Volunteers praise Bloorview’s programming, environment
Friday, July 27, 2007 -- Deron Hamel
Dan Franey and his girlfriend Heather Cole have been volunteering at Bloorview Kids Rehab in Toronto for about five years – in fact, that’s where they met. The couple volunteers with children in the centre’s recreational swim program.
About seven years ago, Franey’s brother was a client at Bloorview. From this firsthand experience of seeing how important the programming at children’s treatment centres is, Franey decided to volunteer.
“We take the kids swimming and have fun with them . . . it lets them relax and not have to worry about physiotherapy or occupational therapy,” explains Franey. “They can just relax and be a kid in the pool and have fun.”
Franey, who volunteers once per week, says he gets positive feedback from the children he volunteers with. In fact, it was one boy’s birthday recently and he brought in a cake for volunteers to say thank you for all their help.
Aside from the benefits to the children he sees, Franey says there’s also a level of personal satisfaction that comes with volunteering.
“I enjoy being able to make (the children) smile and brighten up their week a bit,” he says.
Like Franey, Cole has volunteered at Bloorview for about five years.
Cole, who grew up in Toronto, attended university in Montreal. When she moved back to the Big Smoke, she found herself with spare time while trying to find work.
“I started looking around to see where I could do placements or where I could volunteer to get rid of some of my extra time, and I stumbled across Bloorview,” she says.
Immediately, Cole says she was impressed with the treatment centre’s programs and with the centre’s staff.
One particular aspect of the centre which appeals to Cole is the input Bloorview encourages from its volunteers.
“I found that as an environment it was very supportive, which you don’t always see in all volunteer situations,” she says.
And what would Cole like to tell anyone considering a volunteering opportunity at Bloorview?
“The clients that we work with are fantastic, especially at a facility like Bloorview where you get to see the personal growth on their behalf, and you get to see the accomplishments that they’re making.”
Anyone interested in volunteering at Bloorview can get more information by calling (416) 425-6220.