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Name: Annette
Birthday: March 22
Gender: Female
Ethnicity:
Other
Location:
QUEEN CREEK, Arizona
United States
QUEEN CREEK, Arizona
United States
School:
Phoenix College, Phoenix Arizona Arizona State University, Tempe Arizona
Phoenix College, Phoenix Arizona Arizona State University, Tempe Arizona
Work:
Salt River Project Federal CU Bank of America N.****
Salt River Project Federal CU Bank of America N.****
Hometown(s):
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Gilbert, Arizona Brandon, Mississippi Queen Creek, Arizona
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Gilbert, Arizona Brandon, Mississippi Queen Creek, Arizona
Quote:
It's not what we leave behind that's important, it's how we've lived.
It's not what we leave behind that's important, it's how we've lived.
Easter in Tanzania 2003THE PLEASURE OF VOLUNTEERING
THE PLEASURE OF VOLUNTEERING
The Children’s Crisis Center of Arizona
Life’s most rewarding experiences are often found in places we don’t anticipate. No matter how rewarding and demanding our careers, there are often voids in ones life which cannot be fulfilled in a professional environment.
It was not by coincidence that I became involved in The Children’s Crisis Center of Arizona. Perhaps it was my love for children, and my experience as the eldest sister in a family of thirteen when I learned how important it was to attend to the tender needs of my siblings. I think this is what led me to want to become an active volunteer in areas of child welfare.
I have always been sensitive to young children and their emotional well being. It was in this way that I felt compelled to help with the emergence of the need for volunteers to help with the rising influx of children in crisis in the Phoenix Metropolitan area. Many new agencies were opening to help meet the growing demand for children needing immediate and ‘emergency’ attention. Often these children were the victims of abuse, neglect, and abandonment.
Most heartbreaking were the innocent infants born with birth defects because of drug abuse by their mothers. These children are commonly known as ‘crack babies’ by the general public. But also, many infants were exposed [in vitro] to alcohol abuse and other illegal drug usage by their mothers. These infants required intensive 24 hour medical care, needing hands-on individual attention such as cradling, rocking, and simply being held.
I served as a volunteer at the Crisis Nursery for three years doing whatever I could to help with these special needs infants and young children. It is difficult to explain how desperately these infants and young children relied on those of us who served as volunteers. We did everything possible to attend to their immediate needs. Most of all we attempted to nourish their fragile emotional wounds. Also, for me, it was an emotionally powerful experience realizing that in some small measure I was helping these helpless innocent ‘victims’. And, it is in this manner that I knew I needed to go a step further by adopting two special needs children of my own, and make a home for them.
Now that I am an adoptive parent of two formerly ‘special needs’ infants, the reward has been beyond explanation for me and my husband. No other area in my life has given me more satisfaction or pleasure than watching the transformation that took place in lives of my adoptive children, and the joy they have brought us once they became a part of our lives.
Annette Harris
May 7, 2009
4lovesake says:
Thank you so much for your comments. It has been a joy watching the two girls we adopted develop strong, and healthy. They have a love for life, and are eager to give something back to our community through their help at the homeless shelter. They see the children in need there, and they tell me how bless they are to have us as devoted loving parents. The blessings never stop pouring out when you give of yourself
Posted: June 26, 2009 1:49AM EDT
jc2gether63 says:
Hi Annette,
I agree with you 100%. I have felt rewards by volunteering, much more than any paycheck ever gave me. Unfortunately I am still working fulltime because I need the medical insurance. My game plan is to help with CASA, here in Casa Grande, AZ, as soon as I am able to retire. That is the only child advocate program that I am aware of in this area.
I appreciate your passion and applaude you for taking the extra steps to help those that need our help the most. God Bless!
Have a Great Day!
Carol :-)
Posted: June 6, 2009 10:46AM EDT
mjk47 says:
Annette,
I Love your work! You touch a very special place in my heart. Children are a gift from God! You and your hubby are a true angels from God to the children . Thank you for share your passion with us. Janet :-)
Posted: May 28, 2009 10:14PM EDT
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Added: May 7, 2009
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Views: 389
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