"What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?" George Eliot
I had the opportunity to volunteer in my High School's winterization from freshman year to senior year. We assisted in the winter preparation of Greenwood's elder citizens as we raked their leaves, cleaned their gutters, trimmed their bushes, and other house maintance duties that will aid them before the first snow.
The Beech Grove church held a soup kitchen for the needy weeks before Christmas. During this time, they also offered many winter clothes for the family and toys for the children alongside warm, fresh meals for the family to enjoy a holiday meal.
During the first week of college, The Bonner's scholarship group assisted in packaging and organizing over a hundred meals for students and staff with food insecurities.
The motor activity clinic is one of many opportunities the School of Health and Human Science has to offer. I had the chance to work with amazing undergraduate and graduate students within the same major as I assisted them with their clients. Volunteering during the fall season opened me to the possibility of also focusing on a specialty working with pediatrics. I was able to work with amazing staff, clients, and parental figures as we moved towards one goal: the rehabilitation and safety of the kids. This program, despite being only a volunteer, highlighted my love for the wellness of others as I was able to work with many spirited children who pushed themselves in every session to improve on their mobility skills.
The opportunity to volunteer at the Westminster Neighborhood Services Center located in Downtown Indy was a wonderful opportunity to immerse myself with the residents of my city. As a member of the Bonner Scholars program, we were able to prepare their building for future summer sessions as they welcomed more children from the neighborhood. The values of Westminster aligned with mine as I was able to have a peek into their purpose of their programs. Many families struggle to provide childcare for their children while they work and it can be difficult to find a shelter that will mentally, emotionally, and physically support their children throughout life transitions. I plan to continue to work with Westminster throughout my college career to continuously learn about the lives of those who help run our city.
The Riley Volunteer program allows individuals from different backgrounds to serve one purpose: support the children and families of Riley Hospital. Many families walk through the doors of Riley in a frazzled state of mind as their children face certain battles they are unable to control. The role of hundreds of Riley Volunteers is to provide support and extra assistance to the healthcare workers and families in order to ensure a safe, positive experience. I aim to support as many families as I am able as I have experienced what it is like to spend weeks in the hospital with my family facing the unknowns. No impact will ever be too small when it can have the ability to create the biggest change during the hardest trials.