A recent article by Soren Kaplan, published on July 4, 2026, highlights something many of us in the nonprofit and volunteer world already sense: Americans still want to serve. They want to help. They want to be part of something meaningful.
But too often, they do not know where to begin.
The article points to new efforts by Points of Light to strengthen volunteerism across the country, including a national strategy to double U.S. volunteerism by 2035. That is an ambitious and important goal. But one of the most important takeaways is this: the volunteer gap is not simply a people problem. It is an infrastructure problem.
In other words, the issue is not that people do not care.
The issue is that too many people who care are never successfully connected to the places where their presence could make a difference.
Good Intentions Are Not Enough
According to the article, nearly 70 percent of Americans say lack of time is a barrier to volunteering. Many also cite unpredictable schedules. Others are unsure how to find the right opportunity. And perhaps most striking, many hesitate because they are not sure they will feel welcome or that they will belong.
That matters deeply.
At the National Association of Long-Term Care Volunteers, we believe the country does not have a shortage of compassion. It has a shortage of clear, welcoming, well-supported pathways that help people turn compassion into action.
This is especially true in long-term care communities.
Across the United States, hundreds of thousands of people living in long-term care communities receive few, if any, personal visits. Many have outlived friends. Some family members live far away. Others have become disconnected from the neighborhoods, faith communities, clubs, and social circles that once gave rhythm and meaning to their lives.
Loneliness in long-term care is not only about being physically alone. It is about feeling forgotten.
A trained companion volunteer can help change that.
One Hour Can Matter
One of the most common reasons people do not volunteer is that they believe they do not have enough time. But companion volunteering begins with a simple idea:
One hour can matter.
One visit can matter.
One relationship can matter.
A companion volunteer does not need to run a program, lead an activity, or have all the right words. The role is not to entertain. The role is to be present.
To listen.
To notice.
To return.
To build trust over time.
For someone living in a long-term care community, a regular visit can become something to look forward to. It can restore a sense of connection. It can remind a person that they still matter, that their stories still matter, and that they are still part of the human community.
But for that to happen, volunteers need more than good intentions. They need preparation. They need support. They need to feel welcomed by the community they are entering.
Volunteers Need Belonging, Too
One of the most important points in the article is that potential volunteers often hesitate because they are not sure they will feel welcome. Some people stop volunteering when they do not feel they belong.
That is a critical lesson for long-term care communities.
Volunteer programs should not simply ask, “How do we recruit more volunteers?”
They should also ask:
How do we welcome volunteers?
How do we prepare them?
How do we help them feel confident?
How do we support them after they begin?
How do we help them understand the deeper purpose of their role?
When volunteers feel uncertain, unsupported, or disconnected, they are less likely to continue. But when they are trained, welcomed, and connected to a meaningful purpose, they are more likely to stay.
That is why NALTCV focuses not only on recruiting volunteers, but also on preparing volunteers and supporting the people who manage them.
Building Volunteer Infrastructure for Long-Term Care
The article describes volunteerism as a form of infrastructure. That is exactly the way we should think about companion volunteering in long-term care.
Infrastructure is what makes something possible. Roads make travel possible. Bridges make connection possible. Systems make action possible.
Volunteer infrastructure does the same thing.
It includes training, screening, matching, orientation, communication, follow-up, and ongoing support. It includes helping volunteers understand the people they are visiting and helping long-term care communities create environments where volunteers feel welcome and valued.
Without that infrastructure, people who want to help may never take the first step.
With that infrastructure, good intentions can become meaningful relationships.
This is where NALTCV has an important role to play.
We help create a pathway for people who want to volunteer but may not know how to begin. We help long-term care communities strengthen their volunteer programs. And we help make companion volunteering more intentional, more person-centered, and more sustainable.
A Moment of Opportunity
The renewed national attention on volunteering comes at an important time.
Americans are searching for connection. Communities are searching for trust. Employers are searching for meaningful ways to engage their people. Long-term care communities are searching for ways to reduce isolation and improve quality of life.
Companion volunteering sits at the intersection of all of these needs.
It gives volunteers a way to contribute.
It gives residents a relationship that can bring comfort, joy, and meaning.
It gives long-term care communities another way to strengthen their culture of care.
And it gives our larger society a practical way to rebuild connection, one relationship at a time.
The Question Before Us
If nearly 70 percent of Americans want to volunteer but do not, we should not assume they are indifferent.
We should ask what is getting in the way.
Maybe they need a clearer invitation.
Maybe they need a more flexible opportunity.
Maybe they need to know they will be welcomed.
Maybe they need training that helps them feel ready.
Maybe they need someone to say: You do not have to do everything. Just begin with one hour.
At NALTCV, we believe companion volunteering can become one of the most meaningful and accessible ways for people to serve. But it will not happen by accident. It requires communities, volunteers, families, organizations, and supporters working together to build the pathway.
America does not lack people who care.
Now we must make it easier for them to show up.
And for someone living in a long-term care community, that visit may mean more than we can imagine.
Take the Next Step
Whether you want to volunteer, strengthen a volunteer program, or lead a more connected long-term care community, there is a place for you in this work.
If you are interested in becoming a companion volunteer:
Start with one hour. Your presence, your listening, and your willingness to show up can help someone feel remembered, valued, and connected. NALTCV’s volunteer training will help you feel prepared and confident before you begin. Start here…
If you manage volunteers in a long-term care community:
You do not have to build your volunteer program alone. NALTCV provides training, tools, and support to help you recruit, welcome, prepare, and retain companion volunteers who can form meaningful relationships with the people in your community. Explore our resources here…
If you are part of the leadership team of a long-term care organization:
Companion volunteering is more than a nice addition. It is part of a stronger culture of care. Investing in a well-supported volunteer program can help address loneliness, strengthen community life, and demonstrate your commitment to person-centered care. Learn more here…
Together, we can make it easier for people who care to show up — and easier for people living in long-term care communities to know they have not been forgotten.
