VolunteerCoordinator at Stony Brook University Hospital and 1992 Stony Brook graduate KimKress wants to spread the word about the volunteer program at Stony BrookUniversity Hospital to students and other community members.
‘?From my own experience, I’ve found thatpeople have many myths about what’ volunteering is really about,’Kress said.
Kress explained that she believesthese assumptions dissuade people from volunteering. Many individuals, shesaid, wrongly think that they have to devote excessive hours to volunteering orthat they have little choice in what types of work they can do.
‘?Theprogram is open to anyone who is looking to help someone and can offer thehospital some type of commitment,’ she said.
TheVolunteer program at SBU Hospital is open to high school students (who serve asJunior Volunteers) college students and anyone else who wishes to lend a hand.There are a variety of jobs and offices that have positions for interestedindividuals. Volunteers can work anywhere from the information desk where theygreet and direct visitors, to the blood bank where they help organize blooddrives. The hospital does ask that volunteers donate a minimum of three hoursa week for at least eight months.
Kressdescribed the process of becoming a volunteer. Applicants need to complete aninterview, a health session and orientation. She described the interview as aninformational session in which she looks for an interest in helping people andan overall pleasant demeanor.
Kresswill celebrate ten years of serving as Volunteer Coordinator in July. She saidthat the hospital is always looking for and taking in volunteers.
‘?Igo to school and community centers to explain the program to anyone who isinterested and in hope that it will bring more volunteers to the hospital,’she said.
Whenasked what she hoped volunteers got out of completing the service Kressemphasized ‘?the feeling that they’ve accomplished something as wellas helped others in need.’
Kressdescribed her own experience as a volunteer for SBU’ Hospital. She workedat the informational desk when she was a student at Patchogue-Medford HighSchool, and enjoyed the experience. She said she went home every night feelinggood because she had helped someone.
The bestway for college students to get into the volunteer program is to plan ahead,she said, because some offices and departments fill up quickly.
‘?It’sbest to apply to become a volunteer in the beginning of the semester whenappointments will be easier to attain,’ Kress said.
Kress feels that the VolunteerProgram has been a success. In November of 2002, over 1,000 hours of volunteerservice were donated to the hospital.
‘?Volunteersprovide patients with the one-on-one attention that sometimes staff can notprovide at the moment but is just as important as the medical attentionthey’re here for,’ Kress said.
For more information call theDepartment of Volunteer Services at 631.444.2610.
