Homework Helpers members juggle volunteering at the various elementary schools in Carmel with their own life and work. The schedule, in which the volunteers follow, is controlled by whoever is available that week. Recently, co-president and junior Brooke Hosfeld has not been able to find the time.

“I have not been able to volunteer lately because I’ve had to work a lot, unfortunately,” Hosfeld said.

According to Hosfeld, she misses volunteering at the schools, and she is beginning to make time to volunteer again.

Furthermore, the kids get excited whenever Hosfeld gets to come. The volunteers get to know the kids well and the kids at the after-school program develop bonds with the volunteer. One instance Hosfeld remembers is when she first volunteered.

“I was standing around, and a group of the kids saw the neon volunteer shirt I was wearing and came over to me, grabbing my hand and having me come play with them. Immediately the relationships were there, and I continued to build the relationships with those kids for the rest of the year,” Hosfeld said.

The club will continue to run itself, and the students will manage their own schedule and hours. According to sponsor Leslie McCarty, the school is only an outlet for students to volunteer at other elementary schools.

“Unless (the students) need me to monitor them, I don’t even keep track of (their hours). They keep track of it on their own through the service program, the Carmel Parks and Recreation,” McCarty said.

No new developments have been made for the club yet, but as the end of the year is nearing, Hosfeld says that she plans to talk to co-president and junior Abby Fields about new changes for the next school year.

Hosfeld will continue to volunteer until the end of the year.

She said, “I’m kind of a friend and mentor to (the kids) as I help them with their problems and play with them–that’s the hope, at least.”