The volunteer experience is essential for both our volunteers and our participants. The Munroe-Meyer Institute simply couldn’t serve as many individuals as we do without the support of our incredible volunteers.
Since the summer of 2017, I have had the pleasure of working in some capacity with the recreation therapy department here at MMI.
Starting as an intern, I got to work closely with volunteers who were devoting time to our programs. I continued my work within the department, moving from a full-time recreation technician to an adaptive therapy specialist and now the volunteer coordinator. During that time, I became more aware of the increased need for volunteers as our programs grow.
When I became volunteer coordinator in 2021, it opened a door into a new world of opportunities. Working with students in the MMI community has been a highlight of my career, since educating people on how to work with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the lifespan is so important to me. Volunteers provide peer interaction that our participants may not have outside of our programs. They’re here to work on social skills as well as help foster independence for the participants.
Our volunteers are students in Omaha and surrounding areas, and we provide them with a unique hands-on experience working with children and adults. Volunteers undergo training prior to working with clients so they know what to expect during the experience.
In my eight years here, I have seen volunteers become incredible staff members, many moving on to become strong therapists and medical practitioners outside of MMI. I have seen this program change the course of many volunteers’ lives — with many now devoting themselves to working with people with disabilities. Most importantly, I have seen volunteers make strong bonds and friendships with our participants, making a lasting impact on them and their families’ lives.
Volunteers at MMI change lives, including their own. MMI wouldn’t be able to do all it does without them. And, without our volunteers, we would lose a lot of what makes MMI special.