During National Volunteer Month, PALS is celebrating and honoring each volunteer that contributes to our mission. As a volunteer-led organization, PALS relies on the dedication of volunteers to make our programs happen. Sharaf was a volunteer at PALS Spring Break, a pilot program in partnership with Virginia Commonwealth University. Here, he shares about his experience of being in community with people with Down syndrome and what he learned.

It was my pleasure to have the chance to participate in PALS Spring Break. PALS has a mission of creating inclusive camp experiences for people with and without Down syndrome to change attitudes, transform lives, and inspire a world of belonging. Let me share about my daily experiences at PALS Spring Break with you!

Day 1: Today was the first day of my volunteering trip for spring break. I am traveling from Richmond, VA, all the way to Orlando, FL. It was a 15-hour ride with volunteers from VCU whom I got to know more on the trip. Volunteering with a non-profit that supports individuals with Down Syndrome, like PALS, was a big thing to me personally. I have never been around an organization with this goal and commitment which builds my curiosity to know more about how they work and achieve their goals. We arrived at our destination in the evening and were greeted by the staff, had dinner, and started some reflections.

Day 2: I woke up early, had breakfast, and started following the schedule. We had an orientation and introduction to the program. We learned about individuals with Down syndrome and how we could best support each person during the week. We introduced ourselves more to the staff and other volunteers, jumping right into decorating, assigning future tasks, and reflections. I was excited to be a part of this amazing opportunity, to become friends and make a difference in the lives of individuals with Down syndrome.

Day 3: Today was my first day interacting with the individuals with Down syndrome whom I will be referring to as “Partners” and VCU volunteers as “Peers” from now on. We spent the day at the Airbnb and settled in. We had a homemade lunch that we all contributed to making, both Peers and Partners. This was the starting point of how we started building chemistry and connecting with each other. We had a fun karaoke night afterwards! It was such a rewarding experience to see the joy on everyone’s faces as we participated in these activities.

Day 4: Today, we went on a trip to Universal Studios - full of excitement! It was a great opportunity to enjoy time together and have fun. In the beginning, I was nervous about the trip. But, as we kicked in the trip I was amazed by everyone’s curiosity and enthusiasm. It was a great reminder to never underestimate the abilities of individuals with disabilities. This trip was an opportunity for all of the volunteers to learn about our Partners’ interests and talents. I personally had a lot of fun hanging out with my Partner just as I would with my friends back home.

Day 5: Today, we spent the day in the resort for a chill relaxing day in the water. Everyone was having fun and the highlight of the day was how PALS was taking the attention of other individuals in the resort. As we were a big group, many people who were in the resort were curious about the program and one of them offered to buy us lunch after learning about his connection with Down syndrome. This was a reminder of the kindness in the world we live, the importance of volunteering and making a change. After the resort, we went for dinner and mini golf. I was surprised by the mini-golf skills my Partner had! He was a very good golfer. Having my partner in that activity was a blessing and he taught me a lot.

Day 6: Today, we went to the Island of Adventure. This was our second trip of the week. It was similar to day 4, but the difference was we knew exactly what to expect and what our Partners' interests were. We had a lot of fun and enjoyed the experience. Finally, we had our last reflection where we all shared our gratitude for each other and appreciated the company of our partners. It was an emotional day.

Day 7: Today was our last day of volunteering. The Partners’ families started coming into the Airbnb and we said our goodbyes. Many families showed how grateful they were to us for giving the time to be part of this program. It was all worth it. We had formed such strong connections with our Partners over the course of the week.

This week gave me the chance to experience living in an American household, learning how to treat each other, sharing space, and learning how to handle each situation in a respectful way. This helped me better understand American culture and the differences within cultures. This trip gave me the chance to make good friends from VCU with whom I share some of the same interests. PALS made me feel the responsibility of bringing what I learned back home with me to Yemen. I was thankful to the PALS Staff for answering all my curious questions about the program and how they managed to achieve this huge success. It was my pleasure to network with a nonprofit organization like PALS.

Overall, my Alternative Spring Break trip was an incredible experience. It was amazing to see the impact of our work on the individuals with Down Syndrome and the community as a whole. I learned so much about their abilities and resilience, and I am grateful for the opportunity. This trip has inspired me to continue volunteering and advocating for individuals with disabilities.

Best wishes,

Sharaf Alkhazan