My Support Forums - View Single Post - Can We Talk About This? (It's the Season)

*Beth* · Dec 16, 2022, 10:14 AM

I agree @MuseumGhost. Volunteering was something that was a given in my life from that time I was 14 and "had" to choose a volunteer position as a class project (my partner and I chose to volunteer in a convalescent hospital, as they were called back then, and wow, did we learn a lot about life from those old folks! To this day, I miss one lady, in particular). From then on I volunteered.

A few of my favorite vol positions were working Stand Down, a grass-roots event (sponsored by the Veteran's Administration) for Vietnam veterans, held on a huge parcel of land by the river. Every (legal) service imaginable was provided, from hair cuts to legal advice, housing help, counseling, employment, and so on. I loved just listening to the guy's stories, and they needed to be heard.

I adored the children I worked with when I volunteered to read to first-graders. We'd read a story, then do a craft project related to the story. They were so delighted with the opportunity, and behaved beautifully. My take-away adorable experience was, after reading a story, one little girl raised her hand and out of the blue, absolutely no relation to the story, inquired, "Mrs. _____, What kind of car does you husband drive?" Something was peculating in that child's beautiful little mind, to ask that question, and boy, did I have to bite my lip to keep from giggling when I answered that cutie's very serious inquiry.

The third incredibly rewarding vol position I held was working outreach with at-risk teens. A partner and I would go out on the street in the evening to places where it was known that homeless teens were living, prostituting, hanging out. We'd give them supplies (hygiene kits & condoms), a pack of syringes + little bleach containers/instructions on how to clean everything. We'd also offer them time at a shelter if they wanted a ride over. What a job that was! Talk about rewarding. I vol'd for a year and was completely surprised when my supervisor offered me a paid position. I accepted it and worked there for another year until my own kids needed me in their lives more.

So yes, volunteering can open up brand new and spectacular worlds for everyone involved.