As a child, I always enjoyed helping others. When I joined the Girl Scouts as a Brownie, I regularly volunteered at soup kitchens, retirement homes, and eventually, Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Metro.
When I was younger, my 18-month-old cousin was admitted to the hospital with a brain tumor, and my aunt stayed at the Ronald McDonald House in New Hyde Park. After learning about the mission and experiencing the House as a family, my Girl Scout leader, Jovann Dixon introduced us to Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Metro. Our troop began volunteering regularly. Today, Jovann is the Director of Operations for RMHC New York Metro and helps families when their children are sick and need healthcare.
A summer in service.
Now, I am a high school teacher, but I will always be a Girl Scout at heart. I still have the same passion for helping others as I did when I was a child. When this summer came around, I asked Jovann about volunteer opportunities at RMHC New York Metro. I wanted to work with children and missed being in the classroom. Jovann mentioned that she wanted to start a summer program for the children staying at the Ronald McDonald House and needed a head counselor. I eagerly accepted the role, excited to experience a ‘Girl Scout Summer’ once again.
Friendship bracelets, sundaes, gardening & more.
As a counselor at RMHC, I had to transition from working with teens to working with small children, and I loved it. With Kids Club at RMHC, I loved being creative and playful—it was exactly what I needed to reconnect with my inner child. Kids Club was filled with activities like:
- Board games that taught strategy and social-emotional learning
- Friendship bracelets to help with dexterity and fine motor skills
- “No-bake” baking class where we learned about our five senses
- Outdoor gardening where we learned about how plants grow
- Arts & crafts to strengthen kids’ creativity and problem-solving skills
- Science experiments to help us understand the world around us
Sometimes I had a full group of six or seven kids at Kids Club and sometimes I had one or two. Regardless, the excitement in the room always made each session worthwhile. One of my favorite activities was our healthy banana split sundaes with the help of pastry chef, Angela. The sundaes were not only delicious, but also so fun to make!
Even as the counselor, I felt just as relaxed and “at home” as the kids. The Kids Club program offered a variety of relaxing and inspiring activities. The kids loved doing quiet coloring pages on a hot day. During the summer months, it’s common to see more siblings stay at the Ronald McDonald House while their brothers or sisters receive care at nearby hospitals.
Sending messages of love & healing.
We also introduced social-emotional learning by making cards for our loved ones. For children with siblings in the hospital, it’s common to experience big emotions like confusion, anger, frustration and sadness. I encouraged the kids to express those feelings and to also share their positive experiences at Ronald McDonald House. They created cards for their siblings and focused on the activities they enjoyed together, while still recognizing the challenges they faced.
Helping Ourselves by helping others.
Earlier this summer, my brother, Kahdeem, was bitten by a dog. Kahdeem was scared and in pain from the attack and I wanted to do something special for him. I shared his injury with the children at Kids Club and they responded immediately. The children made get well soon cards, which we combined into a larger card. When I brought it home, my brother and parents were so happy. They saw how much care and love went into the project. The Kids Club children could understand the impact of their time and how their care was helping someone else in need.
Overall, this was an amazing experience, and I hope Kids Club continues to grow. I created so many new friendships, memories, and experiences in just six weeks. To get involved at RMHC New York Metro, click here.