6/12/08
CMH provides teens with opportunities for experience
By Chris Bullard

CHRISBULLARD/Manning Times

Clarendon Health System’s Volunteer Coordinator Scherrie Cogdill sits with Jr. Volunteer Coordinator Cassandra Brunson while preparing for the Jr. Volunteer orientation that took place on Monday, June 9.

For the second summer in a row, Clarendon Memorial Hospital is giving teenagers the opportunity for real job experience through the Junior Volunteer program.

The program for teenagers 13 to 17 years old has filled seven of the 15 open positions so far and will be accepting applications up until the program begins on June 16. The volunteers will work through June and July and end on Aug. 3.

On Monday, Ashley Donahue, Stephan Psillos, Carol-Gray Stukes, Jibryll Johnson, Cameron Atkinson, Cameron Cogdill and Kara Ann Ard met together at the Cypress Center for their orientation. From there they took a full tour of the hospital, took pictures for their badges, learned the rules and regulations of the hospital, found out which department they will be working in and met their supervisors.

According to Junior Volunteer Coordinator Cassandra Brunson, the teens will work in different areas of CMH, which may include the switchboard, second-floor nursing department, child care lab in The Zone, materials management and potentially in the Cypress Foundation office.

“It’s like having a part time job,” said Brunson. “Some just want to get out of the house for the summer. Others around the age 16 or 17 want the experience to actually learn how to get a job, so if they volunteer they will learn more about going into the real world.”

Both Brunson and Volunteer Coordinator Scherrie Cogdill agree that the program is beneficial for those involved and that CMH would be a positive influence for the future.

“The Junior Volunteers are a valuable asset to our healthcare system,” said Cogdill. “We fully expect that under the direction of Miss Brunson they will have a rewarding experience. The opportunities for our volunteers will hopefully provide them with worthwhile future work ethics.”

For more information about the Junior Volunteer program contact Cassandra Brunson at 435-5246 or 473-0552.