Gamerrrrssss assseeemmmbblllleee!!
Ever wanted to get involved with Gamers Outreach programs and help make life better for kids going through hospitalization? Now’s your chance!
We’re rallying our fellow gamers to join us as “Player 2” volunteers in a select number of hospitals around the country, including…
- C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
- Children’s Hospital of Michigan (Detroit, Michigan)
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (Los Angeles, California)
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital (Chicago, Illinois)
- St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
- Texas Children’s (Houston, TX)
- Doernbecher Children’s (Portland, OR)
- Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children (Huntsville, Alabama)
- Blank Children’s Hospital (Des Moines, IA)
- Seattle Children’s (Seattle, WA)
Since announcing the initiative in 2015, we’ve been slowly rolling out the program to a handful of hospitals – collecting feedback from volunteers, patients, and healthcare staff along the way.
Not familiar with the program? No sweat! We’ve not yet created a dedicated page on our website aside from blog posts, so here’s a quick summary:
Player 2 is an initiative that pairs video game enthusiasts with volunteer positions at hospitals. As part of the program, gamers have the opportunity to apply the knowledge they’ve acquired through gaming in a manner that supports patients and staff within healthcare facilities.
Responsibilities may include…
- Distributing games to patients throughout a hospital.
- Providing minor tech support for issues that arise with equipment (game updates, connectivity troubleshooting, installing software, etc.)
- Playing games with kids!
As a volunteer, you’ll be required to commit ~3 hours per week to visiting with patients over the course of 4 – 6 months. All volunteers will ultimately need to pass the hospital’s qualification process, which requires an in-person interview, background check, immunization shots, and general training to interact with patients. Weekday availability is also a plus.
While we’re specifically looking for individuals with extensive gaming knowledge, it’s important to note that responsibilities may also be non-gaming related during your time as a volunteer (e.g. cleaning toys or gaming materials, assisting kids in playrooms, helping children with arts & crafts). Day-to-day tasks vary depending on the needs of patients.
Still with us? Great! Here’s what you need to do to get involved:
- Step 1: Fill out our volunteer application. While applications can be submitted at any time, some of the hospitals we work with have specific seasonal volunteer windows. The sooner you apply, the sooner we’ll be able to get you connected with a hospital!
- Step 2: After submitting an application, you’ll receive an automated response confirming we’ve received your form. A representative from Gamers Outreach will reach out within 5 – 10 business days to inform you of opportunities in your area. In the event we receive too many applications, or your application doesn’t fit within a hospital’s current needs, we’ll invite you to apply again at a future time and keep you informed of other opportunities.
- Step 3: Hospitals generally host volunteer information sessions to provide you with an idea of what life is like in the hospital. Attending this session is mandatory for all applicants, but does not equate to a hard volunteer commitment. Should a Player 2 opportunity be available, a team member from Gamers Outreach will provide you with information on attending one of these learning sessions.
- Step 4: After you’ve learned about life in the hospital, a representative from Gamers Outreach will follow-up to confirm whether or not becoming a Player 2 Volunteer is still of interest, and discuss next steps for onboarding!
For any gamer who wants to give back, Player 2 is a great way to make a difference. Player 2 volunteers help normalize the hospital experience by ensuring kids have access to equipment and socialization during treatment. Player 2 volunteers become a resource for parents, patients, and hospital staff who need help from gamers to ensure kids have access to recreation and activities! It’s a great opportunity for us gamers to apply our skills, and help others level up!
We hope you’ll consider joining us at the hospital!