I have been volunteering for CCFI for 25 years and have always found the staff supportive of my work and of the children and families that come through their doors. My wife and I are extended families, meaning we do short-term child care and respite care mostly for single mothers or grandmothers (these days). We think there is nothing quite like this program in central Oklahoma, and it serves a great purpose in reducing tensions in single-parent households. CCFI is in its other programs too a beacon of information and hope to families who are struggling with economic and other issues.
CCFI changes lives. Not only the ones of those who need services, but of those you can help with the giving and providing of services. It is an honor to live in a community with an agency that cares so much, does so much, and is making so much of a differance.
Volunteering with CCFI was a significant and meaningful experience for me. CCFI’s staff and volunteers are some of the world’s most compassionate people, and they genuinely try their best to improve the lives of every client. Each client is treated with respect and support. I felt very honored to have had the opportunity to witness positive changes in the lives of children and families involved in CCFI’s programs.
It is my first year working with CCFI and it has really opened my eye up to the needs of our fellow neighbors in the Norman community that need our assistance. This organization tires their best to help every family that comes to them. They know their names and backgrounds right off the top of their heads, which really impresses me. It shows that this organization really cares and when we discuss the variety of situations going on in each family I'm always impressed that they care so much about help these families in need. It's a challenging environment for them as well and I congratulate this organization for doing its best to help as many families as possible and with great pride.
This is the greatest organization for children & families! Working with the staff and other volunteers is a delight. My life has been changed by working with the kiddos I have mentored and kept in my home.
I volunteer for CCFI because I have seen what can happen when a family is broken and lost and then restored by this agency in less than six months. I know that families that need a fresh start can get the encouragement they need to succeed from CCFI. Families are able to learn in a safe and caring environment. These parents are very brave to admit they need help and to seek this help. CCFI gives them the confidence and knowledge needed to improve. One of the smallest things this agency does is provide diapers to new families in need in our community. This is such a small way of showing they care, but to the family that is hurting emotionally, it is an extreme gift.
For the last 4 years, I have spent my Monday nights with the Center for Children & Families, Inc. at the Neighborhood Centers program. To say that it has positively impacted my life is an understatement. The people I've met, the kids I've spent countless hours with, and the programs CCFI has each year have all shaped me into the person I am today. My favorite aspect of volunteering is the mentoring relationships with the kids that we have built together over the last 4 years. I've been able to have meaningful conversations with kids and provide words of encouragement and affirmation on a weekly basis. I have to believe on some sort of level that this has helped each child move toward a greater grasp of their self-worth and self-efficacy. From playing on the playground to arts & crafts, Neighborhood Centers provides a consistent environment for children to play in the evening. The staff and volunteers year after year continue to blow me away with their positivity, work ethic, and compassionate hearts. There's a reason I've stayed with CCFI for 4 years and the only reason I will stop is when I move out of Norman. Even after I leave, I will continue to find ways to give back to this great organization. I've made it my mission to share my story with others and encourage them to volunteer with CCFI as well. My hope is that CCFI continues to see success as they strive to provide safe and caring environments for children and families.
The Center for Children & Families, Inc. is a phenomenal organization. Throughout the past two years, I have had the opportunity to serve as an intern, volunteer, and now a Board Member. With a staff whose advanced training is matched only by their passion for what they do, CCFI has helped improve the quality of life for many children and families in the region. As if being one of the oldest nonprofits in the area did not already speak for their success, CCFI is an organization that always stays true to their mission, constantly working to ensure that every boy and girl grows up safe, nurtured and loved.
The Center for Children and Families, Inc. is an amazing organization. I was very priviliged to be a volunteer for four years. I was allowed to be a part of the many dynamics of this organization and gained much insight and experience. Not only did I receive professional experience, but being allowed to work with the wonderful people who serve through this organization changed my life.
I began as a work study student and soon understood why this organization is necessary and so successful. At CCFI every client was treated as an individual and their needs were what was important. Each person that passed through those doors for whatever reason entered a place of compassion, honesty, and love. I was able to see the differences client services made in the lives of children who had been abused and/or neglected.