Child Development and Education Professionals Shine as Pickles Group Volunteers
Since we launched our first pilot program in the fall of 2021, Pickles Group has been thrilled to partner with child development, education, mental health, and other related-field students and professionals who have stepped up to facilitate our youth programs.
Our youth volunteers bring a myriad of professional experiences and training to our organization, and all share a common background of at least one year of experience working directly with kids.
We’re grateful for their contributions, and excited to see our talented pool of caring, kids-first volunteers continue to grow. And, we’re thankful for the support of Chicago’s Erikson Institute who has been instrumental in volunteer recruitment.
We’re excited to spotlight wise words from some of our incredible founding youth program volunteers!
Kyle Cook
“I volunteered for Pickles, because I believe if we have the ability to provide happiness, we are obligated to fulfill that ability. There will be bad days, but there is good in every day. Worry doesn’t make you weak, it makes you beautiful.”
Nadine Fiorito
“Pickles was a humbling experience in which I was able to help foster new friendships, aid in coping, and help youth in my community through challenging times in their lives. I was able to deepen my passion for helping others in a way that will make me an even more valuable child life special in the future. I was able to make connections with both the children and co-facilitators that will last into the years to come. I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for the Pickles community.”
Kristina Roy
"Pickles gives kids a community. There is not doubt about it. Pickles gives kids a safe space to share all their thoughts around cancer with other kids who are going through something very similar to them. Over the 5 weeks of this program I watched strangers turn into friends who became more and more eager each week to share their experiences and open up. It was truly a remarkable experience to watch all of these kids grow throughout this short amount of time."
Sheena Watterson
“I am so honored to volunteer with Pickles because this is something I wish I had been able to access as a kid when my mom was going through cancer. It can be hard as a child trying to comprehend what your parent is going through and not have your friends be able to understand. Pickles provides that sense of community so the kids know they're not alone and can talk to people who understand the journey they are going through.”
Hailey West
“When I found out about my Dad’s cancer, I was 15 years old. Cancer affects so many people, but surprisingly, I felt alone in my experience. My friends didn’t understand, I was worried about my family, and ultimately struggled to find a safe space to emote. Having Pickles back then would have been so impactful; to learn more about cancer, to make connections with people my age going through similar experiences, and to have an empowered sense of hope. I volunteer with Pickles to give what I wish I would’ve had during my parent’s cancer journey.”
