R.E.A.C.H. (Recreation, Enrichment, and Activity for Children's Health)

Hours:
50 - 59 Hours

Availabilities:
Evening

Seasons:
Year Round

Competencies:
Active listening
Emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills
Relationship building and networking

Community Issue Area (if applicable):
Health and Mental Well-Being

Community Partners (if applicable):
University of Mississippi Medical Center

For more information about UMMC's Children's of Mississippi, visit www.ummchealth.com

Specific Job Responsibilities of Placement:
Volunteers will read, play, and interact with children hospitalized at Children’s of Mississippi. REACH volunteers may choose any combination of shifts throughout the year beginning in August 2025. Teams of volunteers will open and staff the playrooms (there must be at least two volunteers present to open each playroom.) Volunteers also plan (and host) seasonal parties before July 4, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Easter.

Committee Meeting Details:
As a volunteer on the REACH project, you must meet the following requirements to complete your project placement and receive project credit for the year. If you have any questions or cannot meet the requirements as described, please contact the Placement Chair at placement@jljackson.org for further direction.

Note: The following list is an outline of the project requirements. As needs arise, this list may be modified or expounded upon in order to properly complete the project for the Community Partner.

1. Attend project orientation.*
2. Attend cultural competency training.*
3. Complete your online project evaluation and online placement evaluation upon project conclusion.*
4. Complete all UMMC volunteer requirements, including (but not limited to):

• UMMC volunteer application (online)
• UMMC volunteer annual education and attestation (online)
• UMMC fingerprint background check (in person during business hours)
• UMMC volunteer services orientation (in person during business hours)
• UMMC TB test (in person during business hours)
• Immunization records 
  • Tdap within the past 10 years
  • Two doses of MMR or MMR titer
  • Two doses of varicella or varicella titer
  • Flu vaccine

5. Plan and attend one or more of the holiday/special parties throughout the year (dates TBA).
6. Attend planned shifts in designated playrooms at UMMC (thus keeping playrooms open) while interacting and playing sincerely with resident children.

*NOTE: Bolded items denote requirements for all JLJ Community Projects

Orientation or Training Details:

1. Attend project orientation. (date, time, and location TBA)
2. Attend cultural competency training.
3. Complete all UMMC volunteer requirements, including (but not limited to):

• UMMC volunteer application (online)
• UMMC volunteer annual education and attestation (online)
• UMMC fingerprint background check (in person during business hours)
• UMMC volunteer services orientation (in person during business hours)
• UMMC TB test (in person during business hours)
• Immunization records 
  • Tdap within the past 10 years
  • Two doses of MMR or MMR titer
  • Two doses of varicella or varicella titer
  • Flu vaccine

Important Information:
The project location is at UMMC’s Children’s of Mississippi (exact location TBA).

All JLJ volunteers must adhere to UMMC’s dress code (closed-toe shoes, no exercise clothes, no fragrances, no extreme fingernails, no shorts, etc.).