VOLUNTEER

“I volunteer with Communities In Schools of Mid-America because it allows me to be a part of my college town community and make a difference in the youth. My personal impact at Walnut Elementary School has been empowering young students to make a difference as a leader and role model in their life like others had done for me when I was younger. I keep going back to Walnut Elementary School as a volunteer because I was in most of these students' shoes so it allows me to be transparent with the students and empower them to choose more in their life when they ask about higher education, life, and recess. It really makes a difference in the long run and allows the student to look back and have a good memory of someone making a difference in their life at a young age. My favorite memory was my first day of lunch buddies. I remember walking in and my buddy was so excited to see me and he didn't even know who I was and he still was so excited with the biggest smile on his face!”

"I volunteer with CIS of Mid-America because every kid deserves to have someone in their life who believes in them and roots for them to reach their full potential. I keep coming back year after year, because having lunch with my lunch buddy is one of the best parts of my weeks. It is a nice break where I can laugh and have fun, forgetting about all the stress and responsibilities of college.”

“Volunteering with FutureNow:Finance is a learning experience for me - from the Child Care booth to Housing/Utilities to Entertainment. The students are always amazed how expensive everything is. Isn't that the truth!”

“I volunteer because I see a need! Many of our youth don’t get positive role modeling or attention at home, and are therefore hungry for positive adult interaction. These kids want to be noticed, and actually do want to learn. I enjoy just trying to make any of these kids feel special and cared for, and hopefully be a bright spot in their day. I have 2 of my own sons that attend CHS and I have become known as “Mama Stanley” to several of the other kids in the school. Over the past few years, I have made casual relationships with several of the kids through volunteering with various activities, sports, etc. I actually don’t know that I have made a huge impact as of yet, but hope to volunteer more and more over the next several years and make a greater impact. A love for the kids keeps me coming back. My favorite memory is probably working the Housing booth at the FutureNow: Finance event Sarah puts on each year. The kids love this event. They learn…and get to role-play… real-life finances and get to budget their money. Their eyes are opened to the expenses of life and how decisions affect these expenses. Many of the kids come away with renewed appreciation for their parents realizing how hard it is to have money at the end of the month. As a real estate agent, it’s great to work with them at the Housing booth teaching them about different housing options and how to help them make the best decision in their situation.”

"My work with Communities in Schools, in particular the Future Now: Finance program, has been a truly rewarding volunteer experience. Few things are more satisfying than being able to work with youth in the Topeka Public Schools and offering them insight into how planning and budgeting can lead to their future financial stability."

“I volunteer to be a mentor to younger kids as others have been mentors to me. Hopefully, I have been seen as someone that brought happiness and safety to Walnut the days I came in, my goal was to be a good role model and just be there for the kids. I go back because consistency is something everyone deserves, and I wanted to be that consistent figure in the school and in my lunch buddies lives. Every day hanging with my lunch buddies was my favorite experience.”