Making a difference, building a career

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Trevor Thomson and Veronica Wong regularly volunteer at St. Amant Centre. (PHIL.HOSSACK@FREEPRESS.MB.CA)

They may be young, but Veronica Wong, 20, and Trevor Thomson, 17, already know the value in giving back to their community. Both have volunteered for the past five years at St. Amant Centre, a non-profit organization serving more than 1,000 Manitobans living with developmental disabilities.

While Wong currently volunteers in the structured play program -- a one-on-one program in which a volunteer spends time playing with a client and then taking that person for a walk. She said it's exciting to see the progress made by clients.

"Because it is a one-on-one program, I'm noticing more progress because I can monitor it directly," said Wong, a third-year University of Manitoba biology student.

"I've learned a lot from this experience. The opportunity to deal with individuals with developmental disabilities, I think, has made me a better person and certainly interacting with the staff and volunteers, I've become more sociable, more open and my confidence has gone up. I think all those changes are fantastic."

For Thomson, a triplet who will start his first year at the University of Winnipeg this fall, volunteering is a family affair. Each Saturday, he participates in different recreation programs offered by St. Amant, volunteering alongside his two brothers. The triplets started their volunteering career through their catechism class, helping out at a retirement residence.

A rampant winter flu bug forced the residence to restrict the number of people entering the facility to prevent the spread of illness and the volunteers were forced out. Recognizing how much her boys enjoyed volunteering their time, Thomson's mother asked if they wanted to volunteer instead at St. Amant. All three said yes immediately.

"There's not really a lot of help for families with children with disabilities," explained Thomson, noting that he came to St. Amant with previous experience working with a developmentally disabled classmate.

"They do need help because it can be very tough on them and I believe that St. Amant can really give them the help they need."

Wong said staff are always close by, should a volunteer require assistance, and volunteers receive great orientation and training. With aspirations for a career in the health-care field, she has no doubt that the knowledge she has gained will go a long way in helping her achieve those goals.

"I get so much more out of it than I could ever put in," she said. "I've met the most amazing people -- from the staff, to the other volunteers and the clients. I've also met some of the parents (of the clients) and they tell me constantly how great it is that the volunteers are here because we give the clients the opportunity to do more activities.

"It's really fun."

There are many volunteer opportunities available at St. Amant. If you would like more information or would like to volunteer, call 258-7048 or visit www.stamant.mb.ca. All new volunteers are required to attend an orientation session and have police record and child-abuse registry checks.

If you know a special volunteer who strives to make the community a better place to live, please contact Erin Madden at erinmadden@shaw.ca.

Volunteers needed

Volunteer opportunities advertised in the Winnipeg area. For more information about these listings, please contact the person/organization directly. You may also call (204) 477-5180 ext. 221 to set up an appointment to see an interviewer at Volunteer Manitoba. Visit www.mbvolunteer.ca for other available volunteer opportunities.

-- ASL Society needs volunteers to help out at the ALS Society of Manitoba's "Drive for Life Golf Classic", Sept. 9, noon-6 p.m., Bel Acres Golf & Country Club. Lunch,11:30 a.m. and dinner, 6 p.m. To volunteer or for more information call Brian at 837-1270 or e-mail bcampbell@alsmb.ca.

-- ALS Society of Manitoba needs Yard Sale volunteers to move everything from Sentinel Self Storage to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Aug. 25-27, starting at 9 a.m. Aug. 28, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. to set up, take down, horse traders, cashiers, food services people. Information: 831-1510, HOPE@alsmb.ca, 837-1270 or bcampbell@alsmb.ca.

-- English Language Centre, University of Manitoba needs volunteers who are willing to meet and visit with international students, improve their opportunity for success, an hour commitment per week. Call Nancy, 474-8664 or chislett@cc.umanitoba.ca.

-- River East Council for Seniors is looking for volunteers for their daily hello program. Volunteers phone from their own homes on a daily/weekly basis to isolated seniors. Information: Debbie, 667-6812. East/North Kildonan area.

-- Parkside Meal Program needs volunteers to assist with their noon meal on a casual basis, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Serving, clean-up. Information: Debbie, 667-6812. North Kildonan area.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 23, 2010 B2