High School Students Give Back at the Dublin Senior Center

Mondays through Fridays, volunteers file into the Dublin Senior Center eager to start another day’s work. They sign in, put on a pair of gloves, and starting cleaning and setting up a happy and enjoyable environment for the residents and visitors.

These volunteers consist of high school students from all across the Tri-Valley. They come from Castro Valley, San Ramon, Livermore, Pleasanton, and of course, Dublin. All have their own reasons for joining the volunteer program the senior center has to offer. Though initially, many signed up to fulfill the community service portion of their graduation requirement.

“I signed up to volunteer at the senior center for community service hours,” says Dublin High senior Camila Huang. “But now I just do it for fun and to give back to the community.”

Many of the volunteers find that even after their fifty (the requisite number of volunteer hours for Dublin High) hours are done, they stick around. The structure and routine of the senior center volunteering program allows them freedom and fun. Volunteers are often seen happily chatting with their friends as they wash dishes, set up tables, make coffee, and pin up decorations.

“I like volunteering at the senior center because I love having the conversations and interactions with the seniors and volunteers,” says Dublin High senior Littera Kwong.

Anyone can find their place while giving back to the community. The Dublin Senior Center is one of the best places to form bonds with other like-minded people, who all have a dedication to service.

“I was finding a way to blend into this community when I first moved to Dublin,” says volunteer Ming Yin Kwong, when asked why she chose the Dublin Senior Center. “And I love serving people and making them happy.”

The youthful energy of the teenage volunteers is important. It brings a certain life to the senior center, whose residents are always happy to see the students passing by, and will always offer a smile or a wave. The purpose of the volunteering program at the senior center is to provide a low cost workforce and to ensure the health and cleanliness of the area. The volunteers work hard every week to support over a hundred seniors, who enjoy the facilities that they set up.

“I think my job is important because those seniors worked very hard for our country before and it is time that we do something for them,” says Ming Yin Kwong.

To volunteer, pick up an application the next time you swing by the senior center. Shifts last for about an hours once a day, and you can pick which weekday that works best. Many students have shared a feeling of teamwork and generosity. The experience is worthwhile.

“I love helping people out and I think it’s very important to give back,” says Huang. “I’d like to have people do the same for me when I become a senior one day.”