bankHometown and the bankHometown Foundation have stepped forward for a second year to donate $6,500 in support of Day Kimball Healthcare’s (DKH) 2019 Junior Volunteer Program at Day Kimball Hospital.

Last year’s corporate sponsorship supported DKH’s highly-competitive Junior Volunteer Program, which provided 49 area students with an outstanding opportunity to provide valuable service to the community while also gaining insight into possible careers in healthcare.

“The Junior Volunteer Program provides the youth in our community with an opportunity to explore and observe different career opportunities, both clinical and non-clinical, in our organization,” said DKH Pastoral Care and Volunteer Services Coordinator Janet Johnson. “This opportunity is invaluable in their decision making and career development as we guide and mentor them through these important years. Junior Volunteers mature and grow while serving others and making an impact on our staff and patients.”

Junior Volunteers contributed 3,887 hours of volunteer service across 9 departments at Day Kimball Hospital, specializing in patient and pharmacy transport, last summer.

In addition to serving as escorts, assisting in departments, and fundraising, Junior Volunteers participated in job shadows and career exploration workshops in several areas of the hospital including from nursing, the operating room, healthcare administration, laboratory, pediatrics, diagnostic imaging, and emergency medical service.

“We’re grateful to bankHometown for their commitment to this community service program which complements the high quality care that our medical staff provides to patients, families, and the community,” said DKH Director of Development Kristen Willis. “It is an ongoing challenge to provide sufficient resources to allow important programs such as this to continue while also fulfilling our mission to improve the health and well-being of our community by providing the best medical care. bankHometown’s support for this program will allow us to continue to improve lives while preparing the future workforce of Northeast Connecticut.”

“We love sponsoring the Junior Volunteer Program at Day Kimball Healthcare because it creates so many wonderful opportunities for our younger working community. This program sets the participants up for success and future employment in the health services field,” said Matthew S. Sosik, President and CEO of bankHometown.

“This program not only benefits the students, but it also benefits the patients and staff with whom the students interact and provide support. bankHometown’s contribution allows us to enhance and grow this program to its full potential,” said Johnson.

DKH will welcome its next group of 47 Junior Volunteers into the program on July 1, 2019.

DKH’s Junior Volunteer Program, which will begin accepting applications for summer 2020 on January 2, provides students with opportunities to learn valuable lessons in volunteerism and social responsibility, and exposes students to firsthand administrative and clinical experiences in a healthcare setting. Eligible candidates must have graduated ninth grade before entering the program, and must be between 14 and 18 years old. Learn more at daykimball.org/volunteer.

PHOTO CAPTION: (l. to r.): DKH Volunteer Services Coordinator Janet Johnson, DKH VP of Human Resources Jeffrey Corrigan, bankHometown Branch Officer Matthew LaFlamme, bankHometown Cash Management Officer Susan Collins, BankHometown President and CEO Matt Sosik, DKH President and CEO Anne Diamond, bankHometown Board Director and DKH Board Director Peter Deary, and DKH Director of Development Kristen Willis at a $6,500 check presentation in support of DKH’s Junior Volunteer Program, on May 28 at Day Kimball Hospital.