Testimonials

Note from one of our LINKS Volunteers

Last year I found myself with some free time on Tuesdays and decided to find a volunteer job that allowed me to help others and give something back to the community.  Having spent countless hours in my own children’s classrooms throughout the years, the LINKS program sounded promising.  In reality, the program turned out to be far more than simply “promising”!  I’ve found the time I spend volunteering to be a total delight; Tuesday quickly become my favorite day of the week!!! 

Certainly working in the LINKS program allows me to “help others and give back” to the community as I’d hoped. Many of the children I come into contact with have special needs and individual issues to which are hugely to time consuming for the classroom teacher to deal with.  It feels good to be available to help the classroom teacher out here and there; by providing extra time to students lacking in a particular skill, or by answering questions and reiterating directions – or maybe by just buttoning up jackets on a cold day before recess!  Few parents are able to volunteer at this school - and the teachers are most grateful for any additional help they receive. I thoroughly enjoy watching students progress from week to week.  Beyond that I feel my time is valued, well used and appreciated by the administration.

But I never imagined that in the end it would be I who benefited most from the program!!  My hours were chosen by me, so they are perfect and work beautifully into my schedule.  I adore the time I spend in Mrs. Locke’s Kindergarten classroom; the excitement and energy of her students is completely contagious; I never fail to leave without a huge smile!  I would most definitely encourage any one with a little time on their hands to consider volunteering in the wonderful LINKS program!