This past semester I volunteered with Wildcat Friends, a program that is a part of Friends in Action (NH). The program connects young adults with developmental disabilities and UNH students in various activities during the weekdays throughout the semester. These activities include recreation, theater, photography class, grabbing lunch in the dining hall, hanging out with various student organizations in the MUB, among other things. I took part in the Friday theater class and the MUB activities that followed.
The theater class was focused on practicing for an end of the semester performance. The theme of the show was “love.” I was in the dancing and singing numbers alongside participants and fellow volunteers which originally was really outside of my comfort zone as I am incredibly shy. However, having fun practicing each week with all of them made a huge difference and made me excited for the show rather than nervous. There were dances to “Reaching Out”, “You’ve got a friend in me”, “Love Story”, “When I’m 64” and “Me too” as well as songs and narratives mixed in. All of the participants worked very hard every week in rehearsals to ensure they were ready for the performance. The performance was on December 7th and it was a huge success. It was so fun to be up on stage with everyone doing the dances and skits for friends, family and community members. I think my favorite part of the show was handing out necklaces to each participant as they had their solo dances to “Me Too” by Meghan Trainor. It was really special to witness each participant having a starring moment as they danced to this song about loving themselves and celebrated everything that makes them who they are which I think is incredibly important.
Rehearsal in theater class
Winter performance 12/07/16
After theater class on Friday’s Wildcat Friend’s would head over to the MUB and hang out with different student organizations each week. A few examples of these activities are improv with WildActs, arts and crafts with Circle K, and board games with APO. Every week during this time in the MUB participants were having fun, enjoying each other’s company and making more connections with UNH students. The time I spent with Wildcat Friends in the MUB definitely brought to my attention the really strong friendships that have been built through the program. Although participants may be from all of New Hampshire many of them have been friends for years through Wildcat friends as well as with UNH students who have come back every semester to volunteer. Friends in Action offers an impressive number of programs for participants with diverse interests in mind as well as many opportunities to get involved as a volunteer.
I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of this program this semester and I can’t wait to continue taking part in the future. The friendships and memories I made with the participants, volunteers and staff were definitely a highlight of my semester. I genuinely looked forward to going each week and left every session with my heart feeling so full.
Overall nothing has made my heart happier than volunteering with Wildcat Friends and I would encourage everyone to get involved with this awesome program! Learn more about volunteering here: http://www.friendsinactionnh.org/support-the-project/volunteer/