Submitted by Debby Felske, Oakridge Woodview
Ensuring people have the opportunities to engage with their communities and express their interests and passion is a core component of home and community-based services. For many of the people receiving such support, it’s important to them not only be active, but to give back to the communities in which they live.
Since 2001, Oakridge Woodview has made this a priority of our scope of support for the people we serve. It began by sitting down with each individual, looking at their interests and organizations they were already a part of, and developing ideas of how they could make a difference by volunteering just one hour during the coming year.
In that first year, 45 began volunteering, giving 1,197 hours back to their communities. In 2017, that number has grown to 107 people volunteering their time, 3,144 hours of time to be exact.
Every person able to give back
Everyone can get involved, at some level, if they have the opportunity to do something they are passionate about and enjoy. For example, some people who have a hard time leaving their home have made pet toys and pet treats to donate to the local animal shelters. We support several people who cut coupons and donate them to the Women’s auxiliary of the American Legion, which in turn mails the coupons overseas to the service men and their families. Others donate time at animal shelters, nursing homes, and the local soup kitchen.
Many people ring the Salvation Army bell, including one gentleman who puts on his Santa suit and brings along Christmas music. This year he rang for 21 hours between Thanksgiving and Christmas in his community.
Each February, Oakridge holds a Volunteer Celebration where we recognize each volunteer for all they have done. We have songs about volunteering, books, poems readings. We try to invite one or two speakers from the places people volunteer to thank them for volunteering and let them know how important they are. In addition, three ladies we support have received the Women of Today Volunteer Award, given to a person with disabilities who is an outstanding volunteer in their community.
Direct support staff play significant role
It’s also important to recognize our direct support staff who play a significant role in helping the people we serve make these meaningful volunteer contributions. Most individuals utilize a staff person to support them while they volunteer. It’s a critical part of their jobs and something incorporated into weekly schedules as much as possible. Moreover, each April staff meet with every person Oakridge supports if there is something else their staff can do to support them in developing relationships and giving back to the communities in which they are so fortunate to live in.
Recognizing tremendous service
Oakridge is proud to support people with such an amazing spirit of service. We are pleased to recognize their more than 3,100 hundred volunteer hours in 2017 this Volunteer Recognition Month, and excited to work with people to expand upon the opportunities and ideas for volunteering to meet all the needs of the people we serve.
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