How long have you volunteered with Youth Villages? June, 2007
How often do you visit? Twice a month
Where do you volunteer? Dogwood Campus, Cottage 2 and Volunteer Venture, at the Bartlett Campus.
How did you hear about YV? I used to drive by it all the time on my way to work, didn't really know what it was so, I looked them up on the internet!! Sounded like a good place to volunteer and have been hooked ever since.
What keeps you coming back? Everything!!! This has to be one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. Nothing beats spending time with those who need it the most and to make a difference in their lives.
What types of activities do you do? Arts/crafts, games, but love taking them off campus to the zoo or the Pink Palace.
Do you volunteer at Special Events? If so, which ones, and for how long? Soup Sunday in 2008 and The St. Jude Marathon in 2007 and 2008 with the boys from the Poplar Group Home.
What have you learned? Wow!!! It's been quite a humbling experience. Just to see how you can build someone's trust again is amazing! I have seen some of these girls go from not saying one word, to talking my ear off each month.
How long have you volunteered with Youth Villages? 1 plus years
How often do you visit? 25 times per year (includes my time mentoring)
What keeps you coming back to volunteer with our children? The smiles and the fact that we can make a difference.
Where do you volunteer? Bartlett Campus, Cottage 5
How many members are in your volunteer group? 10
What types of activities does your group do? Usually we will interact with an active game and then cook Hamburgers/hot dogs afterward.
Are you a Mentor? Yes
What have you learned? I have been impressed with the professionalism of Y/V staff and have seen an improved difference in the youth over time.
What advice would you have for a new or prospective Youth Villages volunteer? Have Fun and be yourself!! Often times you will get more back spiritually than you give.
What do you do in your free time? "I run my own business. I enjoy cooking, woodworking and gardening."
How long have you volunteered with Youth Villages? 3 months as January 2009
How often do you visit? Twice a week
How did you hear about the volunteer program with YV? Hilda Arsenault, Spiritual Life Coordinator, spoke at our ministry retreat.
Where do you volunteer? I am at the new Girl’s Center
What types of activities do you like to do? On Saturdays we like to play group games with them and paint their fingernails.
Are you a Mentor? No, but I would like to be.
What have you learned through your volunteer work? How to be patient and pray more for the Lord's guidance on what to say and how to treat them.
What advice would you have for a new or prospective Youth Villages volunteer? Seek God for the best place to volunteer while there. Come with a heart ready to serve and love them unconditionally.
What do you do in your free time? Read, exercise, and watch movies.
How long have you volunteered with Youth Villages? 5 years
How often do you visit? Once a month, sometimes extra for special projects
What keeps you coming back? The personal satisfaction I get in seeing how much the boys enjoy what we do for them.
Where do you volunteer? Bartlett Campus, Cottage 5
How many members are in your volunteer group? 22 in the Club, but approx. 10 are actively involved on a regular basis.
What types of activities does your group do? We celebrate birthdays and plant a vegetable garden with them each year.
What advice would you have for a new or prospective Youth Villages volunteer? Be humble in your approach and always have a smile. Also show an interest in their stories and what they have been doing. Give encouragement!!
What do you do in your free time? Work as a substitute teacher in Shelby Cty. School System; volunteer work at a nursing home; monthly book club; family activities; usher at Orpheum Theater for Broadway Shows; movies and dinner with friends.
How long have you volunteered with Youth Villages? 18 months
How often do you visit? Quarterly
How did you hear about the volunteer program with YV? At a charity recognition event sponsored by Dell
What keeps you coming back to volunteer? The children we work with at YV are from our local neighborhoods. The giving opportunities seem more "real" because of the geographic location of the YV homes and the fact that the children are from areas where we work and live.
Where do you volunteer? Mainly at Tallwood, in Nashville.
How many members are in your volunteer group? 20
What types of activities does your group do? We have painted the entire inside of the home; built a small book, game, and video library; and most recently sponsored Christmas for the home including a Turkey and fixings dinner as well as gifts for all of the girls. We also sponsor several families with gifts for Christmas.
What have you learned through your volunteer work? The girls are very loving and appreciative. They have had more issues to deal with than most but are trying to overcome them. We are blessed working with the girls and have never had a negative experience with any of them.
What advice would you have for a new or prospective Youth Villages volunteer? What a way to give back and see the impact of your giving in your own community.
How often do you visit? Twice a month
How did you hear about YV? Word-of-mouth (classmates)
Where do you volunteer? Bartlett Cottage, Beck Hall & Volunteer Venture
What keeps you coming back? The children are so receptive to our visits! They really make you feel appreciated and it is tons of fun! Also, Youth Villages volunteer program is really well organized. Aaron and the staff are excellent at following-up with visits and helping us prepare for your activities.
How many members are in your volunteer group? 4
What types of activities does your group do? Depends on the weather. If it is nice, we have played games such as volleyball. We once did a "search and find" game out side where the girls broke up into teams and hunted for clues which led to more clues and eventually ending inside to a prize. When the weather is not pleasant we stay indoors. Inside activities include: playing board games, coloring, painting, and making Christmas cards.
