Pairing College Students with Hospitalized Children and Isolated Older Adults

"Volunteering with StudentsCare has been such an impactful and meaningful experience. As part of the Hospital Buddy Program, I visit the local children’s hospital and provide company to the children who are patients, and do things like color, build legos, or play board games. This experience not only helps children cope with a stressful and foreign environment like a hospital, but also provides them with momentary fun that helps ease their time there. This position has taught me so much about the inner workings of hospitals, the importance of connection, and how meaningful it is to give back to your community."

"During my first shift at the Ronald McDonald House, I met a 5-year-old girl who confided in me about her little brother’s terminal illness. Through playing games, doing arts and crafts, and just spending time together, I was able to offer her an escape and a sense of normalcy. Through moments like these, I realized that care is not always about solving problems, but about being present and willing to listen. I will carry the stories I’ve collected through StudentsCare with me forever."

[My buddy and I] always try to talk and do different activities, and one of them is singing. Her daughter sent me a list of songs that she likes, and I have added others that she also enjoys, mostly boleros and tangos. For me, it is incredible how even though she does not remember my name, she remembers the lyrics of the songs very well when we start listening to them, even songs she sang when she was very young!

I spent some time hanging out with B. She was in such good spirits and kept mentioning how excited she was to see her son later in the day, which was really sweet. It meant a lot that she was also so happy to see me after I’d been sick and we hadn’t caught up in a while.