High-5 for Kids Club!
Our volunteers are the heart of everything we do. Without them, our programs would not exist. We don’t simply say that to help our volunteers feel needed (even though they are!) – it’s completely true. Without our volunteers, we wouldn’t have enough adults to supervise, tutor, assist and love our students. We would be operating without a program or severely limiting the number of students we’re able to help.
We love hearing about Casa Chirilagua experiences and stories from the perspective of volunteers. Listen to one Kids Club volunteer’s story of how the opportunity to serve, has him thanking us.
“The pastor said a service group in the local area which our church supports is looking for volunteers to help with an after-school program for children of Latino descent. I thought, “Yeah right! I haven’t been able to learn the language and what do I know about working with children in an after-school program?” Notwithstanding, the Holy Spirit wouldn’t let go of my spirit.”
“Ok! What skills do I need?” is what I thought next. “Can I make and keep the commitment to show up?”
“The staff is there to provide oversight and support – the volunteer’s job is to be with the children…to pay attention to them…to provide learning support within our abilities. There is a very real need to show these young people that someone is interested in them. Most of the time we are just there. Sometimes we listen to them read. Sometimes we help them understand and complete homework. Sometimes we help the staff with their program in a specific segment. Anything I don’t know, the staff covers. That’s easy!”
“Then there are the children. Once in a while they may be a little frustrating, but more often they are warm and appreciative. And then there is that light that beams out of their eyes when they get something you are trying to explain and help them understand their homework.”
“The staff thanks me for the support I provide to them. I tell them I need to thank them for the opportunity to experience the warmth and love of these young ones, I have the privilege of getting to know.”
“What’s that old expression? Try it, you’ll like it!” – Leigh G.