In collaboration with the Horizons for Homeless Children, Crossroads runs “Playspace” 3 nights a week for all children living in the shelter. The following is our weekly schedule:
- Monday 7:00-8:00pm
- Wednesday 7:00pm-8:00pm
- Thursday 7:00pm-8:00pm
For more information on how you can volunteer to be a Playspace Activity Leader, please call 1-800-560-7702 or visit http://www.horizonsforhomelesschildren.org/How_To_Help_PAL_opportunities.asp
- Dottie Hunter – PAL (Playspace Activity Leader)
My name is Dottie Hunter and I’ve been volunteering at Crossroads every Wednesday night for almost two years. I was honored when Crossroads asked me to talk about my experience, especially since it has made a positive difference in my life. When I first started volunteering it was not what I expected at all, but now, I know it’s everything that I expected and needed, it just took me a little time to realize it. Like most new things in life there is a learning curve (with highs, lows, and challenges), an awakening, and then an understanding. I now understand.
Volunteering can be challenging, but it’s rewarding and it’s definitely worth doing. Children come from different backgrounds, different circumstances, and different ages, but they are not different in what they need, which is time to be children in a safe, fun, and learning environment, which they get every Wednesday night during Play Space. As volunteers, it’s our responsibility to find different ways to engage the children and make Play Space fun and also a learning time too. This can sometimes be challenging depending on the number of children, age ranges, and the type of day or week they are having. However, with the help of the other wonderful volunteers and the wonderful staff at Crossroads (who help out during Play Space) we make it happen. Some nights we consider more successful than others, but all nights are good nights.
One very important thing that I’ve learned is that over time the children begin to trust you, grow closer to you, feel more comfortable each week with you, and then they realize that you care about them. When this happens, you know that you have made a difference and it’s the most amazing and humbling feeling in the world. As much as volunteers make a difference in the lives of the children, the children also make a big difference in the lives of the volunteers.
Crossroads offers families a second chance and the staff works hard to make this happen. I am honored to be part of their program and I am honored to spend time with such wonderful, caring, and fun people. They make a difference in the lives of so many and I personally think it takes special people to do what they do. Thank you Crossroads!!
