National Volunteer Week 2022 - Wellington Advertiser

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATIONWeek National

National Volunteer Week 2022 theme: ‘Volunteering Is Empathy In Action’

This year’s theme for National Volunteer Week is “Volunteering Is Empathy

In Action: Volunteers

Bring Heart To Canada’s Communities” which runs April 24 to 30.

“Let’s celebrate Canada’s volunteers,” says Volunteer Canada. “The empathy, compassion and generosity of volunteers creates connected communities and builds a stronger Canada.”

The National Volunteer Week theme for 2022, “Volunteering Is Empathy In Action,” affirms the strong connection between volunteerism and empathy. This profoundly human connection is at the heart of health-

ier individuals and stronger communities.

Empathy is a quality that can help people relate to others and build awareness around different experiences. It connects people in ideas and actions and helps create bonds forged in common goals and aspirations.

Volunteering can help us develop empathy, to see the world through the eyes of others.

It can connect people from diverse backgrounds and life experiences, expanding our views.

It can build our capacity to work collectively and contribute to a vibrant, inclusive society.

From coast to coast to coast in formal and informal settings, volunteers create caring, collaborative, and compassionate communities.

During National Volunteer Week 2022, Volunteer Canada celebrates the contributions of Canada’s millions of volunteers: their actions, their understanding, and their genuine concern for the world around them.

Volunteering, putting empathy into action, can build communities where people feel happier, healthier and more welcome – creating a stronger, more connected Canada.

For more information visit volunteer.ca/nvw2020.

Easter Scramble - Volunteers from the the Harriston Rising committee hosted an Easter Scramble in the Maple Leaf Room at the Harriston Legion on April 16. The event featured crafts, treats, face painting, trivia and a hot dog lunch. Volunteers included, from left: Katie Weed, Joan Ivel, Linda Verbackel, Megan Raftis, John Kay, Peggy Raftis and Kathy Butcher.

Photo by Patrick Raftis

Thank you!

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION Week

Longtime volunteer values importance of staying connected to community

By Paige Peacock

GUELPH

–

For over 50 years, Guelph resident Peter Barrow has been searching for ways to stay connected to his community through his passion for volunteering.

Barrow first began volunteering when he came to Guelph in 1969 from Ottawa and landed his first volunteer role with Big Brothers Big Sisters which he took part in for a number of years.

During that time, he was also president of the Guelph Little Theatre group. It was these roles that began a 50-year journey of volunteering in the community.

“I think one of the benefits of volunteering, of course, is that you do meet a lot of really wonderful people. You make friends, you make connections, and that was certainly true for me,” Barrow told the Advertiser

In speaking with Barrow, his passion for volunteering was evident.

As an avid volunteer, over the years, Barrow has taken on roles with the Guelph YMCA, Canadian Red Cross, the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington, Hopewell Children’s Homes,

PIN highlights the

By Advertiser staff

value

life and in your community,”

Cusimano explained.

Thank

the Elliot Community Long-term Care Home and the People and Information Network (PIN), among many others.

PETER BARROW

“So it’s been a very consistent and very important part of my life all the way through and I’ve really been incredibly lucky to have met so many fantastic people and to learn about so many different organizations and the challenges they face,” he said.

As a business and marketing consultant, part of his volunteering work, Barrow explained, has also been to work with non-profit groups through strategic planning.

Through that he’s done work with organizations like the Guelph Rowing Club and Hospice Wellington.

A major aspect of volunteering for Barrow, is being embedded in his community.

“That’s one of the huge aspects of volunteering, you do make wonderful friends, you get to learn and respect other people’s passions,” he explained.

“There are a lot of incredibly engaged and committed volunteers in Guelph and Wellington, definitely, in the whole county, it’s just quite amazing.”

Involvement with PIN

Having been involved with the founding of PIN, back when it was the Volunteer Centre of Guelph, Barrow has always been connected with PIN in one way or another. He now sits on the board where he’s held the position for the past five years.

PIN executive director Kim Cusimano, who has worked at PIN for the last five years, said during her time working with Barrow, he’s been “a real proponent of community and volunteerism.

