VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT FOR APRIL: Bobbi Martin
Story by Debbie Mormon
 

“This place rules!” said Bobbi Martin, Brookhaven Head Start Center volunteer.

“I will do anything for this school,” she says enthusiastically.

Bobbi, a single parent, is also a Brookhaven College student studying radiology.  Since September of 2007, she has spent more than 200 hours volunteering at the center, located on the Brookhaven campus.

After leaving her daughter, 4, at the center for the day, Bobbi attends school and volunteers between classes.  “I can save gas, and just love being here,” she says.  “I can just pop in and see my daughter and use the center computer lab for my class work.

“I love this place.  They have become my family.  The staff has helped me so much.  I had financial issues, but they gave me some options.  My daughter loves it so much!  She used to hate going to school and would cry when I dropped her off at day care and it was so expensive,” Bobbi explained.

The mother said her daughter’s disposition has improved.  “She used to whine and was so shy, but now is outgoing and has a lot of friends.”   Bobbie also notices a change in her daughter’s academic progress.  “She is so smart!  The children here are so bright and learning so much.  I love investing time in making their minds grow,” she said of her volunteer hours. 

“For children who are less fortunate, there is nothing more important than giving each of them a chance.”

The young mother helps in a variety of ways at the center, from assisting teachers to decorating bulletin boards, helping with special events, working in the kitchen, reading to the children, preparing lesson materials and monitoring on the playground.  She has also interested her own mother in volunteering at the Brookhaven facility.

The two worked on a door decoration which took first place in the center decoration contest during Black History Month.

Head Start staff was so impressed by Bobbi’s work they asked her to become a substitute teacher.  “I never realized how hard it is to be a teacher,” she explained.  “It is not easy dealing with so many small children all day.  I don’t know how they do it!  Sometimes I have problems with my one, but I am learning.”

Bobbie is pleased her daughter has another year at Head Start before entering kindergarten.  “I was so excited when I heard this center was opening.  It has worked out well for my family.”

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