Expanding the Concept of Women's Work: Volunteer Work in the Context of Poverty

Abstract

ABSTRACT This qualitative study explored the community volunteer experiences of women living in the context of poverty. A feminist narrative perspective informed the interpretation of the data. The narrative themes identified and discussed were: volunteer work in the context of poverty; the invisible work of discovery and figuring things out; and the community work of mobilizing, organizing, and connecting with others. The findings demonstrate the positive impact of volunteer work on individual women, their families, and communities and contribute to the expansion of the conceptualization of women's work. Implications for public policies and organizational practices related to poverty, work, and volunteerism are discussed.