Determined to not let this hold her back, Reid decided to take matters into her own hands and stepped up to be the Dayton chapter leader.
Reid has since garnered a rotation of 60 local volunteers who host monthly workshops based on the passions and talents of the leaders. Previous workshops have ranged from baking to making slime with the children.
“I grew up with just my father and three brothers, and it’s nice to see that I’m able to help kids who are in that exact situation,” said Reid. “I think it’s changed me for the better. Working with the kids has been awesome; it really opens your eyes and humbles you.”
Reid described how the Air Force core values have applied to her volunteer service.
“It’s all about service before self; it’s all about putting these kids before us every single time. A big thing that they value is consistency. They want to be there every single month. It means a lot to me that we do that,” said Reid.
The children that they serve are all under 6 years old and come from all different backgrounds. Having this special time with the women at Chicktime gives the children valuable mentorship opportunities and sets them up for success in the future.
With aspirations to start her own non-profit organization, Reid continues to cultivate a positive experience for both the volunteers and the children.
“I’ve met so many strong and unique people and to get to put these kids in a situation where they’re being influenced by those people is awesome to me,” she said.
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