“He’s an absolute gem,” she said. “His heart is in supporting an engaged community and he does that with such a high level of support.”

During their time working together, Cusimano has seen Barrow take part in a number of committees as well as volunteer with various boards to help see organizations grow and prosper.

“And I would say for PIN, his support to the organization in a board service role is … a real opportunity to give and giving of leadership and mentorship and growth and development and Peter has really embodied that for the organization,” she said.

“His support, it was unwavering through the pandemic,” she added. “But I would say that he also just was inspiring of the entire organization from board and staff.

280 St Patrick St W, Fergus (519) 362-4167

He really cares for the well-being of the staff and how the board functions at its highest governance level to be able to support the organization.

SEE VOLUNTEERING » 23

GUELPH As National Volunteer Week approaches, PIN – The People and Information Network – is highlighting the value of volunteerism and the benefits it can have not only for the community, but for the individual.

“We are all connected to a volunteer” says Kim Cusimano, executive director at PIN.

Through the Statistics Canada General Social Survey on Giving, Volunteering and Participating, 12.7 million Canadians volunteer formally – 1.6 billion hours which would be valued at approximately $32.7 billion, according to an April 1 press release from PIN.

In Ontario, there are five million volunteers donating 820 million hours, the equivalent of 400,00 full-time jobs.

Cusimano emphasised the importance of having the awareness and the understanding that volunteering is not just “nice to have,” but that there is real impact.

“When you think about it, it’s almost like six degrees of separation,” she explained. “You don’t have to look far ... to see volunteering in action, and the contributions that people are making.

“There’s real impact,” she added. “And I think it’s really important to have solid awareness, and a real good understanding of what that impact looks like.”

The more organizations like PIN are able to provide that information to people, she explained, the more individuals will be able to see and understand what that looks like in their community

“And just to pause and take a moment and look around your circle of life, if you will, and kind of see where volunteers are helping in your life and in your community, in your family’s

Cusimano said it’s also about creating awareness, not only around numbers and data, but around people’s understanding that volunteering has reciprocal benefits, not only to the community, but to the individual.

“We often hear volunteers that you speak with, or listen to, and they will often say, I feel like I give more than I receive, or feel like I receive more than I give,” she said.

“So they’re receiving sort of that feeling of connection to community, seeing the happiness,” she added. “And recognizing in yourself that you have made that contribution I think is really soul filling, it provides meaning and purpose.”

Over the last two years, one of the biggest things people are missing, she explained, is connection.

Quoting Brené Brown, Cusimano stressed “’humans are hardwired for connection’ and volunteerism is a distinct, profound and impactful way to feel connection and feel as though you are part of your community – you’re part of something bigger into your community.

“The more you are connected as a community, the

70%

more you can become resilient as a community, you can have a better perspective by volunteering, you can understand community issues better by volunteering,” she added. “And when we know better, we certainly can do better.”

Empathy in action

The theme of this year’s National Volunteer Week is ‘Volunteering is Empathy in Action” affirming the strong connection between volunteerism and empathy, which Cusimano said is right on the mark.

“It’s truly needed out there and it’s a real example of how people have answered the call to volunteer in a really dark time over COVID,” she explained.

She added that we need volunteer involvement in communities in order to support the various programs and services that non-profits and charities are working towards to meet their mission.

Through a community benefit sector survey PIN conducted last fall, Cusimano said the organization knows there’s an increased demand for service, which highlights the need for more volunteers.

“I think what needs to be shared as well is just that

the knowledge is part of the heart and passion of individuals in the community, when they see a need, and they start something themselves,” she said.

Eliminating barriers PIN has been the local hub of volunteerism since 2001 and through the years, the organization has put an emphasis on eliminating barriers and making volunteering more accessible.

thank

you

The Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit, member driven organization that supports the local business community. We couldn’t do what we do without the support of our volunteer Board of Directors, Ambassadors, and Committee members.

519.843.5140 chamber@cwchamber.ca

Thank you for making a difference in the lives of our residents.

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION APPRECIATIONWeek National

Volunteerism – what’s in it for me?

