McLean Volunteer of the Week: Ariel Badger

Name:  Ariel Badger

Career:  Student on Hiatus.

Ariel is a recent graduate from UCLA with a degree in Psychobiology.  (No, that doesn't mean she's crazy about biology).

She just moved  to her parents home in McLean from Berkeley, Calif. Ariel is taking a year off to apply to medical schools.  

Her goal: To attend George Washington University and become a pediatric surgeon.

Where Ariel Volunteers?

  Jill's House, a one of kind facility that provides respite care for children with special needs in a resort-like setting.

Celebrating its one year anniversary Saturday, Jill's House provides respite care for children with intellectual disabilities and their families in the Greater Washington, DC area. They serve boys and girls, ages six through seventeen. "Our mission is to be a safe haven to which parents can entrust their children, allowing the parents a time of rest. To ensure that parents and caregivers get a real break, typical siblings are welcome to stay at Jill’s House, says the website.

Jill's House was founded by McLean Bible Church and is located on the grounds of the church at Route 7 and Lewinsville Road in Vienna. The church started in McLean.

What  Ariel does for Jill's House?

 Ariel started helping in the kitchen until discovered by Jan Pascoe, Jill's House Volunteer Coordinator.  Jan shaped the direction of Ariel's giving in a way that is enjoyable and utilizes her talents to their fullest potential.

Ariel gives of her time helping in administrative duties and working directly with children.

She helps in the activity rooms that provide art, music, visual, auditory & sensory stimulation to children with special needs.

Jill's house drew many of their design concepts from Shalva in Jerusalem.

Why Ariel Volunteers at Jill's House:

Ariel's heart was drawn to working with kids with special needs, and knew Jill's House was new and needed volunteers.   

For every child they provide respite care for, two are on the waiting list.

Ariel gets a feeling of joy of joy from hearing kids laugh and have a great experience at Jill's House. She has developed new skills, including learning sign language to communicate with children.

Ariel says she goes home every single day feeling she has made a difference.

Ariel's Hobbies:  

Ariel is writing a story, and spends a lot of time writing in coffee shops.  

She and her brother recently both moved into their parents home in McLean.  Her parents moved away shortly after that to be closer to their parents in Taiwan.  Ariel still lives in her parents home in McLean.

An invitation from Ariel:

Please join me in giving time and service to Jill's House!

This is a great cause, and I have tremendous respect for the parents who provide the intensive care for these kids on a daily basis.  

Training is provided and no experience is required. All you need is a heart to serve children and willingness to give of yourself in helping with administrative duties or working directly with kids.

Volunteering here is a a win, win, win for everyone involved.  The kids have a great experience, the caregivers get a rest, and volunteers leave with a sense of fulfilment, significance and joy.

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