Becoming more connected through volunteering

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This article was published 03/09/2019 (2469 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For Ginny Twomey, volunteering is a way to battle complacency.

“It’s always been important to me to learn,” the 69-year-old says. “We learn from each other as human beings, and that’s what I like about volunteering. There’s an unpredictable element. You never know what a child’s going to say, or an adult for that matter.”

Twomey volunteers twice a week at Newcomers Employment and Education Development Services (NEEDS) Inc., an organization on Notre Dame Avenue that provides services and support to immigrant and refugee children and youth, and their families, in an effort to help them settle into Canadian society.

Twomey volunteers one morning every week as a classroom assistant and helps a NEEDS teacher deliver curriculum, supervise children and aid with English speaking and life skills.

She also volunteers Saturday afternoons with the organization’s site-based mentorship program, which gives young people an opportunity to take part in fun and educational activities while working on their language skills.

“At my age, I really enjoy being with kids,” Twomey says, adding that working with newcomers “makes me feel like a more connected citizen.”

Judy Chan started volunteering at NEEDS one year ago after she had positive stints teaching English in an orphanage in Taiwan and at an after-school program in Greece.

She helps students with their homework in the after-school program once a week.

“It’s just a very enjoyable, happy environment where everyone is there to help each other,” says Chan, 25.

“I like working with students and seeing their expressions and the excitement that they have when they learn something new.”

Chan’s interest in helping newcomers is personal. Her parents were born and raised in Cambodia, and fled the country as refugees. Eventually, they settled in Canada.

“They worked hard to make life in Canada as easy as possible for my brother and me, and it’s amazing what they did, considering they had to start from scratch when they were 40,” Chan says.

“It’s because of (places) like NEEDS that they were able to integrate into Canadian society.”

Chan’s experiences at NEEDS have affirmed her decision to teach English as an additional language professionally. She started a program at Red River College last week.

“On a couple of occasions, the students have pointed out that they consider me a very good teacher,” Chan says. “It’s a huge compliment, a huge boost of my confidence and (it) reminds me that I’m on the right track with helping these students.”

Chan says volunteering at NEEDS is gratifying: “You feel rewarded immediately because the students approach you, want to get to know you and appreciate you.”

Twomey agrees.

“It’s a wonderful organization, and I’m really grateful for the time I spend there,” she says.

NEEDS relies on the assistance of more than 200 volunteers to serve 2,000 clients annually, volunteer co-ordinator Fechie De Guzman says.

“It would be hard for us to deliver the support (our clients) need if not for the volunteers that come in and help,” De Guzman says.

NEEDS is looking for more volunteers. Responsible, reliable, patient, positive people who are interested in supporting immigrant and refugee children and youth can contact De Guzman for details. Call 204-940-1279 or email volunteers@needsinc.ca.

If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@gmail.com.