Tomorrow Today says thank you to volunteers during Volunteer Week

Tomorrow Today used the occasion of National Volunteer Week (May 15-21) to acknowledge the work of its volunteers, who enable the foundation to deliver programs such as Kinder Pals and Connect9.

 

Kinder Pals is a program for children in preschool settings who need additional support to build literacy and numeracy skills. Volunteers work with children one on one or in small groups, reading stories, describing pictures, and promoting rich conversation. 

 

Cathay Bridgefoot is one of the volunteers in the program, and has lived in the Benalla community all her life, with many in the community knowing her from working in local business Stolz Furnishings.

 

“I worked for Stolz for many, many years but when I finished up there completely, I realised I had some time and I wanted to put back into my local community. When I saw an article looking for volunteers with Tomorrow Today, I called to find out more about what they needed and how I could help,” she shared. 

 

As part of the program, she makes regular visits to Gum Nuts Resort Childcare Centre twice a week to help with the three-year-old and four-year-old kinder groups. 

 

“Sometimes I take a book in from home. I might read to the children in small groups and then we talk about the story, or the pictures or the children might ask me questions. Sometimes I might do other activities with them,” she explained. 

 

“I really enjoy being a Kinder Pal, there is never a dull moment! Seeing things through the children’s eyes, listening to their conversations and sharing some laughter, it’s just a joy.”

 

Tomorrow Today is welcoming new volunteers for its Kinder Pals program and other programs to support children. For more information, please see here.