Voluntary work represents one of the foundations for NGO sustainability mainly for the maintenance and continuity of institutional projects. On the other hand, voluntary work has masked unemployment problems being considered a degradation factor in the labor market. In order to support the planning and evaluation for the work organization actions adopted by the institution, this study aims to understand the diversity of meanings presented in voluntary actions based on the implementation experience of receptiveness and volunteer's integration routines in an AIDS/NGO. Content analyses of interviews with 20 volunteer work candidates were carried out. Through this analysis, it was possible to characterize the worker´s profile as well as their conceptions and expectancies. In summary, volunteer work seemed to represent a resource to qualify for inclusion in the labor market and an important element of social identity formation and socialization of knowledge on HIV/AIDS.
voluntary workers; social identification; non-governmental organizations; altruism; work