Transformations by Olympic Angels
  • About Us
    • Our Mission
    • The Team
    • National Council
    • IMPACT >
      • 2022 IMPACT REPORT
      • 2022 MID-YEAR IMPACT REPORT
      • 2021 IMPACT REPORT
      • 2021 MID-YEAR IMPACT REPORT
      • 2020 IMPACT REPORT
  • Our Programs
    • Love Box >
      • Program
      • Apply to Volunteer
      • Love Box Admin Area
      • Family Referrals
    • Dare to Dream >
      • Program
      • Apply to Mentor
      • D2D Admin Area
      • Youth/Dare to Dream Referrals
    • Research & Outcomes
  • Get Involved
    • Love Box Program
    • Dare to Dream Program
    • Give >
      • Donate
      • Angel Alliance
      • START A FUNDRAISER
      • Employer Gift Matching
    • Partnerships >
      • Faith Partnerships
      • Other Partnerships
    • Love Shop
    • Email Newsletter
  • Locations
  • Events
    • Host An Event
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Give Now
  • Give Monthly
  • About Us
    • Our Mission
    • The Team
    • National Council
    • IMPACT >
      • 2022 IMPACT REPORT
      • 2022 MID-YEAR IMPACT REPORT
      • 2021 IMPACT REPORT
      • 2021 MID-YEAR IMPACT REPORT
      • 2020 IMPACT REPORT
  • Our Programs
    • Love Box >
      • Program
      • Apply to Volunteer
      • Love Box Admin Area
      • Family Referrals
    • Dare to Dream >
      • Program
      • Apply to Mentor
      • D2D Admin Area
      • Youth/Dare to Dream Referrals
    • Research & Outcomes
  • Get Involved
    • Love Box Program
    • Dare to Dream Program
    • Give >
      • Donate
      • Angel Alliance
      • START A FUNDRAISER
      • Employer Gift Matching
    • Partnerships >
      • Faith Partnerships
      • Other Partnerships
    • Love Shop
    • Email Newsletter
  • Locations
  • Events
    • Host An Event
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Give Now
  • Give Monthly

FOSTERING COMMUNITY BLOG

Why I volunteer

12/28/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture

thais Oliveira, on being in a love box:

Why do you volunteer?
"The experience is so gratifying. It sounds kind of self-centered, but takes a lot of anxiety out of what you see on social media and in the news. It's a way that I can make this world better - at least one life a little better. And we're helping our foster families impact so many more lives. It's gratifying, anxiety-reducing, it's hard - super painful and sad to watch sometimes, but I think my heart actually got bigger. We accept those families and children in foster for who they are, without judgment. It's been so nice to make my family bigger by volunteering."

What keeps you consistent?
"The kiddos, and the foster parents - they're superheroes! It's such a tremendous show of love to take in a kid in need or kids with trauma. And once you start that, you can't go back."

What made you to choose to involve your family in volunteering?
"I thought my son would really get along with the child I support. And he does - they have a great relationship. My son lives in a privileged bubble - I wanted him to know that things happen in the world, and not everyone is like that. And he was surprised that kids might not live with their parents. He's getting a view of the real world - as hurtful as it is. But he also got a friend. They play chess."

"It's such a simple thing in life to do - and you *CAN* do it. Just showing up makes such a difference."

What else do you take away from the experience?
"It has given me a lot of perspective, and has taught me so much about how to be a better parent. How to show up, and learn more about how trauma affects the brain and body. I sympathize with and better understand children who are having development and behavioral issues. 

I involved my child because I come from a super poor country and now I live in this beautiful bubble. And it's important for me that he sees otherness here. You don't have to travel to Brazil (where she grew up) to see struggle and poverty."

What do you want people in our community to know about kids in care?
"I want people in our community to know that kids in care are awesome - and they need love and attention.

When I started volunteering, I was shocked to learn that it's an issue here - that our little community has so many kids in need - of just a bed if they're suddenly displaced."

"And even with all the trauma they go through, they have a lack of connectedness that is so easy to fill. There are kids in our community that need you - even if it's just a couple hours a week. Anyone can volunteer and step in to give kids in care a sense of belonging and normalcy. You can do such little things - like making sure they have food when they're hungry, or knowing they can count on someone - and what that does for their brain, allows them to let their guard down some, and just be a kid."
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

    Author

    Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

    Archives

    December 2022
    October 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    December 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    March 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Stay Informed

Contact Us

Phone: 360-207-4661
info@olympicangels.org
PO Box 654
Port Townsend, WA 98368

Get Social


Copyright © 2021 National Angels. All rights reserved. Olympic Angels (EIN #84-4233503) is covered as an Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) organization as a subordinate under the group exemption of Transformations by Austin Angels (EIN #27-2087142). Documentation here.