As we celebrate 25 Years of Project Sunshine in our blog series, this month we are spotlighting Hannah, who has been an exceptional community volunteer. Hannah began her volunteer journey with the Boston Chapter at Cambridge Health Alliance in the inpatient psychiatric unit for children aged 4-17. After relocating to Denver, she continued to volunteer at Denver Health in the Adolescent Psych Unit. Hannah has also provided valuable insights for other Project Sunshine volunteers on the best ways to communicate with patients in our behavioral health training. Read more about her inspiring volunteer experience with Project Sunshine below.
I first became involved with Project Sunshine because I was looking for a way to get involved in my local community and in a way that centered around helping kids. After reading through the Project Sunshine website, I wanted to become involved because I loved the idea of healing through play. As a nanny for seven years, I knew firsthand how silliness and play makes all the difference for kids.
When I volunteered with the children at Cambridge Health Alliance, it was a great experience, I learned how to create connections with patients through crafts. I realized that crafts are great conversation starters and help get everyone comfortable with one another. Project Sunshine creates a relaxing, fun environment which is perfect for fostering connections with the kids. My most memorable experiences with Project Sunshine come from the little moments when everyone is busy with their crafts, the kids are chatting with one another, and the room is warm and collaborative. I remember trying to help one of the patients make a model magic pizza. I had so much fun working together to shape the pizza, put on the toppings, and pretend we were running a pizzeria. By the end of the session, we were all jamming to songs and talking about pizza!
Through my experience volunteering in Behavioral Health units with Project Sunshine, I've gathered some tips to share with fellow volunteers. I learned that each unit has its own set of rules that might not be immediately apparent to volunteers. For instance, in one adolescent unit, plastic items were strictly prohibited to be given to the patients, which prompted me to make sure the activities and crafts align with safety protocols. When in doubt, always consult the unit staff to ensure your choices in crafts and music are appropriate. I've also learned that volunteering can be challenging yet immensely rewarding with each experience offering something new. Some weeks, patients can be chatty and easy to connect with, while other times, they may be more reserved. It's good to give some time and space in those moments and make sure that everyone enjoys the crafts. Finally, leaning on unit staff for behavior management allows you to focus on keeping the group engaged and entertained. Over time, these practices become easier to remember, making the experience smoother.
Volunteering with Project Sunshine brings me joy and it helps me to reevaluate my own priorities. It has connected me to my community where I get to meet new members every time I volunteer. I have learned a lot from my fellow volunteers about tips and tricks to run groups better, so it is great that we get to learn from our peers too. Volunteering has also helped me understand how important it is to create connections and have fun in the moment. I love that Project Sunshine allows me to get to know the patients in a fun environment where connections are easy to foster.”
We truly value Hannah’s unwavering dedication and look forward to the continued impact she will make. The continued contributions from our volunteers over the next 25 years is something we’re excited to see. If you’re inspired to join us and want to make an impact, explore the various volunteer opportunities available here.
