Honouring lifelong commitment to building community
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/09/2022 (1134 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
A lifelong volunteer, Terumi Kuwada links her interest in community service to her mother and father.
Kuwada’s parents were among the thousands of Japanese Canadians forced into internment camps during the Second World War. After the war, Kuwada’s parents eventually settled in Winnipeg, where they dedicated themselves to helping those around them.
“I grew up in a family of volunteers,” recalls Kuwada, 75. “Volunteering was part and parcel of our family life and our community life.”
MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Terumi Kuwada, 75, has volunteered with at least 16 different organizations over the past 35 years. She was a recipient of one of eight Premier’s Volunteer Service Awards presented as part of the 39th annual Volunteer Awards.
In the past 35 years, Kuwada has volunteered with at least 16 different organizations. The retired social worker has often volunteered with six groups concurrently.
Her family’s experiences during the war sparked Kuwada’s interest in getting involved with organizations that focus on human rights, social justice, promoting cultural diversity and building community.
Kuwada has led several non-profit organizations, including two terms as president of the Manitoba Japanese Canadian Citizens Association.
She first got involved with the organization in 1970, when she represented youth perspectives on its board. She later sat on Manitoba’s redress committee and represented the province on the national redress settlement committee.
One of Kuwada’s long-standing volunteer commitments is with the National Association of Japanese Canadians, where she has served as president, past-president, community development chairwoman and election chairwoman.
The East Kildonan resident is also involved with the Japanese Cultural Association of Manitoba, where she has volunteered on various projects, and the Islamic Social Services Association, where she has served on the board’s executive and as a member of the organization’s community advisory group.
The Canadian Muslim Leadership Institute, Manitoba Law Foundation, Institute for International Women’s Rights, Folk Arts Council of Winnipeg, United Way of Winnipeg and the River East School Division are a few of the other organizations Kuwada has volunteered with over the years.
“I think being involved with these organizations has increased my awareness and knowledge of challenges we all face,” she says. “Only as a community working together can we make a better place for our kids and our grandkids.”
Ten years ago, Kuwada was recognized with the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award.
Last month, Kuwada received a Premier’s Volunteer Service Award as part of the 39th Annual Volunteer Awards, presented by Volunteer Manitoba and Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corp.
Two of Kuwada’s friends, Viola Davidson and Gail Marchessault, collaborated on nominating her for the award.
“I don’t know anyone who volunteers as much as she does,” Davidson says. “She’s a very good friend and she’s probably the most giving, kind, thoughtful, intelligent person that I know… If you want some help and you ask Terumi, you can guarantee that she’ll make herself available to you.”
Kuwada shows real commitment when she volunteers, Marchessault adds. Rather than just sit on a board and rubber stamp what others have done, Kuwada gets deeply involved in committee work.
“It’s a real privilege to have her as a friend,” Marchessault says, describing Kuwada as lovely, caring and non-judgemental. “There should be more people in the world like Terumi.”
Kuwada appreciates her friends thought of nominating her and was grateful to receive the award.
“I do enjoy what I do and it is a rare gift that these (awards) happen,” she says. “I’m very pleased to be honoured in this way.”
If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@gmail.com
fpcity@freepress.mb.ca
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. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
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 www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
Victoria Lifeline needs volunteer home service representatives to install and service Lifeline throughout the Winnipeg area. Volunteers meet clients in their homes in scheduled appointments and follow COVID-19 protocols. You must be available one day per week, and have a valid driver’s licence and access to a vehicle. Expenses will be reimbursed monthly, and training is provided. Call 204-956-6773 or go to http://wfp.to/oQ0 by Sept. 30.
Special Olympics Manitoba is returning to weekly sport programs this fall, offering 18 sports to athletes across Manitoba. The organization is actively recruiting program and coaching volunteers. Duties include encouraging athletes to actively participate and teaching them specific sports skills as well as basic motor skills. Contact Kayla Kasian at kkasian@specialolympics.mb.ca or 204-781-1714.
Elizabeth Fry Society of Manitoba needs a fundraising co-ordinator. Duties include helping to arrange fundraising events. The volunteer will be responsible for planning and executing one or two significant fundraising events in 12 months and one or two smaller fundraisers, working within the fundraising budget. Must produce an annual fundraising plan, create fundraising goals for the organization, establish connections with potential funders, and help hire volunteers and form a fundraising committee. To apply, email pvcoord@efsmanitoba.org by Sept. 30.
Canadian Cancer Society needs event-day volunteers for the CIBC Run for Cure in Winnipeg and Brandon. Roles include greeting and engaging participants during registration and activities; general accounting; setting up and taking down tents, tables, chairs and banners; and route marshall. Apply by email at dalibor.jovasevic@cancer.ca or online at http://wfp.to/oo5 before Oct. 1.
Basketball Manitoba and Winnipeg Minor Basketball Association need volunteers for the role of head coach or assistant coach. Duties include teaching basketball skills and concepts at practices and games with the support of the area convenor, and communicating with team members. Experience as a basketball player or coach, or as a coach in other sports, is an asset. Coach education opportunities are provided. Games are one hour and usually played on weekends, with one or two practices of up to two hours on weeknights. Apply at www.wmba.ca, by email at info@wmba.ca or by phone at 204-925-5774. Deadline is Oct. 1.
Alzheimer Society of Manitoba is seeking volunteers for the upcoming season of the Minds in Motion program. Volunteers help Manitobans living with early to moderate signs of dementia, and their care partner, with a gentle chair fitness class, engaging activities and conversation. Email your application to education co-ordinator Emily Kinnaird at ekinnaird@alzheimer.mb.ca by Oct. 3.
Thrive Thrift Shop is seeking a Kijiji account manager. The volunteer will post photos and descriptions of items for sale and respond to interested customers, and is preferably an avid thrifter. To apply, email thrivethriftshop@thrivewpg.com or phone 204-783-9281 by Oct. 15.
Rise needs business mentors to help people with mental health conditions or addictions achieve financial independence through self-employment or small business ownership. Must have at least five years of business and/or professional experience and be willing to provide one-on-one business advice to Rise lending clients in-person (when permitted) or by other means. By the time a match is made, the client will have produced a business plan, been approved for financing and be ready to start or grow their businesses. Apply online at http://wfp.to/ooV before Oct. 31.
The Canadian Red Cross is seeking volunteers. When disaster strikes, you can help, and the Red Cross can show you how. Go to www.redcross.ca/volunteer, email volunteer@redcross.ca or call 1-844-818-2155.
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. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
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