CNRV Employees Make Youth Volunteers' Experience Special

CNRV's Summer of Service youth volunteer program officially ended Friday, and from all accounts, the teens had a great time. We salute the two people who made the summer extra special for our young volunteers: Guest Services Representatives (GSR) Tony Harrell and Cathy Adair!

Tony and Cathy helped make CNRV's program successful because they are young at heart and truly have a heart for helping others. The week before the youth volunteers started, Tony and Cathy were involved in their orientation. Cathy, who has a chatty and warm personality, shared tips with the youngsters on how to feel comfortable talking with strangers. Tony, who exudes a soft-spoken kindness, stood patiently with each teen and showed them how to sign in on the computer and made sure their log-in number worked.

The real learning (and fun!) started the next week when the teens showed up for their first shifts. Tony and Cathy purposefully greeted each youth and made them feel welcome (as they do all our patients and guests!). The first few days, every time you saw Tony or Cathy, you saw a teen right by their side, learning how to get around the hospital, learning how to walk the right pace for the patient or guest, learning how to serve others.

"Each summer, young people come to our hospitals to volunteer--nervous and not knowing what to expect," said Shanna Flowers, Director of Volunteers/Guest Services. "Because of people like Cathy and Tony, these young people leave by the end of the summer more confident and knowing the good feeling of helping others."

Thank you to employees like Cathy and Tony and to the departments, including Materials Management, Administration, Pharmacy, Surgery, PCU and Guest Services, that hosted youth this summer.