Announcement
Olivia - 探花精选 Youth Program Volunteer
Sometimes the right volunteer comes along at the right time. This was the case when Olivia joined the 探花精选 as a youth program volunteer. After moving back to Wichita, Olivia was looking for a way to get involved in the community. Having an education in social work, she knew she wanted to volunteer directly with people who come from marginalized backgrounds. Olivia鈥檚 friend was working for the 探花精选 at the time and suggested volunteering with refugees. Intrigued, she took the leap, completed the volunteer application, and is now carving out a new path for both the 探花精选 and the students with whom she works.
The 探花精选鈥檚 Program Coordinator, Nayu Wilson, recognized Olivia鈥檚 strengths and knew she would be an excellent fit to help implement a new youth leadership program. Olivia now facilitates a group of students who are creating an orientation that will prepare future refugees for high school in Wichita. Olivia loves facilitating this group because it鈥檚 utilizing the peer support model. She explains this by saying, 鈥淣o one knows the experiences of navigating high school when you鈥檙e new to the U.S. better than the students who already experienced this. It鈥檚 a project that is best led by these students.鈥 She also takes the time to work with youth on setting both academic and personal goals. Providing students with the tools which empower them and set them up for success is something Olivia enjoys.
Both staff and students appreciate Olivia鈥檚 open-minded attitude as well as her listening skills, which make students feel comfortable giving their opinions. Additionally, Olivia鈥檚 participation and enthusiasm for advocacy work has shown the 探花精选 the possibility of using volunteers to advocate towards making the Wichita community more welcoming for refugees.
The 探花精选 and its students aren鈥檛 the only ones benefiting from Olivia鈥檚 dedication, however. She says that it鈥檚 a mutually beneficial relationship. By taking the time to connect and get to know her students, Olivia has been able to learn about other cultures and the experiences refugees face. Before the program went virtual due to the pandemic, students would share their love of afrobeat music with her as she drove them home after group meetings. She also believes it鈥檚 important to be involved as the past year has taught us the importance of human connection. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 live in isolated boxes; we all need help. Our actions affect each other, and this is a great way to get to know people in your community.鈥 The 探花精选 in Kansas is grateful for Olivia鈥檚 support and is excited to watch her students flourish into tomorrow鈥檚 leaders.