Shared Happiness

Here’s a description of the party Doreen organized in her own words:

I decided to organize a birthday party for the October Borns in a group home l used to work at. Two clients had their birthdays in the month of October and unfortunately due to COVID visitation restrictions, they were not able to have family and friends around to share their birthday with. Their cases managers and the care associate staff were in attendance. The birthday party was held on October 15, 2021, in Brooklyn  Park.

An invitation to the birthday party Doreen organized.

Doreen blows up balloons.

People hanging up decorations for the party

A scene of the party–a tabl;e with food and decorations.

What did Doreen accomplish?

• We shared happy moments through birthday singing and nice food that they got a chance to approve
• I learned that with a little will to do something from your heart you can achieve so much more that you would ever imagine. I picked up skills l would keep using for the rest of my life on both personal and career basis and this skills include: Good communication with the owner of the group home as well as everyone that l invited; Good time management as l kept time with the deadlines and in setting up for the party.
• I learned to ask for help from the care associates who willingly stepped in to help me make the day a success.
• I also learned to independently think of an idea and see it through, I was not sure l could pull the birthday party through, but it turned out just fine.

What is Doreen’s advice for someone who want to organize something similar?

• Plan early for this organizing activity. Start brainstorming about what you would like to do as it could likely happen that you may change your mind and it may be a little late to start over again.
• Consult your instructor ask him/her questions and let them know about your idea. Get their feedback and work your way through the project.
• Time management can either be your biggest challenge or your biggest skill learned from this activity, please be wise to make it the latter.
• Have time to engage with your classmates and find out what they are working on. I picked up a really good idea from a classmate last minute and it really helped me with my project (Hint: When taking my pictures l had a shot from above some stairs and that way their faces where not captured)
• Have an open mind and be flexible to change and adjust your project whenever possible. Some ideas are going to come in later and you could use them to make your project a success.
• I think that this activity is intended to be fun so go ahead and enjoy whatever you decide to work on, that is how you make it a success too. When you enjoy what you do, you tend to do it well and in good time.

Watch Doreen’s Video!