How it Works
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OVERVIEW
The Hospital Buddy Program pairs trained student volunteers with children experiencing frequent or long-term hospitalizations. Through one-on-one visits, students provide consistent companionship, emotional support, and moments of joy, helping reduce feelings of isolation and creating a more positive hospital experience.
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ONBOARDING & TRAINING
StudentsCare facilitates partnership with hospitals' Volunteer Services and Child Life departments to onboard StudentsCare Buddies to the hospital and orient to the hospital unit(s) they will be serving in. Buddies also complete StudentsCare's robust training program to understand the stressors hospitalized children often face and how they as Buddies can help them thrive.
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Meaningful Visits
Through weekly visits, buddies create moments of joy such as playing games, doing crafts, reading, and simply being present.
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Lasting Relationships
Over time, these consistent visits grow into meaningful relationships with both children and their families, providing comfort and therapeutic support during challenging times.
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Group Activities
Students organize special activities and events to celebrate birthdays, treatment milestones, holidays, and more– helping to bring opportunities for socialization, fun and to help normalize the hospital environment.
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Comfort & Care
Buddies also provide thoughtful items like toys, knitted caps, blankets, personalized photo books, and decorative door signs to help create a more comforting and uplifting space for pediatric patients and their families.
