AMH2020 student
“We
need more kindness, more compassion, more joy, more laughter. I definitely want
to contribute to that.” - Ellen DeGeneres. Throughout the semester I did
multiple service projects besides the main one of veterans village. One of them
was being the official note taker for the 11:15 class period however to me that
wasn’t a service project I mean yes I was helping people but it did't take any
extra effort. I simply had someone copy the notes and bam I was done. So to me
it wasn't enough to see the direct effect it could have on someone so I decided
to find another thing to do to make a difference and man did I land the jackpot
of all service projects?
I found a group on FSU campus called hang tough. This
is a group for families in the Tallahassee area who have a child with a life
altered illness or disability. Families can use this as a support group to
connect with other parents going through similar situations they can also use
it as a fun activity for their kids and as a date night for the parents. I was
a volunteer at two events for this foundation during the fall semester the
first one was a Halloween event where the kids got to go “trick or treating”
and play fun spooky themed games while the parents got to meet with a social
working and have small in order to relate and talk about their daily lives.
The
other event I am doing is called Santa days this is their biggest event of the
year and how the whole program started. They rent out a church for Santa to go
to and sterilize the whole interior minimizing germs ensuring that kids with a
repressed immune system from treatment can have the experience of sitting on Santa’s
lap. Kids are given an appointment time to cut the waiting in line factor out
of the whole thing. Wanting to be an elementary school shows my passion for
kids I love kids with all of my being and to be able to help kids who’s lives
are effected by illness or life-altering conditions truly brightens my day.
Working with children is something that I value and that I have since I was a
young kid myself. These kids are stronger and face more challenges then I could
ever imagine. To be able to take their minds off the aches and pains even if it
just for 5 minutes is something that I cherish and can only imagine how much
joy it brings the kids to feel as though they are “normal”. To feel like you are accepted for who you are
and not have to be worried about what others may think of you or if the area
you are in is safe for you is something that these kids don’t get very often,
which us sad because I know for fact when I was little I took that as a
privilege. To give a safe haven for these kids means the world to them and me
but I feel like it means more to their parents. While this program was founded
on having fun social activities for kids it has grown into so much more. At
every event a social worker is brought in to talk to the parents and allow them
to have the open dialog needed when you are going through a hard time. These
parents have regular full time jobs but to care for a child with special needs
is a job all on its own.
To give parents a break knowing that their kids are
safe and ok is a gift that no monetary value would cover. More then anything to
see your child be filled with joy and happiness in their eyes is something
these parents live for. At more core it is made up of love this project let
that shine through more then any other project could possibly allow it to. To
give these kids love, hope and happiness shook me to my core and the time spent
with these kids is something I will always remember. Hearing the stories of the
kids affected by the illness or by the siblings who are they through it all
being supportive and taking the back seat some days are stories I will cherish
forever. While I plan to work with children in a school setting it most defiantly
made me curious into exploring the possibility of working in a hospital
setting. This project made me realize that I really do love working with kids
and that I am looking forward to helping children for the rest of my life.
