News and notes from Imagine! and the Imagine! Foundation.
Tess Volunteers at Imagine!
Apr-19-2022
Services
One of the joys of a meaningful community is getting to see friends and family grow and achieve great things. Tess is 21 years old, lives in Longmont, and has done just that in the Imagine! community. From first attending School Age Services as a grade schooler to being one of the oldest participants in the room, we have been privileged to witness Tess’s growth and beautiful personality over the years. And now we all get to witness Tess take the next step in her life as she recently accepted an opportunity to volunteer for the Imagine! After School Program.
Every Tuesday afternoon, the Imagine! After School Program facilitates an activity called “Stir Crazy,” a culinary skills class that explores all facets to cooking and eating. Participants gain knowledge around kitchen safety, food prep, nutrition, meal planning, and basic cooking/backing techniques. Participants also practice accessing the community to shop for various local ingredients and to be exposed to a variety of new foods with diverse origins. With various moving pieces and logistics to keep track of, Imagine! staff concluded that having an extra pairs of hands every week during “Stir Crazy” would be really helpful.
Tess jumped at the opportunity with great enthusiasm and began volunteering this past December. She spends her time helping set up the tables and food, preparing for the participants to arrive, then lending an extra hand to clean up and put the room back to normal.
Along with helping set up and tear down the activity, Tess has a high comfort level when interacting with and helping children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Not only does she complete tasks, she also adds great vibes to the space by laughing with a younger participant and saying “good job” to another. Being a participant in the program herself, Tess is familiar with the routine and the variety of needs that may arise, offering Imagine! Counselors and Supervisors support as needed.
Imagine! PR sat down with Tess and asked her a few questions about her new gig. She mentioned that this is her first time volunteering and it makes her happy and excited. “I like to help people,” said Tess, “and I like to help kids.” She has also been great at being flexible, “I help out as it comes,” said Tess. “I like to work and having a job, I want to do this more.”
We are so proud of Tess for taking this next step into adulthood, and so grateful that she chose us to work with! We look forward to continuing this partnership with Tess and to witness all the support and love she will pour into the After School Program.
