Volunteer Spotlight – Brandon Bartels
Volunteer Spotlight highlights one of our many extraordinary volunteers who helps Children’s Home + Aid achieve its mission to partners with children, youth and families whose potential is at risk to create hope, opportunity, and bright futures.
Volunteer Name: Brandon Bartels
Volunteer Position: Human Resources/Volunteer Services Intern
What do you do in your everyday life? What do you like to do in your spare time?
Right now, my everyday life is a balance of graduate school classes, my internship, two part time jobs, and doing homework. In my spare time, I love to exercise, spend time with my family, cook new meals, go to the movies, and explore new parts of Chicago I have not been to yet!
When did you start volunteering with Children’s Home + Aid?
I started volunteering with Children’s Home + Aid in September, 2016.
What made you want to get involved with Children’s Home + Aid?
While currently being employed by Children’s Home + Aid, I thought it would be both exciting and beneficial to learn more about the agency that I have worked with for a year and a half. I see smiles on the children’s faces at one of the program sites on a daily basis and wanted to go the extra mile to lend as much support to the agency as I could.
How has your experience been so far?
My experience so far has been great! All of the agency staff and the children I have met have been very kind.
Have you learned anything new about yourself as a volunteer with Children’s Home + Aid?
As I hear success stories from our clients, I have learned that I want to continue to work to help create successful futures for as many children and families as possible.
What keeps you coming back?
The relationships and bonds I have forged with those I interact with daily keeps me coming back.
Can you share a volunteer experience that had an impact on you?
Introducing a Foster Friend to a young girl who could barely contain her excitement for finally having her very own friend and mentor and seeing how genuinely happy it made her has been the most impactful experience I have had so far.
Interested In Becoming A Volunteer?
If you would like more information about volunteering at Children’s Home + Aid please contact Tara Harper at tharper@childrenshomeandaid.org.