Elicia Nademin: Giving Back Joy and Hope Through Wishes
Elicia Nademin has always been passionate about helping others. As a psychologist, author, business owner and dedicated volunteer, she has always found ways to make a meaningful impact.
Elicia Nademin has always been passionate about helping others. As a psychologist, author, business owner and dedicated volunteer, she has always found ways to make a meaningful impact.
Most recently, she added Wish Granter to her list of roles after, joining Make-A-Wish Arizona in 2022. With her exceptional ability to understand others her natural empathy shines through her wish granting.
One of the reasons Elicia was inspired to sign up to volunteer with Make-A-Wish is because of the kindness others have gifted her in her personal life.
“I built my business on the generosity of strangers,” Elicia explains. “I knew wanted to make sure I was giving that back to my community.”
In search of the perfect opportunity, Elicia stumbled upon Make-A-Wish and its mission to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.
“I wanted to be involved with an organization that valued the time I had to give,” she said. After meeting with staff and volunteers from Make-A-Wish Arizona she knew it was the perfect way to give back.
“A wish means giving kids something to be excited about — a little glimmer of hope during what can be very dark times.”
Elicia Nademin
“As I began attending volunteer appreciation events and engaging in conversations about what it means to be a wish granter, I thought, ‘This is it. This is feels right.’”
Elicia is currently working on two wishes and is witnessing firsthand how deeply a wish continues to impact wish kids and their families long after it has been granted.
"When I think about what a wish means to families and kids, the first thought that comes to mind is that it makes them feel seen and cared for,” Elicia said. “It means giving them something to be excited about—a little glimmer of hope during what can be very dark times.”
One thing that surprised Elicia as a volunteer with Make-A-Wish Arizona was the misconception of who wishes are for.
“I had initially thought a wish was more of a last step for a child before passing. It was a really pleasant surprise to discover otherwise. That a wish is a lasting wish—not a last wish.”
This newfound understanding deepened Elicia's commitment to the mission.
“It really puts things in perspective. When I think I’m having a bad day, I just remember that my bad day is nothing compared to what some of these kids are going through.”
As Elicia continues her volunteer journey, she encourages anyone interested in volunteering with Make-A-Wish to take that first step.
“Wish Kids share their stories, it is incredibly moving. It pulls at your heartstrings and reinforces the impact of what wish granters do by making you feel, ‘I want to be part of this.’”