Kymber: A Community Profile

Kymber was a part of our initial Simply Biz team at WOW In-Sync.  She joined us as a recent high school grad who was especially keen on becoming more engaged in her community through volunteering, socializing, or interacting with her peers in nearly any positive way possible.  Kymber showed an early affinity for childcare.  She loves children and expressed a desire to work with them in some capacity from her first days with WOW.  After extensive community exposure and training, It became clear that, with her proper benefits in place, an intimate setting that allowed her to continue to gain experience, participate in a professional community environment, and contribute on a volunteer basis in a social setting would provide her with the most flexible and customized option for engaging in her local community. 

After more than a year of training and participating with WOW In-Sync as a part of our Simply Biz and Biz Club programs, Kymber and WOW staff were able to find a community partner eager to make such a position a reality for Kymber. As of this past fall, Kymber is regularly volunteering at YMCA at Eastlake. Her position is  “pre-school class assistant” to the lead teachers & paraprofessionals in the classroom. Her classroom is known as the “Busy Spiders.” They range from 18 months-2 ½ years old. She participates in music and dance class by encouraging the children to have fun and models how to follow directions within dance steps and song. Kymber helps with art projects, passes out snacks, aids children during clean up and hand-washing, acts as an additional monitor during play time, helps to prepare for nap time, and even rubs the toddlers’ backs until they fall asleep. Beyond the initial benefits of volunteering and gaining experience, Kymber will have opportunities to increase her role, both socially and in learning new skills. 
 
For now, Kymber volunteers once weekly.  She has a strong “natural support system” including the classroom staff and several other YMCA employees. She plans to increase her volunteer hours soon as her schedule and transportation allows.  At the moment, even one day a week makes all the difference in the world.  According to Simply Biz employment specialist Raquel Smith, “this position really fits Kymber because she is very warm, caring and always willing to help. She is asserting her independence in the community in a positive way. She rides Marta Mobility to the YMCA, signs in and reports to her class on time.”

Recently, former WOW employee Krista Buccleugh visited the YMCA with her young daughter, Lily.  We were excited to receive notice that she had seen Kymber there, snapped some pictures, and spent some time together with Kymber.  Krista wrote, “It was so nice seeing Kymber today at the Little Maestro Class at my YMCA. I used to work at WOW but left to start my family as Kymber was just arriving. I do remember her goal was working with children. She did an excellent job interacting with the toddlers today! My 2 year old Lily sat with her for a story… so happy Kymber is there working on her dream and fulfilling the lives of others at the YMCA!

Not only are her mentors (past and present) taking notice of Kymber’s progress and infectious spirit, Kymber’s family is excited to see her grow with these new opportunities.  Her mother, Karin, says, “She has become more independent…she just loves it”.  One of Kymber’s WOW mentors, Priscilla Madigan, offers another perspective, “Participating as an assistant to this nursery class has allowed her to enjoy these small humans as they progress from crawlers, to walkers and to talkers. And talking has replaced the “signing” they learned in the Baby Group the previous year. Kymber helps encourage the children to sing, dance and use simple percussion instruments in their music class. She comfortably fits into being a responsible and caring adult with these toddlers.”

Ultimately, Kymber’s goal is to increase her volunteer time in order to supplement involvement with other community programs such as WOW In-Sync.  Rather than be lulled into the routine and potential monotony of daily facility services, Kymber is active and involved in multiple community settings, tapping into a growing personal network in the community.  Kymber sums up her feelings simply: “It’s a great way to start the week!”  We are proud to see another WOW In-Sync participant find success, and we look forward to watching Kymber’s network grow. 


Be sure to read more employment and community success stories from WOW In-Sync, Inc. Visit us at http://www.wowinsync.org