Make Your Life Magical: Bring laughter and joy to sick kids at Comer Children's Hospital

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Here it is ... the opportunity you’ve been looking for. Volunteer with Open Heart Magic to experience the best, most rewarding way to help a child in the hospital and provide memories that will last a lifetime. Through fun, personal magic shows you will engage and empower young patients facing critical medical situations to help them laugh again.

But don’t worry, no magic experience is required.

Open Heart Magic is - quite possibly - the best place to volunteer.
Why’s that? Because Open Heart Magic (OHM) volunteers create remarkable transformations in a matter of minutes; they witness first-hand the incredible impact magic has on a vulnerable child; and they bring joy and hope to where it’s needed most. Volunteer and you will help kids sit up, engage, laugh, scream in excitement, and remember just what it means to be a kid.

You will help sick kids get their magic back.

An OHM volunteer’s post-service feeling is indescribable - it’s truly magic. Bringing a smile to a sad girl’s face during tough treatment, or creating laughs in a teen’s scary, dark hospital room is a unique privilege. These are kids at their weakest and most vulnerable. And a personal magic show changes so much. It’s why OHM volunteers look forward to hospital visits so much; and why parents often follow them into the hall to genuinely thank them for visiting their child.

And the training and preparation is world class.
You can imagine walking down a hospital hallway to be a unique experience. You don’t know what to expect. We have you covered. You will learn how to perform close-up magic, professional sleight-of-hand, and how to be an engaging character, all to reconnect a child with that youthful energy and joy that makes a kid, a kid.

But the magic is just a small part of your preparation. Working on the front lines when kids are trying to turn the corner is an honor and that’s why OHM Trainers will teach you how to keep yourself and, most importantly, the kids safe. After training, you will have the confidence to work with children no matter where they may be physically or emotionally. Meeting kids where they are is so important, and why you will learn how adapting the magic - so anyone can be a part of the joy and wonder that comes from a Bedside Magic interaction.

What it takes to be a volunteer:
Energy, self-deprecating humor, dedication, and charisma. These are the qualities of a great OHM volunteer. Magic experience is not required, but a commitment to learn the craft and safely bring joy to a child’s hospital bedside is. For this reason, every OHM volunteer must complete OHM’s Magic University - a rigorous, all-encompassing training - in order to become a certified Hospital Magician volunteer.

Magic University is designed to empower you with the confidence and skills necessary to help sick kids in any situation. You will learn how to safely work within a medical environment; how to navigate key hospital protocols; how to adapt to a patient’s needs and situation; and how to create moments of joy and laughter through close-up professional magic.

OHM’s Bedside Magic(r) programs work because they meet kids where they are - no matter what. As a certified volunteer you will be prepared to confidently work in these critical situations.

Become a Hospital Magician Volunteer at Comer Children's

• University of Chicago Comer Children's is located at 5721 South Maryland Ave, Chicago IL 60637
• Service at Comer Children's is scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 5:45pm, and Saturdays at 1:00pm
• Service is a set schedule with limited spots, and while a training invite is not guaranteed, the more flexible a schedule and hospital preference is the more spots OHM has available. Please consider selecting as many hospitals that may interest you.
• Chicago’s Magic University training typically starts late-August/early-September. The training is a mixture of in-person sessions (once per week at OHM’s downtown office), virtual sessions, and independent work that goes through mid-November.
• Due to organizational resources, training happens once per year; it is common for some to wait several months before a Magic University begins.

What does OHM look for:

• A reliable schedule for consistent service so kids expecting you are not let down
• Dedicated, charismatic, fun, outgoing individuals with a sense of humor
• Sensitivity and social skills to work with kids and families during this important time
• Interest in and commitment to learning and mastering the art of magic so you’re confident and can have fun
• Performance experience - in any area - is highly regarded to understand that anything amazing requires a little practice
• Previous volunteer experience is highly regarded so you understand the commitment of service and its power

Other requirements:

• Commitment to learning the hospital environment, navigating the protocol, mastering the magic, and being present at all scheduled service times is critical.
• Commitment to at least one year - every other week - is required. You will need to consistently provide service every other week.
• Must be at least 21 or older due to the nature of service and hospital requirements.

APPLY TODAY and help kids in the hospital laugh.
Service will put everything into perspective. You will find energy and a purpose when you work with Open Heart Magic - after all, it is, quite possibly, the best place to volunteer.

If you are interested in becoming a Hospital Magician and be responsible for helping hundreds of kids laugh and smile in the hospital then please click "APPLY NOW." You'll receive an email with more information and the application to fill out and return.

Thanks so much for your interest in Open Heart Magic, we can't wait to hear from you.

Learn more at www.openheartmagic.org.