Thanks to over 400 volunteers, we are able to offer programming for over 100 participants each week. Many of our volunteers volunteer once a month or off site.
We have weekly volunteer opportunities available. We are looking for volunteers who are available to volunteer once a week from 5:30-8:30pm Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights.
Some of the reasons we enjoy having weekly volunteers are:
Volunteers get to know our participants. Through this process, it is easier to continue the conversations that we begin. Through the “getting to know you” process, our volunteers get to find out what our participants needs & wants are. Through this process, our weekly volunteers are able to talk to our participants about things they would like to see us offer through our programming.
Through that process we have had volunteers and participants become leaders in the community. Long time volunteer Katie Benjamin created Womyn’s Gym, one on one personal training for low income women. The 10 week program was run through e students. Katie’s work has not gone unnoticed. She was the 2009 YWCA Young Woman of Distinction in Vancouver, BC.
11 year old, Laura Mah wanted to “give back”. Together with the help of her teacher at her elementary school, she started “Knit Fit”. The first year they taught over 50 kids to knit. During the Christmas season, Laura came down to our space with her mother. She handed out over 60 scarves. Throughout the past 8 years, Knit Fit continued to grow. When Laura left for University of Victoria last year, the project continued. We had over 300 scarves knitted by elementary school kids to hand out during our Xmas Stocking Drive.
Although not every volunteer will want to create their own program, many volunteers will develop workshops or activities they would like to lead with our participants. Through our correspondence and programming committees, volunteers are able to bring the voices of the women into our discussions about how to continue to build self esteem and change lives.
If you are interested in becoming a weekly volunteer, please fill in our volunteer application form. Our next volunteer orientation is August 8th at 5:30pm. Thank you!
