December 2005
New Visions High School Students Bring Holiday Happiness to Community
The Ulster BOCES New Visions Health Careers Exploration students have set out on an important mission. They are volunteering their time to brighten the holiday season for some very special people who could use some cheer.
Under the supervision of Joseph Huben, instructor for the New Visions Health Careers Exploration program, the Ulster County students (who are in their senior year of high school) have been volunteering their time at the Benedictine Hospital. Recently, 25 students participated in the annual Benedictine Hospital food drive, which benefits over 100 local families in need. They also “adopted” three families of oncology patients and wrapped and donated presents to them. The giving didn’t stop there. Caring students also performed holiday musical presentations to the patients and staff at the hospital.
“Cancer is a catastrophic illness,” states Huben. “It can bankrupt a family, and not just from a health perspective, but from a financial one as well. Their being able to participate in a cultural event, such as the holidays, is near zero. When students ‘adopt’ families, they are bringing some joy to the families, which enables them to celebrate the holidays.” The families in need of support and some holiday cheer are recommended by the hospital’s oncology support group.
Several of Huben’s students also perform with a string quartet and will be sharing their musical talents with the residents of the oncology floor at Benedictine Hospital during the last week in December.
An Ulster BOCES New Visions Health Careers Exploration student from Onteora High School enjoys volunteering her time for the community. The student, who is a member of the string quartet and hopes to one day become a doctor, says, “I like to help people in the community. When we perform or give them wrapped gifts or food, I like to see their reaction. It’s a good feeling.”
A fellow classmate from Kingston High School, who hopes to one day become a family practitioner, is also looking forward to performing for the oncology floor and to joining her classmates in filling the food baskets. “It feels good to help out someone who needs it. I feel like I’ve really accomplished something. It’s nice to know when I’m home enjoying the holidays that as a result of our work, someone else out there in the community is also enjoying it.”
“These students do a wonderful job with community service,” comments Huben. “It is all on a volunteer basis and they are more than willing to donate their time to help others in need.”
The Ulster BOCES New Visions Health Careers Exploration program offers high school seniors the opportunity to work with practicing professionals as they execute an academically challenging curriculum related to the field of health. Students experience healthcare options firsthand as they work side-by-side with doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other clinical and non-clinically focused healthcare professionals. Along with regular classwork, students rotate to various clinical and non-clinical sites three days a week at hospitals and other heath related facilities in the community where they gain hands-on experience in a hospital operating room, delivery room, pharmacy, physical therapy, administration, engineering, radiology, dietary, pathology, and the emergency room.
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