15 May Playing with Purpose: A Story of Meaningful Service

Playing with Purpose: A Story of Meaningful Service

Today we are interviewing Nicole, a Child Life student, about her volunteer experience at Children’s Country Home.

Nicole found CCH when searching online for a way to meet field work requirements for a school course. Her personal motivation for volunteering here, was to work with medically complex children outside of the hospital setting. When she came across Children’s Country Home, she felt an instant connection and fit. Nicole’s primary role at CCH was to play with the children and provide individualized activity. She spent 45 minutes to an hour with each child. Their activities together were selected based on the child’s developmental levels and their preferences. She found it fulfilling to connect one-on-one with the kids and watch them grow and develop over her time there.

Consider volunteering at Children’s Country Home. Please visit our Get Involved Page. We welcome you to reach out to Jill, our Program Services Director for more information.

A Volunteer’s Voice: Nicole shares reflections, celebrations and encouragement

What memories from this experience will you cherish?

Nicole: “The kids. Some of them took a while to warm up to a new face. After a couple weeks though, I mean, I barely got my foot in the door and some would instantly be like, “It’s my turn to play. Come play with me.” They’re all just so sweet and unique and I really loved spending time and getting to know each of them.”

Can you share a memorable connection you made at CCH?

Nicole: “Christian. He was pretty skeptical of me at first. His body language when I first came up to him to play was very much refined. He didn’t do a ton the first couple of times. I just let him show me what he wanted to do, what he felt comfortable playing with. We spoke his unspoken language for a little while. It was probably around the third week in, I got there, and he was jumping up and down and clapping with a huge smile on his face. That day he was climbing in my lap and wanting to play all the toys, dance, chat, in his way of vocalizing, and interact. His body language communicated, “I recognize you as a safe human now.” From there on out our bond just got stronger and he was always so excited to play.”

What do you want others to know about Children’s Country Home?

Nicole: “I think others should know that the staff and the team who work at CCH are exceptional humans. The level of pure joy and care that they have for the kids was quite impressive to me. I really appreciated their ability to think through each kid and their needs and their uniqueness. It showed in the way that they gave care, and how they spoke and interacted with the kids.

I really enjoyed witnessing that the kiddos have a really good quality of life there. It’s a home. The environment makes it a home with their room set up and the decorations. It feels very cozy and very home-like. I thought was wonderful.”

What is next for you?

Nicole: “So, I am graduating with my undergraduate degree in Child Life and Health from Eastern Washington University this spring. This is my last quarter. Woo-hoo. I am so excited. *laughter*. I just found out last week that I’ve been accepted into the graduate program for the same field, Child Life and Health, at Eastern. My plan is to take the summer off and spend time with my kids, and then in the fall I will be starting the graduate program.”

Is there anything else that you like to share?

Nicole: “I think that Children’s Country Home is a wonderful place to volunteer or even work someday. The atmosphere is positive and happy.”

Thank you!

We would like to thank Nicole, and all our wonderful volunteers, for bringing newness, energy and compassion to Children’s Country Home. Every ounce of generosity multiplies, and we are so thankful for yours

There are many ways to show generosity and every way is meaningful. Our next event is right around the corner! We are looking forward to the opportunity to connect with all our friends and supporters. Please join us! Raise a Glass for Kids – A Wine Tasting for Children’s Country Home on Sunday, May 21, 2023, 6:00 p.m.– 7:30 p.m. at Covington Cellars