“I have learned way more from the children than I ever expected and I owe them and their parents so much for everything they have given me.”
I have enjoyed immensely the privilege of getting to know both the parents and their children. The kids have moved me more than I can say with their curiosity, intelligence, affection, and trust. I have learned way more from them than I ever expected and I owe them and their parents so much for everything they have given me.
One experience I will definitely carry with me is the relationship I developed with one of my kids, Valerie. When she first came to the Center I was really tickled to find thatValerie, at 1 yr 4months, could sing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” along with me. Although Valerie babbled, she could not fully articulate words. I began teaching her the “ThreeLittle Ducks” song. Adorably, Valerie picked up the words and hand motions so quickly that when she saw me coming would use her hand to demonstrate a duck quacking.
It was so neat to see her learn something concrete and to know that I had been a part of it.
~ Stephanie, graduate of University of Notre Dame, BSVM 2007-08. After serving at the BonSecours Family Support Center, Stephanie began graduate school at Rutgers University where she is pursuing a Masters in English.
“Despite all of the obstacles in his life, I was thoroughly impressed by his optimism.”
My most memorable patient, and the one experience I will take with me long after my volunteer year is over, was a man who was homeless. With no medical assistance or health insurance and suffering from uncontrollable diabetes leading to health and vision problems, this patient was in rough shape.
Despite all of the obstacles in his life, I was thoroughly impressed by his optimism. Over the next six months, I assisted him with filling out paperwork to better his situation ─ everything from housing application forms to food stamps to medical assistance. As time passed, his wound healed and his confidence grew.
Last week, he visited me in the physical therapy department. He came not as a patient, but as a man who wanted to thank me for all of the help I had given him. He gave me the best hug I had ever received and thanked me for saving his live. It is a moment that I will never forget.
~ Brittany, graduate of the College of St. Benedict, BSVM volunteer 2006-07. After serving in the Physical Therapy department at Bon Secours Hospital,
Brittany began medical school.
Individual Attention Made the Difference
One of the girls at the school where I taught was having a lot of difficulty with anger and staying on task at school. Many days she would have outbursts which affected her schoolwork and the other students. As a staff, we decided that I would meet with this student every day to go over any work or things she was having trouble with. The progress was often slow but eventually we saw a different side to this student – a child who finally was able to show emotion and take pride in her schoolwork.
~ Sarah, graduate of the College of St. Benedict, BSVM volunteer 2004-05. After volunteering at the Sisters Academy of Baltimore, Sarah began a doctoral program in Psychology.
Lending an Ear
During my volunteer year I got to know a family from the neighborhood pretty well because one of the sons was in my after-school program. His mother was chronically ill, and he had several siblings. Throughout the year, I tried to make sure they were stocked with sufficient food, and I tried to help when they were given an eviction notice. One daughter planned to return to school as a result of our conversations.
~ Emily, graduate of the University of Dayton, BSVM volunteer 2004-05. As a Bon Secours Volunteer, Emily served at an after school program.
She now lives and works in New Jersey.
I have enjoyed immensely the privilege of getting to know both the parents and their children. The kids have moved me more than I can say with their curiosity, intelligence, affection, and trust. I have learned way more from them than I ever expected and I owe them and their parents so much for everything they have given me.
Row Your Boat” along with me. Although Valerie babbled, she could not fully articulate words. I began teaching her the “ThreeLittle Ducks” song. Adorably, Valerie picked up the words and hand motions so quickly that when she saw me coming would use her hand to demonstrate a duck quacking. 
