Community support agencies rely on their selfless dedication of their volunteers. Volunteers allow non profit agencies to carry out their much needed services to those in need across Canada. St. Paul’s L’Amoreaux Centre, a non denominational, non profit providing in Scarborough, is one among many social service agencies that depends on the help of its 400 + volunteers---nearly half of which are students.
One way, St. Paul’s expresses its gratitude to its student volunteers, is with a summer barbecue. This is the second summer that St. Paul’s held the summer event. Volunteers, staff, supervisors and clients, turned out to give and receive thanks, and give recognition to outstanding contributions.
Volunteer Coordinator, Scott McDonald, enjoys hearing about the students gain experience and establish bonds with clients. McDonald explains, "Seeing the student volunteers working with the seniors is great. I enjoy getting emails or phone calls from them saying that they learned so much and thanking us for letting them volunteer here."
The barbecue was also a chance for St. Paul’s to acknowledge its young volunteers from S.O.A.R. (Seeking Opportunities Accessing Resources), a branch of Operation Springboard. S.O.A.R assists youth and adults with developmental abilities learn life skills and enhance independence. Volunteers and staff from S.O.A.R. also attended to see program participant, Ryan Reid, receive a special certificate of appreciation from Larry Burke, Executive Director, for their efforts at St. Paul’s.
Burke thinks recognition of students is very important for the students themselves and the non profit agencies in which they volunteer. “Student volunteers provide services that greatly assist our seniors in leading a dignified, healthy lifestyle. Their enthusiasm and energy are a gift to our seniors. Volunteering also pays dividends for the students, who get an opportunity to have some work and life enhancing experiences.
Approximately 40% of volunteers are students from high school through university. The summer students were fulfilling their community service hours as part of the Ministry of Education’s Community Involvement legislation established in 2000. 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.” The required number of volunteer hours is 40 hours, however, many students went above and beyond the call by contributing over 100 hours in the 2-month period. A total of 6000+ hours were contributed by volunteers this summer.
Other than fulfilling high school graduation requirements, some students choose to volunteer for the mere satisfaction of giving back to the community or because it directly correlates to their current studies. Cassie Chu, a university student studying at Ontario College of Art and Design, volunteered in the Chinese Day Program. Chu explains, “I enjoy meeting new people and talking to the elders. It’s a good opportunity to communicate with different age groups because communication is a very important skill when you’re working.”