What have you learned? I was intimidated at first with the idea of working with verbally or physically aggressive teenage girls. I quickly learned things are not always as they seem. The girls soon warmed up to us and have since been such a pleasure to work with! They had many things that we could relate with them about. I have also learned much about myself from working the residents. It is very fulfilling to give back to the community. There is a sense of pride that comes with having a successful volunteer activity that you planned. It is so rewarding to see the girls light up when you walk in the room and the enjoyment on their face when you are visiting!
How long have you volunteered with Youth Villages? August of 2008.
How often do you visit? Once a week
Where do you volunteer? Bartlett Campus, Cottage 1
How did you hear about the volunteer program with YV? YV is our neighbor. Our church is very near the Bartlett Campus. We have often talked about volunteering at YV.
What keeps you coming back? I enjoy teaching. Teaching is my gift and my calling. I especially enjoy working with children that most people label as "challenging." I connected with the YV boys on the first night.
How many members are in your volunteer group? Between 6 and 8 volunteers each week.
What types of activities does your group do? We have a bible based or character education story, craft or game, and we bring a snack bag for each boy each week. We also sing and sometimes even dance. Our boys also visited our Night in Bethlehem event at our church.
What have you learned through your volunteer work? I learn something new each time I work with the YV boys. I have learned that returning each week, calling the boys by name, and sharing kindness has built trust. I have learned to use teachable moments, to be flexible, and to enjoy the curiosity of the boys. They see, hear and absorb more than you think!
What advice would you have for a new or prospective Youth Villages volunteer? The YV staff is great. It is important to communicate with them about your plans and ideas. Be on time, be flexible, and volunteer consistently. The volunteer training you offer periodically is also helpful.
How long have you volunteered with Youth Villages? 3 years
How often do you visit? Once a month
How did you hear about the volunteer program with YV? Through my employer Lipscomb & Pitts Insurance.
Where do you volunteer? Dogwood Campus, Cottage 1
How many members are in your volunteer group? There are about 8-10 YV Committee members, but there are a lot of people in the office that also contribute, whether with time or money to help us do things with the girls.
What types of activities does your group do? Every month when we go out to cottage one we take a birthday cake to celebrate everyone that had a birthday that month as well as punch. Then after the cake and punch we either play a game usually Pictionary or do some type of craft. We have done everything from decorating flip flops to planting seeds in clay pots to grow plants. We also have a Field Day in May and do holiday activities with them as well.
What have you learned? The girls are very excited when we visit, there have been times that I wanted to quit the committee, but when I think of the girls I can't. They are very appreciative of everything we do for them. They are a great group of young ladies.
How long have you volunteered with Youth Villages? 10 years
How often do you visit? Twice a week
How did you hear about the volunteer program with YV? At the Youth Villages 5K
Where do you volunteer? Dogwood Campus and the Poplar Group Home
What keeps you coming back? I have always enjoyed working with kids and I feel that we all need to do what we can to make sure that these kids get every opportunity to become all that they can be.
How many members are in your volunteer group? 6 - 8
What types of activities does your group do? We do Runners Club and run with the kids on campus and take them to races off campus.
Do you volunteer at Special Events? If so, which ones. and for how long? The Youth Villages 5K - 10 years, Soup Sunday - 5 years
What have you learned through your volunteer work? They are kids just like any other kids and what they really want is someone to pay attention to them, encourage them and respect them.
What advice would you have for a new or prospective Youth Villages volunteer? Don't expect instant gratification. And be patient and consistent.
How long have you volunteered with Youth Villages? 3 years
How often do you visit? Once a week
How did you hear about the volunteer program with YV? At work (International Paper)
Where do you volunteer? Courtyard 4 at the Boy's Center
How many members are in your volunteer group? It varies, but there are 2 of us who are regulars
What types of activities does your group do? Mostly Bible Studies, but sometimes we watch a motivational movie.
What advice would you have for a new or prospective Youth Villages volunteer? Realize that what you do for others is more important than what you do for yourself.
What do you do in your free time? Spend time with my family
How long have you volunteered with Youth Villages? 2 years
How often do you visit? Once a month
How did you hear about the volunteer program with YV? Through FedEx
Where do you volunteer? Bartlett Campus, Cottage 1
How many members are in your volunteer group? 8
What types of activities does your group like to do with our residents? Crafts and games
Are you a Mentor? No, but in time I hope to be and to consider providing foster care in the future.
What have you learned through your volunteer work? To be thankful for the little things in life. Every visit is a complete joy and I look forward to it each month. Since I do not have children of my own - the boys and my Holiday Hero child are my kids.
What do you do in your free time? I sing in my church choir, study my Bible, and spend time with my family and 2 dogs and 2 cats.
How long have you volunteered with Youth Villages? 3 Years
What keeps you coming back? The blessing that I get from the girls who are so appreciative of our visits.
Where do you volunteer? Center for Girls, Bartlett Campus
What types of activities does your group like to do with our residents? We do crafts, spa days, movie and pizza, kickball, volleyball
What have you learned through your volunteer work? That there are real atrocities committed against children in our own backyard and these girls are survivors. The love I give, is given back in such large measure!
