Canopy NWA Afterschool Program Volunteers

Volunteering with Canopy NWA has been an incredibly meaningful part of my college experience. Through this work, I have supported refugee families as they adjust to a new environment, while also building relationships with the children in the program. Some of the most rewarding moments have come from watching the kids simply be kids—spending time playing and bonding outside, exploring books together at the library, and expressing their creativity through art. Seeing their excitement as they prepared pieces for the end-of-year art show was especially impactful, as it reflected not only their growth but also their sense of belonging. These experiences have deepened my empathy, broadened my perspective, and reinforced the importance of fostering community through compassion and connection.

Volunteering with Canopy NWA has been an incredibly meaningful part of my college experience. Through this work, I have supported refugee families as they adjust to a new environment, while also building relationships with the children in the program. Some of the most rewarding moments have come from watching the kids simply be kids—spending time playing and bonding outside, exploring books together at the library, and expressing their creativity through art. Seeing their excitement as they prepared pieces for the end-of-year art show was especially impactful, as it reflected not only their growth but also their sense of belonging. These experiences have deepened my empathy, broadened my perspective, and reinforced the importance of fostering community through compassion and connection.

I volunteered as a peer mentor at Canopy's after school program with the younger group of kids. We spent time outside playing games, had snack time, and then went inside for reading time. I love this program because it is so much fun!

Volunteering with Canopy NWA has been an incredibly meaningful part of my college experience. Through this work, I have supported refugee families as they adjust to a new environment, while also building relationships with the children in the program. Some of the most rewarding moments have come from watching the kids simply be kids—spending time playing and bonding outside, exploring books together at the library, and expressing their creativity through art. Seeing their excitement as they prepared pieces for the end-of-year art show was especially impactful, as it reflected not only their growth but also their sense of belonging. These experiences have deepened my empathy, broadened my perspective, and reinforced the importance of fostering community through compassion and connection.

Volunteering with Canopy NWA has been an incredibly impactful part of my college experience. Through this work, I have been able to support refugee families as they adjust to life in a new community, whether by helping with programs, meeting everyday needs, or simply being a source of encouragement. This experience has expanded my perspective, deepened my empathy, and reinforced the value of serving others. It has shown me the lasting impact of compassion and has motivated me to carry those values with me into my future career.

Volunteering at Canopy NWA has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my college journey. Through my time there, I have had the opportunity to support refugee families as they navigate new beginnings, whether by assisting with educational programs, helping with daily needs, or simply offering a welcoming presence. This experience has broadened my perspective, strengthened my empathy, and reinforced the importance of community and service. Being part of Canopy has reminded me how powerful small acts of kindness can be and has inspired me to carry that same spirit of compassion into my future career and beyond.

Due to the rainy weather, we spent yesterday inside. We did cross stitching, drawing, and played card games. As always, it was so fun to see the kids utilize creativity and community to have fun and learn new things.