Beyond the Books: One Volunteer’s Dedication to Family Literacy
Barbara Neufeld wasn’t ready to slow down after retiring from a fulfilling career in urban education research and teaching. Driven by a passion to make a difference, she sought out new opportunities to stay engaged and contribute her expertise. She found that opportunity with the Early Literacy Services ParentChild+ program, where she has volunteered for the past 9 years.
A New Challenge
“I needed to do something useful, and the early literacy focus of the program really appealed to me,” Barbara explains. “I had experience in education, but not at the preschool level, so it was a new challenge that I was excited to take on.”
More Than Just Home Visits
Barbara has embraced that challenge wholeheartedly, visiting families in their homes twice a week to model reading, play, and learning activities that support their children’s early development. But her role has expanded far beyond the home visits.
Witnessing the Growth
“What’s fulfilling about the work with families in their home is, that it is as much learning from them and learning what they need and learning what they already can do,” she shared. But Barbara’s commitment goes beyond simply modeling literacy activities; she truly invests in the families she works with, becoming a trusted source of support and guidance. She has been able to help families in a myriad of ways, whether it’s advocating to get a child enrolled in school, providing guidance on navigating the complexities of the education system, or even helping a parent with her college coursework. Barbara exemplifies the dedication and compassion that make our volunteers so invaluable.
It’s this mutual learning and growth that Barbara finds so rewarding. “It’s incredibly fulfilling to see the progress the children make. I’m learning how to support people, and they’re learning new skills, helping their children get ready for school,” she says.
A Moment of Breakthrough
One particularly rewarding moment came when Barbara was working with a little boy who had been largely nonverbal. “He hardly spoke at all when I first started visiting,” Barbara recalls. “But one day, I brought some pictures of a leopard because he loved animals, and at the end of the visit, I asked if he would like to keep them. He looked at me and said, ‘Yes, I would like to.’ It was such a small step, but actually a really big step. That is incredibly rewarding.”
Giving Back in Many Ways
Barbara’s passion for the program’s mission has also led her to become a donor. “I donate both my time and financial resources because I believe so strongly in the work the organization is doing,” she explains. “The program has a profound impact, not just on the children, but on the whole family.”
Inspiring the Next Generation of Volunteers
As a retired adult volunteer, Barbara recognizes the importance of recruiting younger participants to carry on the program’s impact. “I find it so rewarding in that you are doing meaningful work and you can see the result. You see a little kid and a family member become more interested in a book or doing arts and crafts,” she says. “I hope more people, especially those with an education background, will consider joining us.”
With her wealth of experience, warm personality, and deep commitment to the families she serves, Barbara exemplifies the power of volunteering. Her story is a testament to the transformative impact that can occur when compassionate individuals like Barbara dedicate themselves to supporting early learning and strengthening communities.
Thank you, Barbara, for your incredible commitment to Family ACCESS!
Interested in becoming a volunteer like Barbara? Visit our website or contact us to learn more about volunteer opportunities with Family ACCESS.