How long have you volunteered with Youth Villages? 18 months
How often do you visit? Chapel once a week, for a year we visited a cottage once a month.
How many members are in your volunteer group? 4
What keeps you coming back? This is right in my own back yard, almost literally. I don't have to look far to find an opportunity to help someone in my own community. I know the other ladies who come feel the same way. We have all prayed about ways to help others in our own city and this is one way. We care about the teens we work with and want them to know other people care about them and that God has a good plan for their lives. We enjoy working with Hilda Guinn Arsenault.
Where do you volunteer? Bartlett campus, we have worked with Paidia's Place chapel once a week, and with Beck Hall on a monthly basis (presently we are taking a break from that opportunity, finding new people to come once a month)
What have you learned through your volunteer work? Patience and commitment. And this may sound negative at first, but I actually mean it in a positive way! I have done work in jails and detention centers and been a pen pal with women in prison. I look at these girls and realize that some of them are in the same situations and have the same issues as the incarcerated women. But I look at these girls and realize that if they can develop a true love for themselves and others, if they can know that someone else really does care about them, that they can make good choices and find healthy ways to cope with difficult issues in their lives and find healing for their past hurts, then these girls will have a good chance of living a better life and NOT ending up in jail or prison, with God's help. We are, of course, not the ones doing all of this (in a few minutes a week!). We just realize that with the help of counselors and teachers and adults who care, these girls have a chance. It is a great opportunity to meet them and care about them, spend a little time with them, and pray for their future.
What advice would you have for a new or prospective Youth Villages volunteer? Be dependable. Be patient and calm. We have met kids who really "act up" the first time or two we see them, and a couple of weeks or months later, they are fun to be around and want to take part in the activities.
How long have you volunteered with Youth Villages? 2 years
How did you hear about the volunteer program with YV? I had been volunteering with YV through Hands on Memphis; I really liked the mission of YV and wanted to get more involved so I looked up YV on the internet to see about additional opportunities.
What types of activities does your group like to do with our residents? I participate in Volunteer Venture and Hands on Memphis Craft Night on the Bartlett Campus, and Hands on Memphis Birthday Heroes at the Dogwood Campus.
Do you volunteer at any of our Special Events? I have participated with Soup Sunday, Fishing Rodeo, and the YV 5K.
Are you a Mentor ? Yes, I began the mentor program about a year ago.
What advice would you have for a new or prospective Youth Villages volunteer? Be patient, be dependable, and just have fun! You will get so much more out of this experience than you ever thought possible. You will meet some pretty amazing kids, as well as some wonderful staff.
How long have you volunteered with Youth Villages? 1 year, 7 months
How often do you visit? Normally, I try to make it out 2 or 3 Saturday's per month.
What keeps you coming back to volunteer with our children? I wanted to find a way to give back. Spending several hours a month with the kids give me a sense of accomplishment that I could never get from anything else. The children are so appreciative and whatever our activity is for the day, it's always exciting.
What types of activities does your group like to do with our residents? During the hot and hazy days of summer we are outside playing kickball, dodgeball, and volleyball. On the slightly colder days we are inside playing board games or other activity that gives us the opportunity to learn more about children while they learn more us, the volunteers.
Are you a Mentor? Yes
What have you learned through your volunteer work? Take away their situations and circumstances, they are kids, just like my kids, your kids, and other kids you may know. I was listening to a child psychologist during the Christmas holiday expressing her views on how the economic crisis was having on families not able to afford Christmas gifts for their kids. In the end it is the memories that we give our kids that are more important than any game or toy. I am mentoring my second child now, and each time I go out to visit (without any gift, game or gadget) when they walk in a see me waiting, a HUGE smile erupts. They just want to know that someone cares.
What advice would you have for a new or prospective Youth Villages volunteer? Come out and join us!!! I promise you will enjoy working with the children.
How long have you volunteered with Youth Villages? 1 year
How often do you visit? Once a month
How did you hear about the volunteer program with YV? We contacted Youth Villages for a one time only FedEx volunteer event. We enjoyed the experience so much that we have adopted a cottage and come once a month to celebrate birthdays with the boys.
What keeps you coming back to volunteer with our children? Spending time interacting with the boys is such a reward for our team. They enjoy our visits and look forward to the next time we come to visit. We enjoy interacting with them and completing projects and learning activities. Their excitement keeps us coming back every month.
Where do you volunteer? Bartlett campus, Cottage 1
How many members are in your volunteer group? 6
What types of activities does your group like to do with our residents? We always have cupcakes! That is a must that they request! We also have an activity for each month. We have done everything from kickball to Pictionary. We try to choose a new activity for each month.
What have you learned through your volunteer work? Each child is precious and unique. I have learned how important an hour can be to a child. Dedication, consistency and keeping your word are so important to children.
What advice would you have for a new or prospective Youth Villages volunteer? This is a wonderful opportunity. It is an ideal community activity for a work group.