The majority of Canadians – some 79 per cent or 24 million people – volunteer formally or informally, according to Statistics Canada.

We read this and wonder what do these numbers mean, what’s in it for me and what does this look like?

Volunteering can involve volunteering with a nonprofit, or charity, coaching children’s sports, mentoring youth, answering distress line calls, supporting programming for individuals living with dementia, or driving individuals for medical appointments.

Informal volunteering might look like helping a neighbour, participating in a random act of kindness, organizing a community activity, participating in Earth Hour, or shoveling a neighbour’s driveway.

There are a variety of benefits to volunteering.

Comunity building

When you volunteer, you

are taking an active role in shaping the kind of community you want to live, work and play in.

It’s good for your health!

Volunteering is good for your health by increasing well-being in a variety of ways including physical activity and positive mental health by decreasing loneliness and increasing connections. Researcher Brene Brown says: “Humans are hard-wired for connection.” Volunteering provides an opportunity to connect with others through shared meaning and purpose. Harvard University research indicates that loneliness has the same risk as smoking for heart disease.

Skill development

Through learning and hands-on experience, volunteering provides transferrable skills that can be applied to employment. In addition volunteering helps networking, developing con-

nections and expanding your professional circle and may introduce you to new career options.

Sense of belonging

Volunteering provides an opportunity to learn different perspectives, welcome community members and create a safe space where all can feel seen, heard and valued. Volunteering fosters and cultivates opportunities for social inclusion and belonging.

#EmpathyInAction

The theme of National Volunteer Week 2022 is “Empathy In Action.”

By contributing through kindness, you are showcasing the generosity of the human spirit. Kindness begets kindness and the opportunity to help another human, spread and elevate kindness in our community boomerangs right back to you in many ways including pure joy.

Volunteerism is woven

into the fabric of our community.

It happens informally or formally, long-term and short-term, with friends, family and even strangers. People and Information Network

The People and Information Network (PIN) has been the go-to hub for volunteerism in Guelph Wellington.

As the lynchpin, PIN provides connections and leadership to support the development of individuals and organizations.

It provides a hub for volunteer opportunities and engagement and enable best practices and continuous learning for professionals in the non-profit sector.

To explore your options for local volunteerism, visit PIN - The People and Information Network - online at PINnetwork.ca or call 519822-0912.

Government eliminates fees for police record checks for volunteers

TORONTO — The Ontario government is eliminating the cost of police record checks for volunteers of all ages looking to give their time and skills to the causes they care about.

This includes Criminal Record Checks and Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Checks, which are commonly required by organizations that work with volunteers.

Beginning April 1, amendments to the Police Record Checks Reform Act, 2015

will remove the fee for these two types of police record checks, making it easier for Ontarians to support animal shelters, food banks, emergency response initiatives, and many more organizations in their communities.

“The Ontario Nonprofit Network is pleased to see the elimination of fees for certain levels of police record checks for volunteers,” says Cathy Taylor, executive director for the Ontario Nonprofit Network.

“Volunteers are vital to our communities through nonprofit organizations across Ontario.

“We know communities could not function without the supportive web of nonprofits that contribute to our quality of life. This has been even more evident during the pandemic.”

Volunteers can also receive up to five copies of these types of police record checks for free, making it easier to apply to multiple volunteering positions.

“Volunteers enrich our communities and making it free to get police record checks is a tangible way our government is making it easier for Ontarians to give back,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones.

“Taking fees out of the equation will benefit charities and organizations that rely on the helping hands

of volunteers, as well as senior volunteers with fixed incomes.”

This change will make it easier than ever to participate in initiatives like Volunteer Corps Ontario, which is currently recruiting and training volunteers to help their communities during emergencies like natural disasters.

“Removing the cost of these essential police record checks is one way our government is making it easier for people across the province to embrace the Ontario Spirit and volunteer in their communities,” said Parm Gill, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism.

“It is our hope that this initiative will make it easier for non-profit organizations to attract committed and talented people to help those who need it most.”

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATIONWeek National

Volunteering is enriching and ‘life broadening’ says Barrow

» FROM PAGE 20

Cusimano added if anyone has the opportunity to meet Barrow, they will easily find themselves inspired by his words and his generosity.

