If you are humanitarian at heart and love working with children, then the Cougar for Kids Volunteer Program needs you. Their monthly meeting will be held on Friday, May 1 from 12-2pm in the Technology Building (T2), Room 201. Students, Faculty, Staff, and Alumni are all welcome to come.
“We need more manpower so we can accomplish more,” said Chair of the Cougars for Kids Student Auxiliary Committee, Taylor Doty. This program is all about meeting the needs of children who attend local schools and are patients of local hospitals. Most are low income.
Volunteer activities include reading, storytelling, playing games, help with school assignments, and also mentoring. “CFK is unique because it’s not random,” says Doty, “You will visit the same hospital or the same school each week. This allows you to develop a personal relationship with the children. You can touch their lives and really make a difference.”
Inspired by Dr. Jerry Evans, an Instructional Assistant Professor in the College of Technology, CFK was established in 2007 and is the largest Volunteer Organization on campus. “Dr. Evans was volunteering at a local hospital one day and thought it would be a good idea to get college students involved, and now the program has spread throughout the entire university,” Doty said.
Even if you have a busy schedule, you can still participate. Thirty minutes is the minimum requirement. Also, for your convenience, CFK will work with you to find a location that’s close to your home.
All who are interested, that can’t attend the monthly meeting, can visit the website and complete the online application. www.tech.uh.edu/CougarsForKids. Once approved, the volunteer can select the location of their choice and arrange an interview, and scheduling. To assist with this process, student volunteers will also be assigned a Faculty Sponsor.
Some locations will require a drug screen, possibly a background check and training to help volunteers familiarize themselves with procedures. A UH Release Form and Indemnification Agreement for schools or hospitals, must be submitted to Dr. Jerry Evans. Both can be taken to Room 330, Technology 2 Building, or faxed to 713-426-6417.
If you absolutely can’t give your time, but would like to make a contribution, you can always make a donation. “Some of the funds are used to have social events for the children or even help the families of children who have experience tragedy,” Taylor said. One family of an ill child had their house to burn down, so the volunteers helped with clothing and other necessary items.
Both children and volunteers have a lot to gain from this program. “The volunteers will gain a sense of pride and fulfillment because they were able to help someone. Even if it was by simply explaining their assignment. The children will gain the safety and comfort of knowing that someone really cares about them and learn that they can do anything,” Doty said.
