HAMMOND — On June 2, North Oaks Health oriented 54 teens to its Junior Volunteer summer program, marking a 17% increase in participation over last year as the organization continues to invest in career readiness and the future healthcare workforce.
Catering to youth, ages 14 to 17, the seven-week program offers early exposure to healthcare careers while building practical skills in teamwork, communication and service. Through volunteerism, the students are able to explore career pathways while contributing to a setting focused on caring for others.
Reflecting growing interest in the program and healthcare career exploration, this summer’s junior volunteers represent 19 Louisiana high schools and seven parishes—East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Lafayette, Livingston, Orleans, Tangipahoa and St. Tammany. Participants also include students from a homeschool program and one high school in San Jose, California.
“Our summer program gives teens a meaningful introduction to the healthcare environment while helping them develop skills that will serve them throughout their education and future careers,” explains North Oaks Volunteer Services Manager Malissa Gonzalez. “It is an opportunity to serve others, gain confidence and begin envisioning a path in healthcare or other service-driven professions.”
The program runs from June 8 to July 31 with students supporting departments across the health system and contributing to positive patient and visitor experiences.
The junior volunteers are: Ava Adu, Hammond High Magnet School; Lauren Alford, Oak Forest Academy; Jabari Aucoin, Ponchatoula High School; Catherine Barron and Makiya Bedford, Hammond High Magnet School; Cade Bernier, Ponchatoula High School; Ella Bourque, Springfield High School; Robin Bruce, Denham Springs High School; Joey Cocchiola, Albany High School; Emmalean Cortez, Ponchatoula High School; Zoey Davis, Holden High School; Kate Dentro, Denham Springs High School; Reign Dickerson and Jerica Dunnington, Hammond High Magnet School; Sarah Espino, Ponchatoula High School; Edi Foster, homeschooled; Khloe Golden, Denham Springs High School; Dillon Gosserand, Catholic High School; Gracelyn Guillory, St. Thomas Aquinas Regional Catholic High School; Abigail Hager, Ponchatoula High School; Lily Hamilton and Lucy Hamilton, Homeschooled (Acellus); Abigail Hymel, Denham Springs High School; Xavier Jacobs, University Lab School; Samaya Jackson, Ponchatoula High School; Keegan Jones, St. Paul’s School; Joan Joshua, Hammond High Magnet School; Autumn Lloyd, Denham Springs High School; Joshua McIntosh and Shelyia McKnight, Ponchatoula High School; Alyssa Maryland, Hammond High Magnet School; Celia Michel, Ponchatoula High School; Demi Miller, Loranger High School; Roni Miller, University View Academy; Tianna Miller, Ponchatoula High School; Jada Moore, St. Thomas Aquinas Regional Catholic High School; Noah Morgan, St. Thomas More; Bryce Moya, Oak Forest Academy; Camara Norman, Loranger High School; Jimmy Nguyen and Za’Nysia Payne, Hammond High Magnet School; Ava Phillips, St. Thomas Aquinas Regional Catholic High School; Aliza Queneshi, Leland High School; Saahil Rab, Jesuit High School; Jade Ramos, Walker High School; Evelyn Reece, Slater Torah Academy; James Robertson, Ponchatoula High School; Addisyn Rowell, Albany High School; Alexus Schneider, Hammond High Magnet School; Sam Solis, Mandeville High School; Queen Varmall, Hammond High Magnet School; Teagan Woods, Courtney Christian School; Jae’da Wilson, Hammond High Magnet School; and Mia Zheng, Ponchatoula High School.
For more information on volunteer opportunities for teens, students and adults, call North Oaks Volunteer Services at (985) 230-6811 or visit northoaks.org/volunteer.