Volunteer Spotlight
We caught up with Amber Boissonneault, a volunteer and supporter of Kids In Crisis.
How did you hear about Kids In Crisis?
I learned about Kids In Crisis when I moved to Greenwich (from Manhattan, with my husband Jim Kramer, and kindergartner son, Charlie). I met Kristen Forlini, who is very involved with nonprofits in town. We served on one committee together, which I enjoyed. She then invited me to join the Spring Gala committee, and that’s how I got to know Kids In Crisis.
I’m currently co-chairing the 2024 Spring Gala with Sean McMurty, which is so much fun, but I do prefer to be more hands-on. During one of my visits, I noticed the campus grounds needed a little TLC. My mom is an outstanding gardener, so I caught the gardening bug from her. With the knowledge I learned growing up surrounded by beautiful gardens, I started working on creating a space full of plants and shrubs to attract birds, butterflies, and insects. The curiosities of a garden are great for kids, and I also think it’s fun for staff to see the transformation.
Working in a garden is also a social experience for me, even when I’m doing it at home. Everyone in the neighborhood is going for a walk, and they stop and talk. The same happens here at Kids In Crisis, where I can meet everyone. And in passing, we chat say “hi” and I get to know everyone’s name and their role with the organization.
I was connected with Andy Gill, who is so fantastic. Together with Andy, we choose about an hour a week when I can do something garden-related with the residents. We try and plan something seasonal and I usually let the resident’s vibe direct the time together.
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Andy and I had planned a day over the summer to plant flowers, but it was just too hot to garden. I noticed one of the kids was interested in the herb garden, so we picked some mint and some lemon thyme and brought it inside. The kids had a blast making mint lemonade slushies. And it was just a super fun experience and a nice break for the kids. It was a nice break for the counselors, too!
The vegetable garden was beautiful and plentiful this year. There were tons of cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, and string beans. During my weekly visits to the garden with the kids, they were more interested in the vegetables than the flowers. “So, what should we do with those vegetables?” I asked them. And that’s how I got started cooking with the kids. We made parmesan roasted zucchini, tomato & basil & mozzarella salad, cucumber salsa and lots more. It was a fun way to expose them to flavors they hadn’t experienced before.
When the fall season arrived and the garden was quiet, Andy and I discussed garden-related activities we could continue throughout the year. For Halloween, I brought in some pumpkins and spent the afternoon carving with the kids and counselors. It was great to watch the kids who had never carved a pumpkin carve their first masterpiece. Around Thanksgiving, I brought in a bunch of cut flowers and vases. Because many of the kids were going home for Thanksgiving, they made flower arrangements to place on their dinner table. It was so surprising to see which kids connected. There was a young boy who just absolutely loved making the arrangements; he did such a beautiful job and was totally connected to it. That’s been fun for me to watch, and it’s also great because the counselors enjoy the activity as well.
While I garden during my free time, I also do impromptu activities with the kids when they have free time outside. Some of the kids staying at the shelter don’t speak English. One girl saw me weeding, and I could see she was curious. And I said, “Do you want to join me?” A counselor helped us communicate and it turned out she also loves to garden so she spent about an hour weeding with me. We couldn’t talk to each other but just enjoyed the therapeutic experience of digging in the dirt. Being here at Kids In Crisis has led to so many things. I have had such great experiences with the kids. I love it. It absolutely fills my soul.
I came in not knowing anything about Kids In Crisis, and it can feel like such a veiled nonprofit. I can appreciate why, but I wish more people could see the amazing work happening here. The kids never tell me why they’re at Kids In Crisis, and I never ask. There’s no reason I need to know. It’s those small moments that mean so much. And I wish more people knew about the impact Kids In Crisis can make in a child’s life.
In our chat with Amber Boissonneault, her passion and commitment shone so brightly. From rejuvenating the shelter’s gardens to cooking with the kids, Amber’s journey is a beautiful illustration of the power of volunteer work. She reminds us that the small moments – a shared smile over a garden-fresh meal or the silent camaraderie of gardening – can make a profound impact. Her story is an open invitation to anyone looking to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children. By joining Kids In Crisis, you’re not just volunteering; you’re becoming part of a community that celebrates every small victory and cherishes every moment of connection. Your involvement could turn into a life-changing experience, not just for the kids you help but for you as well.
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON VOLUNTEERING
