Hi Mona, if I'm reading it correctly you could do both right? Do the volunteering, see how that goes, then do the voc rehab in April? If so I think that's a good plan, see how the volunteering goes then if you're up for it do the voc rehab.

Volunteering is a great way to boost your self confidence and get you back out in to the world.

I have volunteered for an animal charity on and of for the last 2 years and it has been a great help to me and my depression also there are others in the store that have had similar problems so we support each other too.

Good luck and all the best

i agree with chelle. maybe do the volunteering while you're waiting to go back to school. it might help you not dwell on the upcoming semester, and volunteering is an awesome thing to do.

I agree with the others... I will pay you to do my taxes... Its the easy form... lol

I would suggest that you voluteer first before getting a job. That way you have some experiece I don't have a job right now so I voluteer a lot. Theres a a lot of diffrent places where you can voluteer just call around and see you needs help

I agree with all the others volunteering will build your confidence. Good luck

I'm glad you posted this. It is really inspirational to see other people volunteering, and one of my resolutions for 2012 is to find a worthy cause to volunteer for in the community on a regular basis. If you do decide to volunteer to help people with taxes, please let us know how it goes.

I think volunteering is a great idea before you can get back to working...it'll get ou back out into the world and you'll be helping others in the proces :) best wishes, and I hope you find something you can enjoy :)

do both. Volunteer .. then job rehab. You will get a lot out of both.

My wife was out of the job market for five years while our children were young. When they started to go to school she started volunteering at the Elementary School that they went to. After awhile it became clear that what she did for the most part was a job in and of itself. So they offered it to her. She was a paraprofessional in their Media Center / Library. She works at a different job now but is still working for the school board. She's been with them just over ten years now.

So volunteering before working can get you networked with prospective employers. Also the volunteering experience looks good on a resume. At least I think it does. It has certainly helped my wife. Also the people you work with while volunteering can make good future references. And those are always good to have. All the best to you. ((( Hugs )))

If you are finiancially able, I would try the voleenter first. They are easier to walk off of if need be and will not hurt your resume.

Wow, actually, I've never had a choice. I've just always toughed it out with a joblosing a job, getting a job, losing a job, getting a job....until I found the type of job that was low stress. This also helped my blood pressure. (High blood pressure and heart disease runs in my family.)

If you can afford to volunteer, I'd say give it a shot. But, try to stick through the hard times the best you can. The more we are exposed to the hard things, the easier they get. You just have to find your nitch, a routine.

Good Luck!