us to discover a deeper freedom—rooted not in achievement, but in grace. Together, we explore how the Trinity reveals a relational God, why insecurity about love fuels exhaustion, and what begins to change when we truly believe we are fully beloved. If you've been feeling worn out from striving, this episode is a reminder: You are loved. Listen now and step into the freedom of grace. EPISODE SHOWNOTES: Read more. BE AFFIRMED. Get the Good Words email series. FIND YOUR STORY. Get the email course. WHAT'S YOUR CAUSE? Take our quiz. BE INSPIRED. Follow us on Instagram. DO GOOD. Give to The Salvation Army.
What does it mean to grow up receiving help—and then spend your life giving it? In this episode, Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang shares her story as the daughter of Hmong refugees who once stood in line at The Salvation Army for Christmas gifts, winter coats and a safe place to belong. Mai reflects on how those early experiences shaped her understanding of community, compassion and leadership—and how receiving hospitality planted a lifelong commitment to serve others. From being the oldest of 16 children to serving her city today, Mai's story is a powerful reminder that when families are supported, joy doesn't stop there. It grows. Discover how belonging becomes the foundation for leadership—and how sharing joy builds stronger communities. EPISODE SHOWNOTES: Read more. BE AFFIRMED. Get the Good Words email series. FIND YOUR STORY. Get the email course. WHAT'S YOUR CAUSE? Take our quiz. BE INSPIRED. Follow us on Instagram. DO GOOD. Give to The Salvation Army.