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Leaving Their Mark on the Community
Back in January it was announced by the County Manager that all eligible employees were granted Volunteer Leave to allow for participation in community engagement opportunities. The employees of Henrico County wasted no time getting involved with the community, and we took the time to catch up with them and ask them some questions about the new policy.
Where did you decide to spend your volunteer leave?
- “Greenwood Elementary School.” Jen Cobb, Engineering & Environmental Services Division Director for the Department of Public Works (JC)
- “I volunteer with Henrico Court Appointed Special Advocates (Henrico CASA).” Holly Zinn, Management Specialist for the County Manager’s Office (HZ)
- “My daughters school. Henrico High School - Center for the Arts.” Karen Saffy, Treasury Services Office II for the Department of Finance/Treasury (KS)
What did you do while volunteering?
- “I chaperoned a 2nd grade field trip to the Science Museum on this particular occasion. I have previously chaperoned many field trips and volunteered in the classroom using personal leave.” (JC)
Jen Cobb taking a lunch break with the 2nd graders. - “The Henrico Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court assigns CASA volunteers to cases involving alleged child abuse or neglect, children in need of services or supervision, and protective orders. CASA volunteers investigate the child’s situation and represent the child’s best interest through the life of the court case. CASA volunteers review court documents, routinely meet with the child(ren) and all other involved parties, request pertinent records, and provide an unbiased, factual report of the situation to the judge that includes recommendations for the next course of action in the best interest of the child. I used several hours of my volunteer leave to make a home visit with my child and to attend a Family Assessment Planning Team meeting with some of the child’s family members at the Department of Social Services. My role in the home visit was to observe and interact with the child, and I provided crucial information about the child’s case at the FAPT meeting.” (HZ)
- “Helped set up, serve, and clean up for the spring breakfast for the children that attend the Center for the Arts.” (KS)
What were your thoughts when the County announced they would be offering this time to employees as part of paid leave?
- “I was excited that I would be able to give more time to the school than I had been able to without the volunteer leave. I was also grateful that employees I work with would be able to participate in their volunteer activities without having to use as much leave themselves. I have seen other employees actively pursue volunteer opportunities that they would not have otherwise.” (JC)
- “I was thankful for the opportunity to have 8 paid hours to volunteer, and I feel it encourages us as employees to serve our community in different ways than we do during a normal workday.” (HZ)
- “I liked the idea because it gave me a chance to be more involved with the school activities that are scheduled during work hours.” (KS)
Do you plan to continue volunteering in the future?
- “I will absolutely continue volunteering. Giving our time to others is what makes a community. I might not be near as inclined to volunteer and give of myself if I had not benefitted so strongly from others stepping out and being an example for me. I have been helped in times of need, myself, and have been blessed to be able to pay it forward many times over. I discovered just how much joy there is in helping others.” (JC)
- “Absolutely.” (HZ)
- “Yes. The school is always asking for help with different events that the kids are involved in.” (KS)
What was your favorite part about your volunteer day?
- “My favorite part of the day was interacting with a less fortunate student that had some temperamental issues. He was not in my group, but I noticed on multiple occasions when he would get angry and lash out at other students and the teacher. I had just a few moments after we returned from the field trip to interact directly with him and encourage him when he started to get upset again. His demeanor changed from anger and frustration to one of feeling cared for and accepted. I don’t think I will ever forget the fist bump and smile I received from him as I was leaving the classroom.” (JC)
- “My favorite part of volunteering with CASA is knowing that I’m making a difference in a child’s life. While the crux of my CASA work is to provide unbiased facts for a judge to make decisions in the best interest of my child, I’m also able to love on a child who might not have ever experienced that.” (HZ)
- “Being able to help and the appreciation that the kids showed just for being there was heartwarming.” (KS)
Child waiting in court.
Anything else you would like to add?
- “I would like to encourage any employees who do not actively participate in volunteer activities to seek out opportunities to do so, not just to get out of work, but to strengthen the community and provide yourself a chance to be fulfilled.” (JC)
- “The number of children needing an advocate grows each day! I’d love to talk with anyone interested in volunteering with CASA, or they can visit the CASA website.” (HZ)