Leadership Academy 2013-14 LeadingAge New York Feb. 2014 | Page 32

Hasan Tariq
Director of Therapeutic Recreation
St. Mary’s Center

Volunteer Program Improvement
1

How would you describe your Action Learning Project and the difference you hope it will make to
advance your organization’s mission (or the field) and benefit the individuals you serve?

The Action Learning Project that I have chosen is one that I think will enhance the quality of life for our residents. For the past several
months I have been working with others in my department and with the Human Resources Department to initiate a sustainable
volunteer program. Over the years St. Mary’s Center has benefited from volunteers coming in and donating their time; however, the
visits have been infrequent and inconsistent. In the past we have had high school students come in and co-facilitate music groups
during their summer vacation never to return, not the following summer or during winter breaks. This has been disappointing for some
of our residents who look forward to the interactions with special guests and my colleagues and I have been exploring new ways to
create a more consistent experience for our residents and the volunteers.
Using some contacts at Columbia University we are in the process of recruiting volunteers in three different capacities. First we
are partnering with a group of young female students with an interest in the health sciences to run a monthly Women In Medicine
Group. These students come in and discuss health related topics with our residents who are often misinformed about many health
related matters that directly affect them. Second we are working with Columbia Community Outreach who have committed to
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