The children served by the Little Blue House experience incredible changes once they enroll in the programs offered. Behavior changes, attitude changes, and even their grades at school change - for the better. I have been witness to transformations in children with developmental issues and behavioral issues, children who lived inside a shell to protect themselves from their environment. Those children come out of their shells, get new glasses to see the world anew and the medical and therapeutic care they need to ensure better well being. Parents are transformed as well because of the programs offered to them. Nutrition, a greater support network and help with basic needs. Teaching parents to be more self-sufficient ensure that children have the models they need to succeed. The Little Blue House does all of these things.
One of the main reasons I decided to volunteer specifically at the Little Blue House (LBH) is their slogan “We actually help people”. I have experience of working with NGOs aimed at helping people. Some of them were better, some worse. So, I wanted to see a successful organization’s approach in aiding their users. The first thing that caught my attention was that everything at LBH was made for a child – a kind and caring atmosphere, colorful interior, the house full of toys, carefully selected competitive staff members that also get LBH training. The staff members are respectful toward every kid and in some way play a parental role and become role models him/her. I’ve never seen an employee/volunteer yelling at a child. Should a non-desired behavior occur, they simply put a kid into a time-out, and explain why he/she was punished. And if the kid’s behavior is desired, s/he gets a treat. So, the staff members are quite consistent with the kids, making the kids feel safe with them. But the most important thing is not time-outs and the treats, it’s how much kids like being at LBH. While volunteering at LBH I’ve seen that the kids greatly enjoy being there and if given an opportunity try to come to LBH as early as possible. One day Carl Foster was asking whether he should pick the kids up at 9 or 10 am, and the kids quite seriously were considering coming at 7 or 8 am. I believe that LBH creates a happy childhood that every kid should have. It seems to me that LBH is filling the gap of a family in the kids’ lives. When I was making deserts/lunches with the kids, they all were very eager to help me, being so happy to be involved in something. Another of numerous examples is: when I was watching movies with them, they would lay close to each other, covering each other with a blanket and one girl was hugging me. It hurts seeing these kids so hungry for attention, involvement and love. But it is sure nice to see that there is a place where they can get it. I’ve also witnessed how children approach LBH staff members when having problems in their routine life (whether with school or family). It shows trust the kids have, which is of crucial importance When I’m at LBH, I feel like I'm with my family, like these children are my little cousins. LBH had done tremendous work to make sure it feels that way for everyone who becomes a part of LBH life.