I just signed up to volunteer as an after-school tutor for a foster boy or girl. After a recent insightful orientation, I’m ready to go! They tell me I’ll hear from the volunteer coordinator in a week or so. Then I’ll find out where I’ll be and a bit about my student. I’m excited! Also, truth be told, a bit nervous. (Thank goodness for the Tutor Training Manual, which I’ll soon read cover to cover.)
I’ve always wanted to work with foster kids. No, that’s not quite right. I always wanted to take in a foster child and raise him/her alongside our three daughters. My husband didn’t want this. He said three is enough. He was right—we had our hands full! (Three girls, all having their period at the same time, bickering at dinner, arguing over TV shows and everything else under the sun. ☺)
Through the years my yearning for a foster child stayed with me. When a friend went to work for Treehouse, an organization serving kids in foster care, he invited me there for a tour. I fell in love with the organization and its goals (see www.treehouse4kids.org/whatwedo). For me, tutoring is a good way to fill my need to do something without taking on the full-time responsibility of raising another child.
Once I’m off and running, I’ll let you know how things go.
What about you? Do you volunteer, and where? I’d love to know.
Until next time and eagerly anticipating my new volunteer venture,
Ann Roth
www.annroth.net
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6 comments:
Ann, I have a friend who has taken in foster kids, even adopting four of them! She's an inspiration because the boys she gets aren't easy. (I'm understating the obvious.) As for volunteering, yes [sigh] I'm one of those. I'm learning to say no, but it's hard when I see some way to help out. From preschool committees, our hospitality club treasurer, county Home Extension officer, jumping in when our chapter calls (and when they don't!), I just can't seem to stop myself. At least I have a nice service award from my chapter and many wonderful friends and memories from all these experiences.
Ann, I do volunteer. I knit hats and mittens for our Headstart kids here in town. Each year we give Headstart 55 of each.
Last year I went to see the kids get theirs - and it was so awesome to watch them pick out which hat/mitten set they wanted. I was amazed at the fact that the one they picked for themselves was the perfect one!
I started volunteering in High School at the children's hospital we have in my city and spent summers doing that all through college. Unfortunately I had to give it up when I started teaching due to lack of time. I did volunteer for things at the school where I taught but now that I am retired I've kind of let volunteering go by the wayside. I keep thinking I need to start again but just don't seem to get anywhere with the thought.
Megan- You have my complete admiration. But you must put yourself first!! :-) LOL. Somehow we women have problems with that.
Sara- What you do sounds awesome. "Hats" off to you. ;-)
Ellen- Maybe it's time for you now. You gave a lot already. So relax without guilt.
Hi Ann! I can't wait to hear about your new student to tutor~I'm sure you'll be great!
I seem to volunteer in spurts. I volunteer at our church, and of course, at all the booster clubs my kids are involved in. On Saturday morning I was selling spirit wear for the athletic boosters.
It always feels good to do something for other people, I think.
thanks for making me smile today, what a nice topic.
shelley
Aw, Shelley. You're so sweet. And charming. ;-)
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