"You tell me and I forget. You teach me and I remember. You involve me and I learn." — Ben Franklin

Junior Volunteer Information

Phone: 309.944.9130

If you have a student (grades 8-12) that is interested in working with people in a hospital setting over the summer months, you will want to learn more about the Junior Volunteer Program offered at Hammond-Henry Hospital. 

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, applications are not available at this time.  When available, the application will be posted here.

What are the requirements for being a Junior Volunteer?

There are a few boxes that your student needs to check off before becoming a junior volunteer. Applications are available soon.  Once available we will announce deadlines.  

Students are required to:

  • be entering 8th grade or older in the coming school year
  • be available 2-4 hours/week during the summer
  • follow the hospital appearance code
    • students are asked to purchase a polo shirt ($10 – HHH pays remainder)
    • slacks (khakis) are acceptable.  Girls may also wear capris/skirts. 
    • no jeans or shorts allowed
    • no flip flops
    • Sandals are acceptable but only if worn with socks (wearing socks or hose in patient care areas is Illinois Health Department Policy)

What will my child get out of being a Junior Volunteer?

Just as every child is different, every experience will be different as well.  Many of the junior volunteers will help in the Long Term Care Living Center.  Spending time with the older generation provides benefits for both age groups.  Sharing stories alone makes for a fun and positive growing experience.  Other departments utilize services of the junior volunteers, giving them the opportunity to observe the many types of employment available in a hospital.  Adding the experience of volunteering to a college application is always a bonus as well. 

What kind of training do Junior Volunteers receive? 

Before beginning volunteer work, all students are required to go through an orientation that covers: infection control, attitude, behavior in a hospital, fire safety, and wheelchair usage. Youth must also be mature enough to sign and follow the requirements of Hammond-Henry Hospital's confidentiality agreement. Junior volunteers must attend an orientation/training session.

Orientation sessions will be held in the first-floor conference room (near the East Entrance) at the hospital. Dates & times TBA.

What kind of things do Junior Volunteers do?

A junior volunteer’s main duty is to assist in departments with tasks such as: delivering water, juice, and mail, interacting with residents in Long Term Care, playing cards, BINGO, dominoes, or other activities. Other assistance is requested by departments, such as help with preparing mailings or patient materials, filing, information desk, etc. Junior volunteers who are in the 10th grade or older may be trained as couriers and make inter-office deliveries. Summer volunteer hours are from 9 am-Noon, 2:00 – 4:30 pm or 6-8 pm.  Generally, teens volunteer once a week. Junior volunteers need to be aware that volunteering is a serious commitment and they are expected to be here when they are scheduled.  When family and school activities arise, we can accommodate the schedule.