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Volunteer Stories
Service works!
I worked with a young mother of a newborn, who had left a four-year
long abusive relationship. Leaving the relationship left her
homeless. As her case manager, I helped this |
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Click here to see our story in Windows Media format. |
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woman focus on
her goals and take steps to meet them. As I was preparing to finish
my volunteer year, she had been accepted into a transitional housing
program and was preparing to take the GED exam. This was an example of the kind of service that can be so
effective – giving resources to someone who really wants to use them.
-- Vanessa (University Of Virginia), Bon Secours Volunteer 1999-2000
Vanessa now lives and works in Richmond, Virginia
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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 (College of St. Benedict), Bon Secours Volunteer 2004-05.
Sarah is currently pursuing a PhD in counseling.
A time of gratitude
My first month as a Bon Secours volunteer has been one of gratitude. Every
day I encounter a new experience or situation, be it issues of
homelessness, eviction, substance use, or domestic violence. Just the
other week, an expectant mother came into the Center to talk to me about
her substance abuse problem. We were able to seek out a treatment program
for her, and she has come by a few times to keep in touch. She amazes me
with her recovery, and I am reminded of how helping can make a difference.
-- Alexis (College of Charleston), Bon Secours Volunteer 2000-01.
Alexis returned to school for a teaching degree and now teaches sixth
grade.
Easing patient’s nerves
Although I carried out fairly simple tasks such as checking on patients,
taking their vitals signs, and running EKGs or checking blood sugar
levels, my real job was to ease patient nerves. I would welcome them with
a friendly smile, joke with them and listen to the complaints they would
later reveal to their doctors. In just a few weeks, patients were familiar
with me and let me know that they appreciated my kind and helpful bedside
manner. It made for a better doctor’s visit, which often times dragged on
by long waits.
-- Kim (Washington University in St. Louis), Bon Secours Volunteer
2003-04.
Kim is now in medical school.
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 (University of Dayton), Bon Secours Volunteer 2004-05.
Emily now works and lives in New Jersey.
Our Alumni
Where are Bon Secours Alumni now?
Many Bon Secours volunteers go on to graduate school or work in nursing,
education, medicine, law, social work or ministry.
Former volunteers are scattered across the United States and even across
the world!
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