South Florida ranks last nationwide in volunteering, mentoring.

The latest data confirm mentoring’s impact on keeping youth on a positive track — particularly during the pandemic — while it also brings significant value to the communities, corporations and people who engage in such programs. However, Miami and the state of Florida continue to rank dead last nationwide in engagement in mentoring and other volunteer activities. The math is simple: We need to step up our game and take better advantage of the opportunities available to ensure the brightest future for our youth and our community at large. As a region, we should look at these alarming numbers and work together toward a solution. The Corporation for National and Community Service ranks Florida as the lowest volunteer state in the nation, with 22.8% of residents volunteering statewide. The Miami/Fort Lauderdale area ranks even lower: 18.7% of residents volunteer, ranking them lowest among studied metropolitan areas.

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