Some volunteer experiences really leave an impression.

That was the case for Ali Rock on the day she met nine-year-old Devon. Devon was with his family at the Max Brenner Bright Space® in California the day Ali, a Bright Horizons® center director and Foundation volunteer, arrived at the Bright Space with picture frames for the children to decorate.

“He was taking his time and putting a lot of effort into getting his frame just the way he wanted it,” recalls Ali. “At the end of the night, he came over to me and asked if I would take a picture of him and his family to put in his new frame. They had never taken a picture together. I nearly cried.” Ali went back the next day and took pictures of the families.

For Ali, such experiences reinforce the power of what she calls, “the privilege of helping.” She says she’s grateful to be a part of something so special, and feels lucky to meet so many very special families.

“Creating Bright Spaces and volunteering to make a difference in the lives of children is something truly remarkable and life changing,” she says. “It was amazing to see how something as simple as decorating a picture frame could have such a powerful meaning for a child with so little.”

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