Volunteering & Volunteer Students

My mother works in the special education program at APS, and recently gave my sister and I the opportunity to volunteer in classrooms for mentally disabled elementary school students. In Albuquerque, the schools are bursting at the seams. Nowhere are these problems more evident or troublesome than in special education programs. There simply aren't enough educational assistants to serve these children, which often further stunts their development and keeps these kids from achieving at high levels.

As a result, schools encourage residents to become mentor volunteers. After passing a background check and being fingerprinted to ensure students' safety, anyone can go to a school near them and spend an hour or more playing games, making crafts and teaching special students. Not only is this a great way to make a difference, it is fun and relaxing. You can't help but leave with an appreciation for the simple things in life, as that is what these kids enjoy. You will also inevitably be thankful for your life and all the gifts that you have.

My sister and I played hide and seek for about twenty minutes, something neither of us had done in years. We also helped in the home economics room to bake chocolate chip muffins with a few students. I went home with batter in my hair and a smile on my face. Albuquerque is certainly not a rich city, so it is even more important here that our citizens take some time to help others.