Aspects of motivation of a volunteer AIDS care team program

The South Carolina AIDS Care Team Program, directed by The Ecumenical AIDS Ministry, a component of the South Carolina Christian Action Council, provides emotional and supportive services to people living with HIV and AIDS. A sample of volunteer care team members participated in five focus groups as part of a process evaluation. Care teams were asked to participate based on years since training (new vs. experienced), race (white vs. African American), and location (urban vs. rural). Volunteers were motivated to become involved in a care team through previous contact with a person with AIDS, a general sense of altruism, and influences from their faith community. Due to the emotionally demanding nature of the work, motivation to remain a volunteer was also examined. It was discovered that a support system, the expression of faith, support of their faith community, and coping with the death of a care partner were essential elements for sustaining care team involvement. The implications of this study are useful to volunteer programs through faith communities to meet the growing need of people living with HIV and AIDS.