“They are moms just like a lot of us and they love their children unconditionally just like we all do….no matter what.”
– A Volunteer’s Experience at Kids-A-Part
Guest Post by Melissa Short
The email came in the spring a few months after I started working at Lund…..
Volunteers needed KAP program – Mother Child Visits at the Chittenden Regional Correction Center… read the subject line of the email.
I was still learning about all the different departments and programs at Lund so I saved the email to go back to it later. It was a few weeks before I remembered that I wanted to know more. I reread the email and decided that I wanted to learn more about what they needed volunteers for. Moms, jail, kids…moms, jail, kids. I sat on these thoughts for a few months unsure if I even wanted to pursue it as I could imagine how difficult it may be to see and be a part of. But, I kept thinking about it & it was weighing on my heart to find out more. I learned enough to know that I wanted to move forward in helping with the program especially after speaking to a co-worker that had volunteered and told me about her experience. I immediately emailed the appropriate people, quickly scheduled orientation at the Department of Corrections and before I know it I was ready to go volunteer for my first time at the correctional center bringing children in to visit their moms. Was I ready for this? Every part of me said yes until….
Saturday morning arrived and I woke up feeling very anxious, nervous & excited for the unknown. Driving there all I could think about was “What is this going to be like?” I pulled into the parking lot, took a deep breath and went in. The lobby was loud with excitement from children waiting to see their moms. Everyone went through security and in we went. My heart was pounding out of my chest as I saw these moms reunite with their children for the first time in I didn’t know how long because every situation is different. One scenario in particular hit me very hard emotionally as I saw a mom & her teenage daughter hug each other for what seemed like forever just sobbing. I was not aware as to how this would affect me. These woman were overjoyed and I was going to be able to be a part of their happiness for a short period of time. One of the KAP coordinators saw the emotion of my face as I tried hard to hold back tears and came over to ask if I was ok. After a few moments I was able to compose myself and spend the next couple hours watching the interaction between these moms & their children.
It was one of the best things that I have ever had the chance to experience. The anxiety & nerves I had walking in had vanished. It was replaced with gratitude that I could be a part of something so amazing. Lund provided this for these families and at that very moment I felt so proud of Lund. After the visit was over and I watched the hugs & kisses being given until the next visit. I walked out to my car & sat numb, crying good tears feeling a bit overwhelmed by what I had just been able to experience & be a part of. I called my husband to tell him all about it through tears & a trembling voice. He asked, “Will you do it again?” “YES”! I said without hesitation. I didn’t realize how unprepared I was for what I was going to experience – I will do it again, not doubt in my mind!
Bottom line for me is, yes….these moms are in there for a reason but they are moms just like a lot of us and they love their children unconditionally just like we all do….no matter what. Kids-A-Part is a wonderful program that I am happy to be a part of & volunteer for.
