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For Blacksburg High School students, our volunteers contact them weekly to see how they are doing in school and at home. They plan an activity for them that may take place after school, in the evening, or on the weekend. In the past, volunteers have done such things as take them to a basketball game, for a walk around campus, to the mall, out to a movie or dinner, for ice cream, or over to their own house for a night of fun. We ask that volunteers keep in constant contact (over the phone or through email) with their buddies and regularly meet them in person.
For the Virginia Tech buddies, our volunteers have a more set and consistent schedule. They usually have one or two days a week that they will meet their buddy for lunch on campus. Other volunteers take time in the day to work on homework or class assignments with their buddy, and still others may meet them at work or use up some of their free time planning an activity of their choice. The six buddies in this program hold a job at Deet’s Place, West End, Burger King, the Hokie Passport Office, Parking Services, or Kroger. They take classes in Horticulture, Child Development, Cultural Awareness, or whatever interest they may have.
Both the high school and college students are invited to our monthly group activities. This is a time that all the volunteers and buddies have a chance to get together and share their experiences and ideas. In October, we had a pizza party and brainstorming activity night. In November, we held a craft and cupcake night, where the kids were able to decorate picture frames that they can later use for holiday gifts. Coming up in December, we will have a bowling party in Christiansburg and give the buddies a chance to wrap their picture frames before the volunteers go home for winter break.
The average volunteer commits to about 2 hours a week and 10 hours a month. He or she is expected to stick to this commitment whether it is through his or her individual activities or the group parties each month. While the Transition Program is more strictly set, volunteers in the high school Buddy Program are expected to make time for phone calls or planning events on their own.
Each volunteer should also plan on attending a training session/meeting at the beginning of the semester. For the high school program, a criminal background check is required because of the nature of the work. There is a cost of $10 to the volunteer and the YMCA picks up the rest of this cost.
While time and effort are required, there is a much greater reward of exciting new friendships, parties for everyone involved, and experiences you can’t find anywhere else!!
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