Some southwestern Connecticut non-profit organizations say that they are seeing an increase in volunteers.

In tough economic times, the groups say unemployed people are volunteering at organizations in the field that they hope to eventually get paid to work in.

AmeriCares, an organization that provides international relief for people who are struggling or are victims of a natural disaster, has seen triple the amount of volunteer staff than usual in the past two months. The volunteers include college students looking for full-time positions.

"That's why I chose to volunteer, it was very challenging and self involved on a daily basis trying to find a job and I was so excited to find a great volunteer opportunity and start in the industry I want to go into," volunteer Brittany Szabo says.