This phenomenological study investigates the religious and spiritual values of older African American women with an emphasis on how values motivate volunteering in the Black community. Research questions were posed to older African-American women through focus groups at community centers located in six neighborhoods. The responses to the research questions provide an understanding of the religious and spiritual values; indicate how values were learned, transmitted, and practiced within the context of volunteerism; and clarify what is helpful to motivate and maintain the practice of volunteering The descriptive voices of older African-American women are shown in the data analysis indicating major themes that emerged. Themes are interpreted using womanist theology and the Black helping tradition. These two paradigms provide lenses from which to view the intersection of race, gender, religiousness and spirituality, age, and class. Findings indicate religious and spiritual values motivate older African-American women to volunteer in order to strengthen their neighborhoods. Diverse value based volunteer activities that form a helping tradition are described and reflect practices that connect individuals, families, organizations, and neighborhoods. The limitations of the research and future research are discussed. Implications for the social work profession are presented with an emphasis on education, research, direct service, and policy practices
