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Adriana Dalea
Volunteering Paper
December, 2014
Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA)
Northwest Special Recreation Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to help
and support children and adults with developmental disabilities. They operate in the Chicagoland
area and a large portion of their programs and activities is focused on the participants under the
autistic spectrum. Their volunteering program is well developed and they encourage everyone to
participate.
I decided to volunteer to help out the staff during a weekly program called Busy Bodies.
This program takes place Saturdays during the year. The participants have activities such as
games, swimming and various field trips. I was involved in one Saturday this semester in an
event that included children and teenagers with autism. The group met and took a bus to the
designated location; the participants and the volunteers rode together and we connected well, in
order to build the trust and a friendly and warm relationship. When we arrived at the address, we
all took lunch; the volunteers and staff helped the children to eat and interacted in a positive way.
We read books, played games and drew. After that, we started an art project, we created dirty
snow with shaving cream, warm water and glitter, and then we added Borax detergent boost,
which made everything stick together. The kids were very happy to play with the snow and this
was a great sensory activity that they need so much. At the end, we all watched a movie and the
day ended in a great mood for everyone.
The group I was involved with was really warm and they needed a lot of attention. I am
glad I was a part of it and helped them to have a nice day with their friends. After this experience
I appreciate more the work NWSRA does for the community and I realize how much warmth
and attention the participants under the autistic spectrum need on a daily basis. I believe that
volunteering in such activities can make a lot of difference in our society and can help not only
the direct affected people and their families, but also the caregivers, involved staff and
volunteers, by making good and helping the ones in need.