Hospice Teen Volunteer Program

Megan Wolfe
December 16, 2009
Filed under News

Students waited as the intercom came on and they were told to go to the front commons area and find their advisor. They walked through the halls and down the stairs watching to see what is happening. Then the projector goes on and up pops “Open Arms Hospice: Teen Program,” and a few volunteers stand and begin.

    The McCall Hospice House is the home to Open Arms Hospice. Hospice, with help from Joshua Schmidt, put together a teen program. The Program gives teens a chance to try working in a career with death and other things that they aren’t use too. “It’s enlightening, it’s a chance to try and make somebody as comfortable as possible,” volunteer and Sophmore Ashley Semmler said.

    Hospice is compassionate care for people at the end of their life. It’s about caring for patients and helping them to live happy in their last days. “It’s hard, it’s a chance to do something for somebody else,” Semmler said. The program is designed to make time important to the patients and to you. It’s a chance to do something you enjoy to help others.

    Volunteers can help nurses, deliver items to patients, video tape patients, talk with them or learn something new. “I think it’s a really good way to see the community and get service hours,” Sophmore Landon Byrd said. There are a few requirements, volunteers must complete:

-Application

-two letters of recommendation

-proof of up to date shots

-TB test

-Doctors clearance

-12 hour training

-St. Francis ID badge

-Background check

-you must also be above the age of 14

    Sophmore Kevin Weatherly thinks it would be a great place to volunteer. “I would if i had the time, because it’s  a cause I see is worth it,” Kevin said.