Volunteer Spotlight

by Joan Minor

Volunteer and Spiritual Life Coordinator

 

 

     Being a foster child means for many youth that, for whatever reason, they are not allowed to live at home. Many sad stories play into the how and why children are removed from their homes and taken to live with foster families. UMCH does a wonderful job recruiting loving and safe foster parents through its Professional Foster Care Program, and these families do an amazing job parenting troubled youth brought into their homes.

     Dawn Eggemeyer learned that firsthand when she, a psychology / sociology major at Maryville University in St. Louis, came to UMCH to work on her school practicum.  “I really like the foster care program.” She said, “You get so much more out of helping than you think you will.”

     Dawn enjoyed working with the foster kids and families so much that after she completed her practicum for school, she asked if she could stay on as a volunteer. Rachael Stevens, the Foster Care Supervisor, readily agreed. Since October, Dawn has spent around 30 hours a month volunteering with the program. One of the most rewarding parts of her job, she said, is teaching life skills to the youth.

     Even though Dawn still attends school and is busy enjoying life with her boyfriend and her cat Mia, she knows she wants to stay on as a volunteer for as long as her schedule allows.  “I would absolutely recommend volunteering here. I really enjoy it.”

     If you are interested in volunteering at UMCH, there are many other opportunities to get involved. It is a very rewarding experience sharing your time with others who need you. For information about volunteering contact Volunteer Coordinator Joan Minor at (618) 242-1070 ext. 240 or jminor@umchome.org.

     For more information on becoming an important part of the UMCH family as a foster parent contact Foster Care Supervisor Rachael Stevens at (618) 242-5600 ext. 244 or rstevens@umchome.org.

 

 

More volunteer opportunities are listed at:

www.umchome.org/waystohelp