Community Service
Sunday Friends Website:
http://www.sundayfriends.org/
Organization/Volunteer Experience Interview
1.) How long has this program been established? Why was it created?
This program was created in 1997 by Janis Baron. She was a dedicated volunteer who started going to a family shelter every Sunday with her children. Baron started rewarding children stickers when they did something well, soon the stickers turned into tickets, and using these tickets they can buy things from the treasure chest. She thought doing this one Sunday every month for these less privileged children would allow them learn the sense of working and reward.
2.) What do the volunteers do? Are they important?
Most student volunteers help out by playing with these kids. They would make projects, write, read, cook, or anything that helps them learn something new. Adult volunteers may also do that, in addition, they help organizing the treasure chest. Volunteers are VERY important to the program. Without them, children wouldn’t be able to learn and earn tickets for the treasure chest.
3.) What is the main goal of this program? How does it help the community?
Sunday Friends is all about helping out these kids by rewarding them through learning. When volunteers give their time to teach children, they learn and grow, from what they’ve accomplished, they receive gifts as rewards. This program helps the community greatly just as a learning center and a great place for volunteers. As their motto is “The working alternative to charity”.
4.) What motivated you to be in this organization?
Monica started in this program just as a place to help out. She volunteers in many places and Sunday Friends have been one of her favorites. She liked the idea how these kids had to work to get their reward. She thought it teaches everyone a lesson, that nothing is free; you have to work for it. Monica has been coming to Sunday Friends for a while and has enjoyed it every time she comes.
5.) What is your favorite part of being in this program?
Monica’s favorite part of Sunday Friends is always when the treasure chest opens. She loves seeing the children rush to the tables to exchange for their reward. Another part of the day she loves is when the children are making arts and craft. Even though they may not look perfect all the time, they are arts made by their greatest effort.
6.) Why do you enjoy volunteering and helping the community?
Monica volunteers during her free time mainly just because she enjoys it. She likes how programs like Sunday Friends are helping the disadvantaged in the community. The amazing thing is that she is helping a great part of it just by going there every other week and spending time educating them. Every time she leaves, she gets this warm feeling in her that makes her realize what a great thing volunteering is.
http://www.sundayfriends.org/
Organization/Volunteer Experience Interview
1.) How long has this program been established? Why was it created?
This program was created in 1997 by Janis Baron. She was a dedicated volunteer who started going to a family shelter every Sunday with her children. Baron started rewarding children stickers when they did something well, soon the stickers turned into tickets, and using these tickets they can buy things from the treasure chest. She thought doing this one Sunday every month for these less privileged children would allow them learn the sense of working and reward.
2.) What do the volunteers do? Are they important?
Most student volunteers help out by playing with these kids. They would make projects, write, read, cook, or anything that helps them learn something new. Adult volunteers may also do that, in addition, they help organizing the treasure chest. Volunteers are VERY important to the program. Without them, children wouldn’t be able to learn and earn tickets for the treasure chest.
3.) What is the main goal of this program? How does it help the community?
Sunday Friends is all about helping out these kids by rewarding them through learning. When volunteers give their time to teach children, they learn and grow, from what they’ve accomplished, they receive gifts as rewards. This program helps the community greatly just as a learning center and a great place for volunteers. As their motto is “The working alternative to charity”.
4.) What motivated you to be in this organization?
Monica started in this program just as a place to help out. She volunteers in many places and Sunday Friends have been one of her favorites. She liked the idea how these kids had to work to get their reward. She thought it teaches everyone a lesson, that nothing is free; you have to work for it. Monica has been coming to Sunday Friends for a while and has enjoyed it every time she comes.
5.) What is your favorite part of being in this program?
Monica’s favorite part of Sunday Friends is always when the treasure chest opens. She loves seeing the children rush to the tables to exchange for their reward. Another part of the day she loves is when the children are making arts and craft. Even though they may not look perfect all the time, they are arts made by their greatest effort.
6.) Why do you enjoy volunteering and helping the community?
Monica volunteers during her free time mainly just because she enjoys it. She likes how programs like Sunday Friends are helping the disadvantaged in the community. The amazing thing is that she is helping a great part of it just by going there every other week and spending time educating them. Every time she leaves, she gets this warm feeling in her that makes her realize what a great thing volunteering is.
Community Service Reflection
On November 8th, I volunteered at an organization called Sunday Friends for 61/2 hours. During my time there, I’ve taught less privileged kids how to read and made art projects, learned how to manage a “store”, and realized why the community needed programs and volunteers for. Volunteering there was a great experience for me to recognize how many people in our community were in danger of needing help and support for a lifestyle.
Sunday Friends is a program for families with less income a chance to “buy” things from the treasure chest. Families earn tickets from activities and learning, and with these tickets, they can trade it in for goods donated by the community, or the treasure chest. As I stayed throughout the afternoon, I saw how these people rushed for even the simplest necessities. They were in desperate need of these donated supplies.
My job as a student volunteer was to teach underprivileged children to make arts and crafts. These included Hanukah cards, corn husks out of paper, paper chains, and many more decorations on the thank you packages for donators that make this organization possible. I also helped out as a cashier at the treasure chest. I thought it was a good simulation as what it would be like to work in a store; inviting in costumers, checking out their items, keeping track of how much things cost, subtracting tickets to give them change, and bagging their merchandises.
After the day was over, I felt like I did something great and helped out many lives. Even though all I did was to play and work with them, it made a big difference to them. They try to learn their best just to get that those tickets trading it for an old used jacket. I felt like I made a difference in their lives, but on the other hand, I also felt bad for how these people had to live. I realized how fortunate I am to live in Saratoga with my family and friends who support me to get an education and provide food and shelter for me everyday. The feeling I get for helping other people who needed these support was amazing, now I understand why so many people in the world volunteers. In the future, I would also like to volunteer again.
On November 8th, I volunteered at an organization called Sunday Friends for 61/2 hours. During my time there, I’ve taught less privileged kids how to read and made art projects, learned how to manage a “store”, and realized why the community needed programs and volunteers for. Volunteering there was a great experience for me to recognize how many people in our community were in danger of needing help and support for a lifestyle.
Sunday Friends is a program for families with less income a chance to “buy” things from the treasure chest. Families earn tickets from activities and learning, and with these tickets, they can trade it in for goods donated by the community, or the treasure chest. As I stayed throughout the afternoon, I saw how these people rushed for even the simplest necessities. They were in desperate need of these donated supplies.
My job as a student volunteer was to teach underprivileged children to make arts and crafts. These included Hanukah cards, corn husks out of paper, paper chains, and many more decorations on the thank you packages for donators that make this organization possible. I also helped out as a cashier at the treasure chest. I thought it was a good simulation as what it would be like to work in a store; inviting in costumers, checking out their items, keeping track of how much things cost, subtracting tickets to give them change, and bagging their merchandises.
After the day was over, I felt like I did something great and helped out many lives. Even though all I did was to play and work with them, it made a big difference to them. They try to learn their best just to get that those tickets trading it for an old used jacket. I felt like I made a difference in their lives, but on the other hand, I also felt bad for how these people had to live. I realized how fortunate I am to live in Saratoga with my family and friends who support me to get an education and provide food and shelter for me everyday. The feeling I get for helping other people who needed these support was amazing, now I understand why so many people in the world volunteers. In the future, I would also like to volunteer again.