Kathleen Groh calls herself a “heart hunter,” a matchmaker of sorts. As regional director of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps in the Twin Cities, she helps people find volunteer opportunities with local nonprofits that serve the poor and vulnerable.
Most of the volunteers are 50 or older, with many in their retirement years. Groh said volunteering is a great way to find meaning and purpose after a person’s career ends.
“For many, even when it is planned, retirement can be a shock to their identity that is wrapped up in their work and profession,” Groh explained. “The rhythm of fixed schedules and expected outcomes disappears and the transition can be difficult. In my lighter moments, I refer to IVC as a ‘redeemable retirement plan.’”
The “plan” at Ignatian Volunteer Corps is simple. People interested in volunteering meet with IVC staff, who try to match their interests and skills with a local nonprofit. They serve two days a week and gather once a month with other volunteers to exchange stories, develop friendships and deepen their faith as they learn and practice Ignatian spirituality.
“It is a win-win situation,” said Groh, a member of St. Jude of the Lake in Mahtomedi. “The IVC volunteer experiences making a difference and, in turn, they experience a difference in their life as well.”
There is an ever-expanding number of people entering their retirement years, as baby boomers continue to reach the age of 65. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 49.2 million people 65 and older in the U.S. in 2016, with an increasing number of women. Groh calls this demographic group “the healthiest and best educated cohort in American history.”
When it comes to figuring out what type of volunteer work to do, Groh has been asked whether people should pursue something related to their career field or try something new.
“I believe they should find something that lights their fire,” she said. “This may be in their field or they may want to try something completely different. I interviewed a teacher, and he said he would do anything but write another lesson plan.”
She also recommends planning before retirement to find volunteer opportunities. She acknowledged that “it is a unique challenge to discover where these years will lead them,” but said retirement years can be a “golden encore.
