Building essential literacy skills, building connections

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Myrna Donald volunteers with United for Literacy because it aligns with her values.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/10/2023 (965 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Myrna Donald volunteers with United for Literacy because it aligns with her values.

“To have a strong democracy, it is essential that the populace be well educated,” Donald says. “Ignorance leads to uninformed decisions and those can lead us to very dark places.”

A national organization that operates a variety of programs across Canada, United for Literacy recruits and trains volunteers who assist children, youth and adults to acquire essential literacy and numeracy skills.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
                                Myrna Donald (right) enjoyed her work with United for Literacy so much she got her friend Charleen Frenette (left) involved.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Myrna Donald (right) enjoyed her work with United for Literacy so much she got her friend Charleen Frenette (left) involved.

It also partners with community-based organizations to help them establish and deliver literacy programs that meet the specific needs of their communities and participants.

Donald started volunteering with the organization four years ago.

Each week on Zoom, the retiree meets with a group of newcomers who are learning English as an additional language. Together, they work on building vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation.

Donald uses a range of material in the group, including articles, poems, lyrics, podcasts and YouTube clips.

She and the participants discuss materials, which often introduce newcomers to local traditions and culture (such as Festival du Voyageur) and review practical information (such as how to select proper winter boots).

Volunteer opportunities

The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, please contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can assist you in finding an opportunity. To learn more about its programs and services, go to volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.

The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, please contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can assist you in finding an opportunity. To learn more about its programs and services, go to volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.

ChoralFest needs volunteers for the festival, which is happening Nov. 13 to Nov. 21. Roles include registration table, choir host, clinician assistant, MC duties, hospitality and committee work. The ideal volunteer should have a friendly and helpful personality, experience with choir and/or music, experience handling sales, and be organized and detail-oriented. Some roles require volunteers to stand for long periods of time and walk long distances, while others require them to be seated for lengthy periods. All volunteers will receive a free Manitoba Choral Association volunteer T-shirt, and lunch will be provided to those who work both morning and afternoon slots or whose shift spans the lunch hour. Volunteers can find more information about the specific shift times at http://wfp.to/6J0. Apply online at http://wfp.to/6JN by Nov. 9.

Skate Winnipeg needs program assistants to help professional coaches during CanSkate sessions for skaters of all ages. Program assistants help skaters with their first steps, provide constant encouragement, and help lead circuits and group activities. Each session is 45 minutes, in the evening and on weekends. Please inquire regarding specific times, dates and locations in Winnipeg. A background in hockey, ringette, speed skating or figure skating is required along with the ability to perform basic skating skills, skating forwards and backwards, sculling, turning, small jumps, crosscuts and gliding. Criminal record and child abuse registry checks are required, with reimbursement for both. Email canskatecoordinator@skatewinnipeg.ca by Dec. 1.

The Access to Therapy Initiative needs a director of social media on its board of directors to help drive the mission to enhance mental health accessibility. People with the skills required are asked to email info@accesstotherapy.org before Dec. 31.

Immigrant Centre Manitoba needs volunteers to serve as English conversation group facilitators for newcomers. Volunteers should possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, be fluent in English, and have the ability to instruct and offer guidance. The ability to work with people from diverse ethnocultural backgrounds is a must. Previous teaching experience, particularly in EAL/ESL, is preferred. The classes can be conducted online or at the centre on Tuesdays to Saturdays, with daytime, evening and weekend slots available. A minimum three-month commitment of two hours weekly is required. Apply online at http://wfp.to/6J6 by Dec. 31.

Saving Audio Recycling needs volunteer enviro transport drivers, with vehicles, to perform occasional pickup and drop-off of consumer electronics loads at various location points in Winnipeg. Minimal to no lifting is required, with help provided on each run. A fuel stipend could be made available. The work is flexible and sporadic, occurring at most twice a month and taking about two to three hours to complete. Email savingaudio@gmx.com by Jan. 1.

The Assiniboine Park Conservancy needs volunteers for Boo at the Zoo, which is happening unti Oct. 29. This reimagined event takes place after-hours in the zoo. It is designed for families and people of all ages and will feature special performances, activities and displays. Must be 18 years or older. Apply at http://wfp.to/6rG by Oct. 22.

The Elmwood Unity Walk, a safety patrol group run by the Chalmers Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation, needs volunteers to help create a safer and cleaner community. Duties include going on walks to remove potentially hazardous materials, and handing out food and water to those in need. Email cnrcnrg@chalmersrenewal.org or call 204-669-0750 by Nov. 30.

Health Sciences Centre needs a volunteer to serve as a CHTV host for Children’s Hospital’s closed-circuit TV station. The volunteers will work with Child Life staff members to produce The Good Day Show, a daily live TV program that is fun and engaging for patients. Volunteers must have excellent English language and interpersonal skills, be comfortable on camera, and be creative and able to relate to children of all ages. Must pass a criminal record check and be physically and mentally capable of performing the responsibilities. Volunteers must commit to one day a week, 11 a.m. to 2 p m. on weekdays. Parking or bus tickets are provided. Email cpanergo@hsc.mb.ca, call 204-787-3533 or go online to http://wfp.to/6vU by Dec. 15.

The Canadian Red Cross needs volunteers. When disaster strikes, you can help, and the Red Cross can show you how. Go to http://wfp.to/0pE, email volunteer@redcross.ca or call 1-844-818-2155.

“I try to accommodate the needs of the learners, who often are juggling child care, interviews, shifts, other classes or other responsibilities,” Donald says. “I’ve met so many interesting people. It’s been wonderful to see their progress over time.”

Donald enjoys volunteering with United for Literacy so much she recruited her friend, Charleen Frenette, to get involved.

Frenette, a retired teacher, meets with a group of intermediate English learners on Zoom once a week.

“It is really fun because everybody comes with different strengths and knowledge,” she says. “But together we blend it all. It seems the most popular activity is when we have conversations, so they can practice all the weird grammar, phrasal verbs and idioms that we use without thinking. I have learned a lot about how much we use those.”

Getting involved with the organization during a pandemic lockdown was a boon for Frenette.

“Having a chance to connect (with people) was wonderful,” she says. “Also, I get to meet people from all around the world, right in my living room. How great is that?”

For Meiyu Pan, volunteering with United for Literacy has been a way to give back to the community and make connections following the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic when everyone was stuck at home.

Pan, who works at an insurance company, moved to Winnipeg from China in 2019. She spent a few months earlier this year volunteering at an in-person after-school program run by United for Literacy, where she read with children in grades three to six.

Pan enjoys working with children, and getting to know what kinds of books they like and what they’re learning in school.

“I’ve learned a lot from the co-ordinator that I work with,” she says. “I’m always impressed by the passion they have and how they engage the kids in all the activities.”

Pan adds being involved with United for Literacy has been a learning experience for her, too.

“Volunteering is not just about giving — we receive a lot of things from volunteering as well,” she says. “I gained a sense of accomplishment and I understand more about the community and the city.”

United for Literacy (unitedforliteracy.ca) is looking for volunteers in Winnipeg and Selkirk to help with in-person after-school reading programs, classroom tutoring and online tutoring.

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

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca

Aaron Epp

Aaron Epp
Reporter

Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. Read more about Aaron.

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