Aida C.

I enjoy people of all ages and it shows in the way that I interact with them. My interest in others makes me a good listener as a well as participant in conversations. I am generally lighthearted which makes tough situations easier to work through, although I am serious when the situation calls for it. My first volunteer work was in middle school and I was a candy striper in my small town's nursing home. I have had the opportunity to fill many roles both as a paid worker and a volunteer, including being a foster and adoptive parent, short-term caregiver to a boy with autism, long-term caregiver to my youngest son with two chronic medical conditions, teacher to my youngest son, high school chaperone, bank examiner, corporate trainer, non-profit executive director, short-term English teacher in China and many others. I am most proud of my work with my youngest son, Zach who is in high school. He is a confident, respectful and well-adjusted young man. He does not feel like he is at a disadvantage despite his medical conditions and high functioning autism. I receive a lot of personal satisfaction from making others' lives easier.