Magdalena Mallory and her best friend were looking for volunteer programs in the Baltimore area when they found AHC’s Afterschool program at Greenspring Overlook (GSO).
“We were trying to get involved with something in the community,” Magdalena said. “I come from a big family, so working with kids is always fun and familiar.”
She volunteered throughout the spring semester, and AHC staff quickly noticed her bubbly personality and go-getter attitude.
“Magdalena brings exactly what we need — high energy that matches the kids’ enthusiasm and an intuitive sense of what they need in the moment.”
– Monica Settles, AHC Program Manager
In September, AHC hired her as a Program Assistant.
The timing was perfect — AHC expanded its Afterschool program to GSO last spring, and it serves K-5th grade students living in the community. Lindsey Moris, Resident Engagement Specialist for education, said the program offers more than just homework help.
“Every day follows a rhythm the kids can rely on,” Lindsey said. “We check in about their day, give them time to play and decompress, then learn together. And they know it’s a safe place where they’ll be fed and cared for.”
Now known as Ms. Mag to the students, Magdalena works alongside Lindsey monitoring the sessions, leading activities, and cooking meals.
“As a Program Assistant, I spend a couple of hours in the morning before program starts working with AHC, emailing back and forth, and attending meetings,” she said. “The staff is really fantastic, and I like their mission.”
Magdalena also appreciates how AHC supports its volunteers, many of whom are high school and college students.
“A lot of our student volunteers have their own lives, their own stress, all that stuff going on,” Magdalena said. “AHC always makes the effort to make it fun, to make it inclusive. It’s all about being welcoming.”
The students notice when Ms. Mag isn’t there. When she had to miss two days recently, they immediately asked about her absence.
“Then I come back on Monday and everybody’s like, ‘Ms. Mag, where were you?’” Magdalena said. “They’re definitely a big part of my day, and I can see that I’m a big part of their day.”
What she enjoys the most is supporting each child’s unique personality and accomplishments.
“Being [supportive] of what they need is sometimes conflict resolution. Sometimes it’s added support. Sometimes it’s constant praise and congratulations. They need to be told that … their work is a big deal because it is a big deal.”
– Magdalena Mallory, AHC Program Assistant
For Monica, Magdalena represents the kind of dedicated supporter AHC hopes to find more of.
“It’s nice to know that there are volunteers in the same community where you live and work who are willing to jump in, help, and support because they see the vision of what we’re trying to do in serving our residents and keeping them at the heart,” Monica said. “We hope to find more wonderful volunteers like Mag.”
To learn more about volunteering with AHC, visit ahcommunities.org/support-ahc/volunteer.
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