FAQ
Volunteering
The process typically takes about 1 month, depending on the timing of our training sessions. Once you are on board as a volunteer, though, we usually put you to work right away!
Commitment levels vary in terms of time, depending on your volunteer position. Wish Granters can sometimes put in two or three hours a week, especially when a wish is a complex one, or they can spend less than an hour a week on wish work. The same applies to other volunteer positions. Office volunteers need to have a flexible schedule to accommodate daytime assignments. Fundraising volunteers may choose to work on only one special event each year, which may require more time especially when the event is being held.
We offer all kinds of volunteer experiences from wish granting, public speaking, event planning and execution, helping out with office work, press release writing, and/or helping with our Wishes & Wedding Programs, or our Kids helping Kids Program.
Of all our volunteer positions, wish granting offers the highest level of involvement with wish children and their families. Even so, Wish Granters meet a family at the beginning and end of a wish, but may rely on telephone contacts during the rest of the wish process. Our emphasis is on delivering a one-of-a-kind wish experience.
We know that the work we do has a high emotional content. Some people would like to help because they relate to our mission, but would prefer little or no involvement directly with families. In such cases, we suggest the positions of Fundraising Volunteer, Office Volunteer, Web Site Help or Writing Press Releases. All our volunteer positions contribute equally to our mission of granting wishes!
Please contact Rosemary (401) 624-ROSE (7673) or Rosemary@RosemarysWishKids.org. She will either mail you a volunteer application or send it to you electronically.
Simply complete our volunteer application and send it to our office. Processing begins as soon as we receive your application. Applications should be returned to Rosemary’s Wish Kids, Inc. (office), 161 Furey Ave., Tiverton, RI 02878
After we’ve received your application, we will run a background check and follow up with the references you provide us on your application. Please make sure your information is complete. This helps us move your application along quickly.
You will be notified of the next new volunteer orientation and training session. This training is designed to provide you with knowledge about Rosemary’s Wish Kids, Inc., its work and your role as a volunteer. New volunteer orientation and training sessions are held on an as needed basis with specific volunteer position training sessions held as needed
Kids Referrals
Nothing could be further from the truth! Our requirement is they have a life threatening illness. Cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, cancer and heart conditions are some of the many illnesses which doctors have approved for wishes.
Many doctors have our forms on file and refer the children/young adult directly. Anyone can make a referral by calling our office or click the “Contact Us” button at the bottom of the page.
Their physician must medically qualify each child/young adult that is referred.
The most popular wishes are Disney World, computers and shopping sprees. Other wishes are: trips to meet visit relatives, go to concerts, a playhouse, swing set and much more.
The generosity of our communities through donations from individuals, businesses and organizations, fund-raisers organized by others to benefit Rosemary’s Wish Kids, Inc. (RWK) and grants from charitable foundations. RWK does not receive state or government funds.
Once the referral is medically approved, the Wish Coordinator will assign a volunteer Wish Team to meet with the child/young adult and their families, talk about their wish and see how we can make it come true!
Areas Covered
Rosemary’s Wish Kids, Inc. covers all communities towns, and cities in Rhode Island. It also covers parts of Southeastern Massachusetts areas in:
ACUSHNET
ATTLEBORO
BELLINGHAM
BERKLEY
BLACKSTONE
DARTMOUTH
FAIRHAVEN
FALL RIVER
FRANKLIN
FREETOWN
MILLVILLE
NEW BEDFORD
NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH
PLAINVILLE
REHOBOTH
SEEKONK
SOMERSET
SWANSEA
TAUNTON
UXBRIDGE
WESTPORT
WRENTHAM