Staff Spotlight: Hayden Huffaker

When I was a volunteer at Centro Infantil de Los Angeles in 2014, one of the teachers was getting married. She invited the volunteers to come. All of the volunteers were from different countries, and we had never been to a Mexican wedding. Our experience was amazing - there was dancing, Mariachi music, laughter, fireworks, and food!

It's easy to get caught up in your workload and all the things you have on your to-do list. Since being at Centro Infantil de Los Angeles, I've had to learn to take time to slow down and enjoy what's going on --- whether it's hanging out with the volunteers, helping the teachers, or playing the kids.

Our returning volunteers are typically the ones who have built strong relationships with the children, their families, as well as the teachers. It's been amazing to witness these relationships form and continue to grow. One of our volunteers was asked to be the godmother of a student and will return next year for her confirmation!

One of the best things about our volunteer program is that you can come for as long as you want. Most volunteers come for a couple of months, but we've had people stay up to a year! I would encourage more volunteers to stay with us long-term. That way you can invest in the daycare and the San Miguel community, experience the culture, and learn the language.

Centro Infantil de Los Angeles is a little family! The first time I volunteered here in 2014 I was amazed at how quickly I bonded with my housemates, and later, with the teachers and children. We spent time together doing Zumba, grocery shopping, learning to cook, going out, and exploring the city.

There are a lot of factors in being successful, but for me, I think it's important to create an environment where people feel cared for, listened to, and respected. The care and respect we have for one another make teamwork possible, and it makes our organization run smoothly for everyone involved.