Volunteer Spotlight: Junior Volunteers

By Lev Norford

How exciting to talk to parents whose children are first-year Junior Volunteers at BRC, and to hear about the enthusiasm their son or daughter has for their experience with us. Even more rewarding is to hear from older students who are repeat participants as they share their stories of residents, rewarding moments, and what this program has meant in their lives.

Being a BRC Junior Volunteer is a real commitment. It means taking responsibility for being in place and on time and doing a job that is assigned to you. It means coming through for people who depend on you. You need to be aware of your actions and understand their impact on BRC residents and team members.

This summer, 29 young people made and fulfilled that commitment. They range in age from 12 to 16. The official program runs from June 11 through July 31, but many of the Junior Volunteers stay involved throughout the year, continuing to commit their time after school and on weekends.

“Junior Volunteers are a godsend,” says Faith Cayton, LPN in Restorative Care. “Without them, our summers would be impossible.”

Kolby and Kerrick Goodwyn enjoy taking residents for walks. Earl Roger enjoys joking with them. Cheyenne Burkholder, Hannah Landis, and Madison Critzer help clean and visit residents. Jack Whitley loves visits. Junior Volunteers also serve ice cream, fill ice pitchers, give manicures, and perform dozens of other small jobs that help residents and team members through the day.