Operation Smile Youth Group

Dance is the hidden language of the soul. -Martha Graham

Think of the last time you did the chicken dance or threw your arms in the air during the Y.M.C.A. You were probably at a 5th-grade roller skating party or a wedding reception. For the Dowling Catholic High School Operation Smile Youth Group, dancing is a weekly occurrence. Prepared to smile, shimmy and shake, these passionate student volunteers give their time and hearts to the children of ChildServe.

As part of a weekly, recreational therapy activity at the ChildServe Habilitation Center, children from ChildServe's residential program join together with Dowling Catholic High School students. The children and volunteers twist and wiggle the night away as they dance to some of the classics like the limbo, chicken dance, Hokey Pokey and more.

As members of Dowling Catholic High School's service program, students come with a purpose of "serving the needs of the community and the world in which the students find themselves."

For Jenny Schuemann, President of the Operation Smile Youth Group, the most rewarding part about volunteering at ChildServe is "giving other people happiness."

Each week, the ChildServe Habilitation Center's main dining area transforms into a busy dance floor. Volunteers and children partner up, the music starts, and the smiles begin to shine. Between each song, the pairs are given two dance choices. Whether by eye gaze, gestures, or smiles, the children vote on which dance should come next. Majority rules in this group, and Dan Malloy, Dowling Catholic High School Counselor, often struggles to convince the group to pick his favorite, the circle dance!

Malloy values each minute he spends as a volunteer. " It feels good having the kids be excited to see me. You fall in love with them. We all build relationships with the kids."

This amazing group of student volunteers creates an atmosphere of comfort and trust. The children aren't recognized by their disabilities, their wheelchairs or their inability to speak. They are accepted as children; children who smile, children who enjoy spending time with their friends, and children who LOVE to dance. The children seem to float on air as their Dowling Catholic High School friends support them to twist and turn. All of their disabilities and all of their cares disappear into the laughter-filled air. What emerges is an incredible experience of freedom and partnership.

Dancing with the feet is one thing, but dancing with the heart is another." -Anonymous

In addition to spending time at ChildServe, the volunteer group also participates in numerous other service projects. The Bishop Drumm Student Guild encourages students to get involved with people who are elderly. Best Buddies' mission is to enhance the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-on-one friendships. For this program, initiated by a relationship between Dowling Catholic High School and a family involved with ChildServe, Dowling Catholic students are matched up with students from Ruby Van Meter school. Students and faculty are also closely involved with Operation Smile, a not-for-profit program that raises money to help children receive life-changing cleft lip and cleft palate surgeries.

The Operation Smile Youth Group has been volunteering with ChildServe since the fall of 2002. In the beginning, former Dowling Catholic graduate P.J. Bognanno had a strong hand in developing the relationship between ChildServe and Dowling Catholic. Over the years, Operation Smile Youth Group members have enjoyed weekly dance group, ChildServe's Halloween parties, the Winter Wonderland Festival and more.

In addition to the continued commitment from Jenny Schuemann, current President of Operation Smile Youth Group, Sarah Heddinger and Lauren Matovina have also provided strong leadership to this wonderful volunteer group.

"This is a group that has a natural energy that the kids feed off of, making the interaction between them equally beneficial for everyone involved," said Tierany Virchow, Recreational Therapist for ChildServe, "It is an experience that is truly remarkable to be a part of."

The many hours of service given by this group yields wisdom beyond their years. These volunteers understand that having a special need doesn't change who a person is. They believe that we all have special needs. Some are simply different than others. These amazing student volunteers recognize that the children are still just kids and they still want to have fun despite the fact that they might communicate and play differently than other children.

President Jenny Schuemann said, "Knowing that every time I'm here, a little of my time means the world to these kids.

" It is evident that the partnership between ChildServe and Dowling Catholic High School is creating great opportunities and great life for both the children and the students involved.

Thank you, Dowling Catholic High School, for your dedication to ChildServe and the children whose lives you touch.

Look for more Volunteer Spotlights in coming months.

For more information on volunteer opportunities at ChildServe, please contact Kaylene Steele, Volunteer Services Coordinator, at 270-2205 or kaylens@childserve.org.