ReEmployAbility continues to work alongside our Not-for-Profit partners to aid in the recovery of injured workers who go through our Transition2Work® Return-to-Work program. Having an understanding of all the known benefits of volunteering Transition2Work® provides to our clients and injured workers, ReEmployAbility has organized a company-sponsored volunteer program, REA in the Community, to allow our team members the opportunity to participate in their own philanthropic initiatives. With great success, the REA in the Community program has been met with enthusiasm and appreciation. Administrative Associate, Maybelle Mellum, recently volunteered at the Children’s Board Family Resource Center in Brandon, FL; a nonprofit with a cause very dear to her heart.
The Children’s Board Family Resource Center works in collaboration with agencies committed to families in the Hillsborough County, FL area. For more than 30 years, The Children’s Board of Hillsborough County’s mission is to invest in partnerships and quality programs to support the success of all children in Hillsborough County. As an organization in pursuit to be one of the top locations in the nation to raise children, the Family Resource Center provides opportunities for parents or caregivers and their children to participate in parent/child developmental playgroups, developmental screenings, and health and safety education. For qualifying families, the program offers counseling, pediatric well-child visits, immunizations and hearing or vision screenings. Fostering relationships with community partners and volunteers allows the nonprofit to focus on supporting families with children from birth to eighteen years old to become happier, healthier, and stronger.
Maybelle was asked a series of questions, to provide insight on her experience while volunteering at Children’s Board Family Resource Center. This is what Maybelle had to say:
What is your role at ReEmployAbility? Please give a little background information on yourself.
I am an Administrative Associate and I have worked at ReEmployAbility for almost 2 years. As an Administrative Associate, I assist with any projects within the Service Department, that may involve receiving, reviewing, and processing referrals from clients for new program participants. I am a single mother of one son, who just became a Fireman. I have been living in Florida for almost 17 years, and I love the weather here because it reminds me of back home in the Philippines.
Why did you choose to volunteer at the organization, and how is the organization’s mission significant to you?
As a single mom, there were a lot of difficulties I faced to take care of myself and my son. Over the years, I was able to receive some support that allowed me to keep moving forward. I have always loved working with children, so this organization was the perfect fit for what I wanted to do. This nonprofit allowed me to give back some of that support I needed myself in the past. Volunteering allowed me to help those parents who need just a bit of extra help with caring for their children.
What were your duties and responsibilities while volunteering?
I was the Front Desk Attendee for some time. Then I worked in the Art Works room and helped set up the classroom.
Would you recommend others to volunteer at this nonprofit, and what should they expect as a volunteer?
Absolutely! This organization was very well organized with an amazing and friendly staff. As a volunteer, you will need to be patient and caring with the children, while also meeting the organizational and friendly standards the location is trying to uphold. A wonderful experience, with friendly staff, and a clean environment overall.
With locations all over Hillsborough County, Florida, the Children’s Board Resource Centers offers diverse and creative classes within their program for children of all ages. At each location the organizations class schedules vary with fun and educational curriculum with all families and backgrounds in mind.
If you or someone you know would like to volunteer or need the resources provided by the Children’s Board Family Resource Center visit www.familysupporthc.org
