2008 Woodie Awards
Student receives St. Mary's award for Volunteer of the Year
Alison Espach '07
Issue date: 10/12/06 Section: News
Caroline Dowd '07 is the recipient of the prestigious Outstanding Volunteer of the Year 2006 award, given by St. Mary's Home for Children, a local home for abused and neglected children. Chosen out of 230 candidates, Dowd was rewarded for her three years as liaison between St. Mary's Home for Children and PC.
Dowd, an Elementary Ed/Special Education major, has volunteered at St. Mary's since her freshman year. St. Mary's, created in 1877, is a residential treatment facility for children who may have experienced abuse or neglect.
Dowd orchestrated about 25 PC volunteers to go to the home four days a week, twice a day and engage in after-school and evening activities.
Susan DeRita from St. Mary's Home for Children said Dowd has been a vital part of expanding the St. Mary's volunteer program.
"It has really grown over the past few years. The influx of the PC students over the past few years have greatly increased," said DeRita, who attributed the growth to Dowd's coordination efforts.
As School Age Children's Outreach Chair-part of the Pastoral Council for
Campus Ministry-Dowd was responsible for what students described as "thankless" behind the scenes work.
"There is a lot of behind the scenes stuff that needs to be done so that we can volunteer, like forms and paperwork," said Ryan Sweeney '07, a member of the club. "And a lot of organizing groups, making sure everyone is signed up and has a ride and all that. Caroline does all the thankless behind-the-scenes stuff so that all of the volunteers can go and work with the children every week."
Outside of the paperwork, PC volunteers visit the home weekly for after-school and evening activities with the children.
"Every week we go and do a new activity with them," said Sweeney. "Sometimes it's reading, sometimes it's games, or crafts. Basically we go and talk with them and play games. We get to know the kids and are supposed to be their mentors, another resource and source of stability in their lives."
Dowd described this as a life-changing experience.
"I think every single time I have volunteered there, each individual day-not each individual year-I am reminded how lucky I am and privileged I am to have the life I lead," said Dowd. "It is a weekly eye-opener to remember to value your friendships and family members as well as to value what you have always believed you deserved-like a college education.
"I think more than anything, you are reminded over and over again when you go to St. Mary's that these kids really do count on you being there and are excited to see your face and have you be a constant in their lives," said Dowd.
In her time at PC, Dowd has also volunteered in Admissions Ambassadors, Big Sisters of Rhode Island, and this year will be tutoring at Times2 Academy. Dowd plans on becoming a teacher after graduation.
Dowd, an Elementary Ed/Special Education major, has volunteered at St. Mary's since her freshman year. St. Mary's, created in 1877, is a residential treatment facility for children who may have experienced abuse or neglect.
Dowd orchestrated about 25 PC volunteers to go to the home four days a week, twice a day and engage in after-school and evening activities.
Susan DeRita from St. Mary's Home for Children said Dowd has been a vital part of expanding the St. Mary's volunteer program.
"It has really grown over the past few years. The influx of the PC students over the past few years have greatly increased," said DeRita, who attributed the growth to Dowd's coordination efforts.
As School Age Children's Outreach Chair-part of the Pastoral Council for
Campus Ministry-Dowd was responsible for what students described as "thankless" behind the scenes work.
"There is a lot of behind the scenes stuff that needs to be done so that we can volunteer, like forms and paperwork," said Ryan Sweeney '07, a member of the club. "And a lot of organizing groups, making sure everyone is signed up and has a ride and all that. Caroline does all the thankless behind-the-scenes stuff so that all of the volunteers can go and work with the children every week."
Outside of the paperwork, PC volunteers visit the home weekly for after-school and evening activities with the children.
"Every week we go and do a new activity with them," said Sweeney. "Sometimes it's reading, sometimes it's games, or crafts. Basically we go and talk with them and play games. We get to know the kids and are supposed to be their mentors, another resource and source of stability in their lives."
Dowd described this as a life-changing experience.
"I think every single time I have volunteered there, each individual day-not each individual year-I am reminded how lucky I am and privileged I am to have the life I lead," said Dowd. "It is a weekly eye-opener to remember to value your friendships and family members as well as to value what you have always believed you deserved-like a college education.
"I think more than anything, you are reminded over and over again when you go to St. Mary's that these kids really do count on you being there and are excited to see your face and have you be a constant in their lives," said Dowd.
In her time at PC, Dowd has also volunteered in Admissions Ambassadors, Big Sisters of Rhode Island, and this year will be tutoring at Times2 Academy. Dowd plans on becoming a teacher after graduation.