At first, the friendships might seem a little surprising. But when eleven-year-old Max Kroloff and his younger sister, Nina, visit the Wellness & Arts Center, it’s clear just how real the friendships are between these young volunteers and participants in Iona’s day program. “I wasn’t there when my son Max recently visited with his fifth grade student council peers. I heard that the participants cheered on his arrival,” says mom, Tracy, in a Q&A with Iona.
Since 2013, the Kroloff Family has volunteered with Iona’s Wellness & Arts Center. They play games, lead morning exercise, tell stories, color, and put puzzles together. The experience, Tracy says, has been very special to her family. “We also always feel so happy and loved and full of love when we leave Iona. It is an incredibly valuable time for us,” she says.
The Kroloffs aren’t alone in their commitment to helping others. More and more, parents are looking for ways to make volunteering a regular part of their family’s routine.
Volunteering with your children is a wonderful way to spend time with your kids while contributing to the community and teaching important values like compassion and gratitude.
Here at Iona, we have many volunteer opportunities that are ideal for families.
- Pack and deliver meals to homebound older adults in the Northwest Washington, DC area who are unable to prepare their own meals
- Socialize and enjoy activities with older adults in the Wellness & Arts Center
- Give back to your community during the holiday season and pack meals on Thanksgiving or Christmas mornings
- And more!
We value whatever time and talent you have to offer, and will work with your schedule to make your experience meaningful and enjoyable.
For more information about Iona’s volunteer opportunities, visit our volunteer page. You can also contact our volunteer coordinator at volunteer@iona.org or (202) 895-9419.
