Health-related community service hours for teen

[Anonymous]

DD is almost 16 and volunteers some at Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation. She loves it, and is now looking for some other places to volunteer. She really would like something related to health care, helping people or animals in the health field, etc. We are in the McLean/N. Arlington area. Any ideas where someone 15 or 16 could get medical/health care service hours? Thanks!

[ThatSmileyFaceGuy]

What used to be called "candy striping" at the hospital?

I did it many years ago for my Senior Project. Worked in the E/R doing things like making those bracelet ID's, moving patients in wheelchairs to other departments (X-ray, to their room if they were being admitted) , restocking supplies.

[Anonymous]

Have you tried the Arlington Co. Volunteer search?

http://volunteer.truist.com/acvo/volunteer/

[Anonymous]

I don't know exactly what they did, but when my daughters were in NICU at Virginia Hospital Center, about once a week I'd see "teen volunteers" restocking the supply room. Other areas might have more patient contact (there was NO patient contact in the NICU). This was two years ago, so they're probably still around.

Even restocking a supply room might be a "foot in the door" at a hospital, though. You might want to remind your daughter that sometimes the first step is proving that you're willing to do "scut work" before you move up to "better" things - though she may also have already learned that with her animal volunteering.

Separately, I saw a volunteer office at Inova Alexandria when visiting a friend's newborn - in addition to whatever else they did, they sold "congratulations" and "get well soon" mylar balloons.

Maybe call local hospitals - ones your daughter can get to easily - and see what kind of volunteer programs they have?

[Anonymous]

Nursing homes.

[Anonymous]

Jill's house

[Anonymous]

http://www.our-kids.com/public/t/?f=5&s=133