by Lori Anne Henderson, Director of Well-Being at Sidley Austin LLP

Volunteering has been shown to decrease stress levels, depression, and anxiety and boost one’s overall health and satisfaction with life. So, it is no surprise that organizations who sponsor employee volunteer programs can realize immense benefits beyond making the world a better place. Improving employees’ holistic life and supporting a healthier and more productive work environment are incredibly valuable outcomes of these programs too. In my role as Director of Well-Being at global law firm Sidley, I think about this often.

Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, it is the perfect time to elevate this conversation. At Sidley, we offer a variety of programming and tools to help our people take a proactive approach to managing their mental health. One way we do that is by leaning into partnerships with organizations like StreetWise Partners.

As part of both our Well-Being and Corporate Social Responsibility Programs, our lawyers are regularly given opportunities to volunteer with Streetwise Partners on career mentoring initiatives, including providing job seekers with tips and strategies to help prepare them for upcoming interviews. It is always a rewarding experience for everyone involved.

One thing that we have learned is that well-being is very different for every individual, and it is multi-faceted. It is not a one-size-fits-all approach. But when we zoom out, we can see some common themes. For the StreetWise job seekers, being part of these workshops allows them to gain confidence and feel supported. For our lawyer volunteers, they can step away from work for an hour to give back, connect with colleagues, and be inspired by the StreetWise community. The sense of meaning and purpose that comes from volunteering with StreetWise is a significant contributor to well-being. We are proud to offer these opportunities not only in May, but year-round.

We are so grateful for Streetwise Partners and all our partner organizations who help us to find new and beneficial ways to uplift each other.