This month we are spotlighting one of our volunteers, Carol Rhodes. Carol has been a committed volunteer at The Children’s Center since 2019.
Carol is always friendly and joyful. She brings warmth to The Center and is wonderful to work with. She happily completes the projects she is assigned supporting the staff and making The Center a more welcoming environment for families and children.
We asked Carol to share a little more about herself so that we could all get to know her a little better.
Roles and Responsibilities
How did you get involved with the Medina County Coalition Against Human Trafficking?
I was looking for volunteer opportunities after I retired from my career as a preschool teacher after 27 years. I was discussing with some of my friends some opportunities and one of them said that I would probably like volunteering at The Children’s Center. One of my interests was to do something with children. I came in for an interview and felt like this was a place where I could make a difference and give back to the community.
What is your current volunteer role? What do you do in that role?
My role is support. I do whatever is needed straightening out the visitation rooms and making sure everything is well organized and clean for the families that come in to visit. I go through donations, restock snacks, put together outreach packets, help with materials for fundraising events, and clean and sort pinwheels once the Community Pinwheel Garden is removed. I consider my role to support the staff in whatever they need.
What are you most proud of in your work with The Children’s Center?
I’m proud that the work I do at The Children’s Center impacts families. That is important to me. Even though it might be straightening up the playrooms or washing toys, it helps. I’m proud to know that my volunteer work is positively impacting families.
Personal Insights and Reflections
What is the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
I think the best advice I was ever given was to be happy in anything you do. That was from my sister. Whatever it is, just find joy and do it all with a happy heart.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
So many things. I was very much interested in psychology. I took psychology classes and was in a psychology club. I also liked to argue and talk so I thought it would be fun to be a lawyer. At one point I thought maybe even a social worker.
The funny thing is as a teacher, I believe I covered all of those areas. We have to be fair and there are some counseling elements with the kids and the parents. I never thought I’d be a teacher. I was a travel agent for 10 years before I was a teacher. After I had children, I wanted to be home with them and that wasn’t feasible with being a travel agent. I started volunteering as a parent helper at the preschool and then I liked it so much I decided to go back and take courses to be certified as a teacher.
What is your favorite way to unwind after a busy day?
I love to read and am a voracious reader. I can read a book a week. I also like to hike and walk and be active. If the weather is nice, I’ll be biking or walking. My sister and I like to hike when we get together.
What season is your favorite?
My favorite seasons are spring and fall equally. I do not like winter. I don’t like to be cold or the snow. My favorite is probably the spring when everything is fresh and new and I can get out after the long winter. In the fall, I just love the colors.
Community Engagement and Support
What does the community need to know about The Children’s Center?
They need to know that the work that you do is important and very necessary. From my perspective, I think it probably impacts families in a very profound way. It’s very important work.
