St. Paul’s Community Services for Seniors recognized the contributions of its high school volunteers with a BBQ and presentation of certificates on August 23, 2007. The summer students were fulfilling their community service hours as part of the Ministry of Education’s Community Involvement legislation established 7 years ago. The goal of the Community Involvement Act was to “encourage students to develop awareness and understanding of civic responsibility and of the role they can play and the contributions they make in supporting and strengthening their communities.” It has been a boon for non profits who often struggle to recruit a steady stream of suitable, committed workers.
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| L-R: Nadine Aranjo; Rohit Nair; Scott McDonald,Volunteer Coordinator; Larry Burke, Executive Director; Stephanie Sing. |
St. Paul’s volunteer corp numbers approximately 430 people of which nearly ¼ are high school students throughout the year. Student volunteers work in all departments, food services, friendly visiting, Alzheimer’s and dementia clients, finance and human resources.
St. Paul’s Executive Director, Larry Burke, believes in goals of the program and the values that are instilled in students. Burke states, “Not only does the student meet his or her community service hours commitment but we believe the experience of working with and helping others is an excellent life lesson that will make our young people better and more caring members of society.”
The volunteers at St. Paul’s age in range from the youngest at 14 years old to the oldest at 99 years old. One high school volunteer, Nadine Aranjo, 14, is currently contributing 35 hours per week. Aranjo has enjoyed her experience so much at St. Paul’s she has “begged the volunteer coordinator to let me work here next summer.” Aranjo was eager to volunteer outside the community services requirement because in her words she’s “too young to go work…I would have been sitting at home with a bag of chips and watching the Young and the Restless.”
Stephanie Sing, 15, and her mother, Vanessa, heard about St. Paul’s through the pastor at St. Paul’s Anglican Church. Sing is a seasoned volunteer having previously worked at a retirement home in her hometown of Johannesburg, South Africa. Her mother is also currently volunteering in the finance department.
Sing reports that she will continue volunteering at St. Paul’s even though she has completed her 50 hours requirement. “I’ve learnt a lot of thing here. I’ve learned how to serve customers and how things should be done. I’ve also learned communication skills and people skills.”
Student volunteers realize the value of their volunteer experience and how it affects their future career paths. For Aranjo, who wants to be a teacher, working with Alzheimer’s and dementia clients has reinforced her future plans to become a teacher. “I want to teach multiple exception children, for example, kids with autism. This experience has taught me a lot about patience and will help me more as a teacher. My job will be easier because of my volunteering now.”
