For the second year in a row, Spanish Club members have been volunteering at the Vista Health Center in Waukegan, IL.
Tracy Gaona, club sponsor and Spanish teacher, started the event last year.
“I think it has been really great. It definitely has been different every time we go for each student. I also think it’s been a really positive experience for students. They get to interact and initiate conversations with the patients. They have been really able to branch out and see what it’s like to volunteer at a hospital and learn more about the field too,” Gaona said.
In order for the students to volunteer at the hospital, they first had to go through a process. The process included an application, a recommendation, a health test and an orientation.
Once past the process, the students were able to do various activities and tasks. At the hospital, the students split into groups amongst themselves, and then they are distributed to different hospital floors. Some floors include the ER (emergency room) and the ICU (intensive care unit). From there, the members get assigned activities by the hospital staff.
Some of the activities include: giving water to patients, helping with paperwork, and just talking patients. Some of the students try to speak Spanish. If there is an opportunity, the students push each other to talk in Spanish.
“My favorite memory was when I was working in the ICU, and I talked to this patient for a good 15 minutes. She was really nice, and I was able to talk to her about Spanish Club and why I volunteer at the hospital. I was able to learn a little of her life too,” said junior Christina Lizano.
The students spend about over a little more than an hour at the hospital.
“I would describe the hospital experience as insightful, inspirational, and helpful. Volunteering at the hospital has definitely opened my eyes,” said junior TJ Kilcullen.