Champions For Learning is proud of all of the students, teachers and volunteers who continue to be Champions for our community. During this time volunteers have adapted and continue to share their gift of time with our students, helping them to stay focused on their goals.
Volunteers have been active participants virtually in our weekly programming for our students. As you will see in these examples, our volunteers are modeling adaptability and versatility for our students.
Volunteer Frank Blod has traditionally led student workshops on building resumes; this spring the workshop will look a little different. Blod will be leading a virtual training workshop for 20+ volunteers who will learn how to provide feedback virtually to students on ways to enhance the initial draft of their resume. Going virtual has allowed more volunteers to be able to participate in the student resume workshop!
Another example of this is with volunteer, Jesse Roberts, M.D. who has led a workshop for our 8th – 12th grade students who are interested in Healthcare professions. Joining him was Todd Lyon, Director of Talent Management from NCH hospital. They shared the various career options available in healthcare and the different paths and degrees necessary to get there. More than 25 students participated in this session.
“it’s important to always remember gratitude. When you are a doctor, the person who cleans a patient’s room and gets it ready for the next person, it equally as critical to patient care, so you must always remember to say thank you,” said Roberts during his presentation.
Finally, volunteer Larry Kirschner was able to adapt a lab session originally intended for Seniors on Financial Literacy to become virtual. With this opportunity, both Seniors and Juniors from our program were able to join.
“When you are my age, I can assure you, you’ll look back at your 17-year-old self and you’ll either say I’m really glad I took the time to understand this, or you’ll kick yourself for having not thought about it enough. You are the ones who will benefit from understanding this, or pay the consequences for not,” said Kirschner during his presentation to students.
The students learned an introduction to interest rates, credit, and how to make wise financial decisions. Kirschner even developed an online soccer game to allow the students to answer quiz-style questions at the end of the presentation.
Although volunteers are not able to physically meet with students, our volunteers have been able to continue to support and engage students in our program by going virtual! We are so thankful for all of our volunteers.