|
New volunteer
coordinator works to create connections between
children at the McCarty Center and the community
Jennifer Giamelle loved
the years she spent working one-on-one with
children with special needs at the J.D. McCarty
Center.
She got to know their personalities,
preferences and potential. She learned patience
and grew to better understand different disabilities.
She also developed a bond with the children
and strived to be a good role model for them.
"It was an awesome
learning experience," Giamelle said. "You
learned something different everyday from each
kid."
Now, she wants to help
others discover the wonders of working with
the children at the Norman center.
Giamelle, 25, is
the new volunteer coordinator and recreational
activities specialist for the McCarty Center
for children with developmental disabilities.
The center specializes in the care and treatment
of children with developmental disabilities
from birth to age 21. This year marks the 65th
anniversary of the center.
Giamelle's job includes
recruiting volunteers for tasks or activities
and helping to plan field trips and special
events in the summer for children who are inpatients.
Her goal is to enhance the center's volunteer
program and create opportunities where people
can interact with the children and "learn
something that will stick with them forever."
A variety of opportunities
are available at the center, such as having
people help with clerical duties or host a party
or carnival for the children. Volunteers can
also read with the kids, plant a garden with
them or develop an arts and crafts project to
do with them.
Another opportunity is
to perform for the children. Last year's entertainers
included school and church choirs, the Noble
High School marching band and a group of medieval
re-enactors. Also, the women's gymnastics team
from the University of Oklahoma performed an
exhibition for the kids.
Giamelle is also looking
for volunteers to work at Camp ClapHans, which
is a summer camp at the center that will be
designed and built for children with special
needs. It is expected to open in 2012.
The minimum age to volunteer
at the center is 16 but younger kids can volunteer
in a group with adult supervision. Families
are also encouraged to volunteer together at
the center.
Giamelle was hired as the
volunteer coordinator in November 2010. Prior
to that, she was a direct care specialist for
two years at the center. Direct care specialists
assist inpatients by providing around-the-clock
care for them; implementing patient care plans
that outline a child's history, behavior and
needs; and taking children to their scheduled
therapy sessions.
Giamelle enjoyed the daily
interaction with the children and forming friendships
with them. "They are like a sibling and
you're watching out for them."
Before coming to the McCarty
Center, she worked as a sales associate for
Walmart stores in Norman and Purcell. Giamelle
has a bachelor's degree in psychology from the
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in
Chickasha and is now working on her master's
degree in business administration from Mid-America
Christian University in Oklahoma City.
Outside of work, the Newcastle
resident is married to husband, Chris, and they
have a 2-year-old daughter, Carlee.
Giamelle also serves as
a volunteer with Oklahoma Advocates Involved
in Monitoring, which is a monitoring program
that trains and organizes volunteers to visit
homes of people with developmental disabilities
who receive state-funded services, according
to the program's description.
She started volunteering
with the program in 2008 because she wanted
to help make a difference and serve as an advocate
for people with disabilities.
"Just because someone
has a disability doesn't mean they should be
forgotten or neglected. They should be treated
the same way I'm treated," she said. "They
are individuals who hear and learn but maybe
in a different way."
Giamelle said she has a
passion for working with people with disabilities
and is inspired by those she meets who have
a positive outlook on life, no matter what circumstances
or challenges they face.
She believes people who
volunteer at the McCarty Center will be inspired
by the children they meet. It also gives them
an opportunity to give back and gain an enriching
experience in return.
"Volunteering changes
your life," she said. "It's pretty
rewarding. It's something that you will always
keep with you."
For more information about
volunteering, call Giamelle at (405) 573-5342
or e-mail her at jgiamelle@jdmc.org.
Sidebar
How to help
Here are some of the volunteer
opportunities that are available at the J.D.
McCarty Center for children with developmental
disabilities:
• Help the center
develop a ropes course
• Read/sing to the kids
• Develop a project or activity to do with
the children
• Host a dance or festival
• Help plant a garden or help with landscaping
the center grounds, such as by planting flowers
• Become a mentor to the children
• Host a karaoke
night
• Develop a book club
• Develop a pen pal program between kids
at the center and students in area schools or
with patients at other children's hospitals
• Perform for the kids.
|
