VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Christine Woodhouse
Teens on the Go!
Christine Woodhouse has a hard time deciding just when her inspiring volunteer career began.
She describes her first encounter with Teens on the Go: "I was doing respite with one of the teens through her family. What she did, I did. When she began going to Teens on the Go!, I went with her." By the time Christine's work with the young lady had finished, Christine was hooked on Teens! She signed up as a Community Living Kawartha Lakes volunteer and the rest, as they say, is history.
"I have been volunteering with Teens on the Go! for about two years now. But I have been around people with developmental disabilities for years. My mother was an EA [Educational Assistant] and I would meet her students. Having that in the family inspired me," Christine explains.
Christine recently completed her Social Services Diploma and has been delving even deeper into the field, learning as much as she can about services like those provided by Community Living Kawartha Lakes. "I am also on the Family Connections Caregiver Registry and have been occasionally hooked up with families through that service," Christine tells us.
Whatever her inspiration, it is her day-to-day experiences with Teens on the Go! that keep Christine coming back. "It is the bond I have with the teens that keeps me coming back - and each teen is unique. It is so nice to see them grow, even when it's just a little."
Christine joins Community Living Kawartha Lakes staff person, Heather Locke, every Thursday night and Saturday afternoon when the Teens get together to enjoy a variety of outings and activities. Sometimes other volunteers will also join the group. For example, on Saturdays, the sister of one of the Teens helps out as well.
Christine explains that she and Heather each have something unique to offer to the Teens. Heather agrees: "I just know that she's awesome. She's great with the kids and she's younger than I am so we offset each other and bring different strengths to the group. When the young girls are having a problem at home or school, Christine can talk to them better than I can. She relates so well. She is wonderful!"
"I have so much fun, it's ridiculous," says Christine. "At times I thought it might be too much [continuing with the Teens] with everything else I have going on, but I just can't seem to leave."
The Teens feel the same way about Christine. When she comes in the door, they call out her name and run to greet her. If she is sick or away for another reason, the Teens ask where she is and when she'll be back.
Says Community Living Kawartha Lakes staff person, Heather Locke: "In the summer she can't be here and we really miss her. She does everything with us, bowling, dancing, dressing up for Halloween (her gumball machine costume was a huge hit). With her knowledge, experience and education she is very good at dealing with problems and behaviours."
Christine hopes that the Teens get a lot from the group: "I know I do. I get upset when I know summer is coming and I have to stop for two months. It is so great to see them all again in the September."
Christine continues: "They look at you and they don't judge you. You don't have to put on an act [when you're with the Teens], you can just be yourself. I wasn't looking for this, it just kind of happened. Who would have known?"
Says Heather: "I wouldn't know what to do without her."
For more information about Teens on the Go!
To learn more about Teens on the Go!, click here or call Heather Locke at Community Living Kawartha Lakes, (705) 328-0464.
For more information about volunteering
For more information about becoming a Community Living Kawartha Lakes volunteer, or to apply online, visit our Volunteer Centre.
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