“>A Message from Joy Olaes Surprenant, Founder and President

Catching Joy is fun. Catching Joy is simple. Catching Joy is important. Catching Joy is necessary. Catching Joy is good. Catching Joy brings joy to the recipients. Catching Joy brings double the joy to the givers. Catching Joy starts with children. Catching Joy is contagious.

Catching Joy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that promotes volunteerism in pre-school and elementary aged children. Our mission is to teach children that “catching joy” means giving to others. We guide children to use their skills and talents and empowers them to make a positive change in the world. Catching Joy’s premise is that by supporting young children doing charitable works, we are raising more caring, compassionate, confident and joyful children who grow up to be productive, responsible and happy adults. This counteracts materialism, self-pity, low self-esteem and depression. My hope is that Catching Joy starts in the home and spreads in a ripple effect.  

As an early childhood educator and mother of Maxwell, my five-year-old son, I am committed to teaching and caring for children.  Maxwell is the artist, inspiration and heart of Catching Joy.  I want to share with him and all children and their families the joy of volunteering and giving to others.  In my community and on the Internet, I found a lack of resources for volunteering with young children. Many parents have expressed to me that they are interested in getting their children involved with charity work, but they do not know where to begin. These parents are also looking to participate in philanthropic activities themselves. This is where Catching Joy begins…

I propose to organize hands-on community service projects that children and their parents can do. These special projects include creating birthday cards for children in shelter homes, making valentines for veterans, singing at nursing homes, running a lemonade stand fundraiser, joining a charity walk, cleaning up a park, making art projects out of recyclable materials, collecting canned goods, and hosting toys/books/clothing drives. I want to expose children to various charitable causes because they are all important, but families can participate in whichever events they choose. In turn, the world may recognize and appreciate that young children, with their goodness, energy, enthusiasm, creativity, and idealism can make a difference.