Volunteers who served on their StudentsCare chapter’s leadership team expressed their enhanced skills in program management and event planning. This hands-on experience has equipped them with the knowledge and confidence to initiate and lead impactful initiatives.
Additionally, participation in leadership roles fostered their knowledge development of community partnerships. Most volunteers strongly agreed that they have gained valuable insights into building relationships and collaborating with various stakeholders for the betterment of their programs.
Managing a group of individuals is a crucial skill, and StudentsCare volunteers have excelled in this area. An overwhelming 89% of respondents strongly agreed that their participation on their chapter leadership team taught them effective team management. This experience has nurtured their ability to work collaboratively and lead others towards a common goal.
Furthermore, StudentsCare’s Hospital Buddy Program has had a profound impact on volunteers’ understanding of empathy, cultural awareness, and knowledge about childhood illnesses. Participating volunteers strongly agreed that they have gained a clearer understanding of empathy (79%), cultural awareness (89%), and the psychosocial impact of illness on patients and their families (79% ). This immersive experience has enabled volunteers to connect deeply with pediatric patients, develop cultural sensitivity, and broaden their understanding of healthcare challenges.
The Senior Buddy Program, another initiative by StudentsCare, has also left a lasting impression on volunteers. Senior Buddy Program volunteers unanimously agreed that they feel more comfortable interacting with older adults, have a clearer understanding of empathy, and are more culturally aware and accepting of others. Moreover, they have gained a deeper appreciation for the impact of isolation and loneliness on older adults’ physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
The impact of volunteering with StudentsCare extends beyond personal growth. When asked about the effect of their participation on their career paths, the majority of respondents stated that volunteering with StudentsCare reaffirmed their choice to pursue medicine, while 18% of respondents indicated a change in their career trajectory towards the field of medicine.
Lastly, StudentsCare’s dedication to creating a meaningful volunteer experience is evident in the high recommendation rate. On a scale of 0-10, volunteers rated their likelihood to recommend StudentsCare to a friend at an impressive 9.4.
StudentsCare’s commitment to empowering volunteers through immersive experiences has proven to be transformative. By providing opportunities to lead, learn, and make a tangible difference in the lives of patients and older adults, StudentsCare has nurtured compassionate and capable individuals who are prepared to create positive change in their communities and beyond.