Local student volunteers, helps Raceland children

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Nicholls State University student Kellee Bell is giving her time to help make her community better.

Bell, 20, has been volunteering at the Wallace Center’s Beyond the Bell after school program designed to help Raceland-area children and teens. She said she made the pledge after receiving an email from center director Heather Benoit, which convinced her to get involved with the program, which kicked off in early-February.

“I had been just working a lot, but wanted to do something more this semester,” Bell said, who touted the irony that her last name is the same as title of the program. “Instead of sitting around in my dorm room in my free time, I decided to start working with children and teens that might need my help.”


Since getting involved in the program, Bell said she’s experienced a transformation. She said she’s changed her major from a non-school-based curriculum to school psychology.

“(The experience) has warmed my heart,” she said.

Benoit agreed and said that the Nicholls student has been a blessing to the program, touting that she’s doing things to inspire the young people she’s teaching.


Benoit said that Bell has a warm, loving personality, and that she’s been able to make an immediate connection with the young people who attend the program – something that people can’t easily do when working with young children.

“She instantly connected with our youth members, and has always been dedicated to them since the beginning of the program,” Benoit said. “She is a great asset and is a remarkable leader.”

At the Wallace Center, volunteers help children and teens with the homework, while also providing enrichment activities. The activities take place from Mon-Thurs and last from 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.


Since their inception, the program has grown, according to Benoit, who said that that growth has made she and other members of the community very proud.

Bell said her biggest joy from the program is seeing how much the students learn and grow after being in positive environments for prolonged periods of time.

She said that when she agreed to volunteer, she had no idea that she would enjoy the word that she’s doing as much as she does, touting that it’s something she wishes she’d have been doing.


Bell said that she loves the feeling when she sees a child get comfortable.

“I’ve gotten so much out of it,” she said. “Just getting to see the kids grow and become better readers has been amazing. I have also witnessed shy kids come out of their shell and become more sociable with others. My experience has been wonderful with this program.”

According to organizers with Beyond the Bell, more than 30 children come to the program daily, which means that stories like those of Kellee Bell are vital to keep things working smoothly.


Benoit said she currently has just a handful of regulars who volunteer at the center – a number that she would like to see grow in the very near future.

Benoit said anyone that wants to volunteer can email her at benoithe@lafourchegov.org. Interested parties may also visit the program’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/beyondthebellraceland for more information.

“It is such a good way to give back to the community,” Benoit said. “I would particularly tell college students in the education field to get involved because this really gives you a chance to work hands-on with some amazing kids.”


Nicholls State University student Kellee Bell has volunteered her time to help out at the Wallace Center’s Beyond the Bell program, which is designed to help children in the Raceland area. Since volunteering, Bell said she’s developed a new love for children. The Nicholls student has changed her major and touts that she wants to be in a position to help kids all throughout her adult life.

 

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