The Cheerful Helpers Courier

The Cheerful Helpers Courier - August 2026

Meet our New Teacher

Jackie Rodriquez, MA

Hello, Cheerful Helpers Families!

I am so happy to meet you and grateful for the opportunity to serve and support your family this year. My name is Jackie Rodriguez, and I am excited to be joining the Cheerful Helpers community as your child’s teacher.

My heart for special education comes from a deep belief that every child deserves to feel safe, understood, valued, and celebrated for who they are. Over the past six years, I have had the joy of supporting students with disabilities ranging from mild to severe across a variety of special education settings, including special day class, resource, and alternate curriculum programs. Each experience has strengthened my love for this work.

My passion for special education is both professional and personal. I love creating a classroom where children feel cared for, supported, and excited to learn. My hope is to help build a strong foundation for each child’s growth through individualized support that honors who they are. I believe growth happens best when we work together — planting seeds, nurturing them with consistency, care, and encouragement, and celebrating each step along the way.

I value open communication with families and want every family to feel seen, heard, and valued as we partner together in your child’s learning journey. I look forward to meeting you all and working together to support a beautiful year of growth.

Warmly,

Jackie Rodriguez

My Volunteer Experience at Cheerful Helpers

Osiris Morales, BA

Volunteering at camp with Cheerful Helpers was a meaningful experience that allowed me to learn more about working with children and being a part of a supportive community. I am
beyond grateful to Cheerful Helpers for opening their doors and allowing me to volunteer. My experience at Cheerful Helpers opened a door in my heart that I did not know existed. From the staff to the children, everyone made me feel welcomed and appreciated.

I was excited to volunteer because it gave me an opportunity to step outside of my usual routine and interact with children in a different environment. I also wanted to learn from staff and gain
more experience that connects to my studies in Human Services. Throughout my time at camp, I was able to see how important it is to create a safe environment where children can feel
comfortable being themselves.

One of the things that stood out to me the most was seeing the relationships between staff and the children. The staff were patient, caring, and supportive, and they made sure that the children felt included. Being around the children also reminded me how small moments can make a difference. Whether it was participating in activities, encouraging a child, or simply being present. I learned that being a supportive adult can have a meaningful impact on a child’s
experience.

Most importantly my experience with Cheerful Helpers reminded me why I chose to study Human Services. I want to build a career where I can support children, families, and help connect them with resources and support they need. This experience gave me an even greater appreciation for the work organizations like Cheerful Helpers do in the community.

I am truly grateful for the opportunity. I came into the experience hoping to learn, but I left with so much more. I created meaningful memories, learned from the children and staff, and gained a deeper understanding of the importance of compassion and community. Cheerful Helpers will
always be an experience that I carry with me as I continue my journey in Human Services.

Tuesday September 1 - Thursday September 3: Intern Orientation
Tuesday September 6: First Day of School
Saturday September 12: Alumni Support Group (LINK), 9 am - 10 am
Monday September 21: No School Yom Kippur
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Fluffy Slime Activity

We brought back an activity from the archives. Making slime is a camp staple and in this video Sam and Rony show you how!