Tyler used to volunteer with persons with disabilities during high school, and HOPE has helped to further his service in college. Tyler joined HOPE because he has always enjoyed working with children. In addition, Tyler notes “HOPE provides a meaningful escape from the stresses of being a college student.” How so? Tyler says that “the children with special needs involved with HOPE always remind me of how important the simple things in life are.” To Tyler those simple things include compassion, sharing, and empathy—traits that one should never outgrow.

Tyler acknowledged that the HOPE experience had to grow on his buddy and him: “Initially, it was difficult for me to interact with Caiden from the start, but I have gradually built a connection with him and have noticed an increased willingness in him to play games and work on IEP goals.” Indeed, HOPE is about building a connection—and sense of t rust—between two often segregated and seemingly isolated populations, those of children with special needs and college students. To this effect, Tyler notes that “Without HOPE, I would have never known about The Special Children’s School in Winston-Salem, NC. Luckily, however, HOPE has given me the opportunity to work with children with disabilities, and I have consequently nurtured this connection and responsibility to helping these children with special needs each week.”

These connections only keep growing stronger for Tyler. Tyler is drawn back each week because “HOPE provides fun and exciting opportunities to work with children with disabilities and to directly improve their lives; seeing the children with special needs progress from week to week is a very fulfilling experience.” Like many Hopesters, Tyler is also interested in medicine down the road: “I have always been interested in medicine, and I have seriously considered becoming a pediatrician after working with the kids served by my HOPE Service Chapter. More than anything, however, HOPE has reminded me how much I enjoy interacting with children and people in general and how I would like to incorporate this into my future career.”