“In the way that he speaks, his gift of communication really is inspiring,” she said.

Volunteering during the pandemic

Barrow said volunteering has also really helped himself and his wife to get through the past two years of the pandemic, as it has allowed them to stay busy and stay engaged with the community and the organizations they work with.

Asked if the pandemic slowed down his ability to volunteer, Barrow said in some cases he was busier than ever.

He noted there are some substantial challenges facing the volunteer sector, including attaining funding for many non-profits in the Guelph-Wellington area to

ensure their sustainability and survival.

“I was personally involved in a lot of work around the whole issue of sustainability and funding,” Barrow explained.

“[Also] encouraging people to become volunteers,” he added. “A lot of people are really overburdened at the moment and maybe thinking that they need to step back from volunteering because they’re so overloaded.”

Barrow said he’s been helping organizations to maintain membership and encourage new volunteers and helping them figure out where to go next, which he said has been very helpful in keeping him busy.

The Guelph resident is currently still working with the Elliot Community and is looking forward to continuing his work with PIN once his term on the board is up next year.

His biggest work at the moment is with an organiza-

tion – the Recovery Speaking Initiative – which is designed to provide advocacy, resources and support for men who were victims of sexual abuse and have subsequently struggled with addiction and depression.

Barrow currently acts as chair of the board for the start-up organization, which has been going for roughly 18 months.

As he gets older, Barrow said it’s really important for him to stay connected.

“I think volunteerism also gives you a balance in your life,” he explained.

“In one way, particularly if you’re working for organizations that are helping the disadvantaged, you really get a broader perspective of your own life and what’s important and what really matters from learning about how other people are living and the challenges they’re facing.

“And I think you broaden your own life experience tremendously.”

PIN seeks to inspire people to volunteer

» FROM PAGE 21

opportunities or recruitment of volunteer opportunities. It also looks at the accessibility of the opportunities and the information provided.

In addition, the organization also looks at whether a role may be more suitable to a certain demographic.

Over the years, PIN has had individuals come to the organization that either know exactly what they want to do and just want to ensure that they’ve got that volunteer opportunity, or they’ve had numbers of people who are interested in volunteering but they just don’t know what’s available.

“We know that that’s one of the reasons why people don’t volunteer, they don’t know what’s available, and

no one’s asked,” Cusimano said.

“What we seek to do is to inspire individuals to volunteer to provide them with a variety of different opportunities that would meet their needs and interests.

“And whether that be availability of time, day, location, but within our portal, we also have the knowledge around accessibility,” she added.

“So trying to help people find something that would work really well for their areas of interest and their needs.”

Cusimano said the organization wants as many people as possible to know it is there and that organizers are happy to connect with individuals to answer questions

and provide resources.

PIN also offers capacity building training, whether that be workshops, online modules or training.

“So there’s lots of different components that all come together,” she explained.

“So that PIN is able to support the individual seeking opportunity or really maybe had not thought about opportunity before, as well as the non-profit charitable sector.”

Time to Give

PIN will be celebrating volunteerism during National Volunteer Week April 24 to 30 with the organization’s annual ‘Time to Give’ on April 29.

Visit PINnetwork.ca for more information.

Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis

Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis

Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis

Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis

Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis

A sincere thank you to our dedicated volunteers

A sincere thank you to our dedicated volunteers

A sincere thank you to our dedicated volunteers. Your commitment is truly appreciated.

A sincere thank you to our dedicated volunteers. Your commitment is truly appreciated.

A sincere thank you to our dedicated volunteers. Your commitment is truly appreciated.

Your commitment is truly appreciated.

Your commitment is truly appreciated.

24-hour Crisis Line: 1-519-836-5710, 1-800-265-SAFE (7233) Working to end violence against women and children www.gwwomenincrisis.org

24-hour Crisis Line: 1-519-836-5710, 1-800-265-SAFE (7233)

24-hour Crisis Line: 1-519-836-5710, 1-800-265-SAFE (7233) Working to end violence against women and children www.gwwomenincrisis.org

24-hour Crisis Line: 1-519-836-5710, 1-800-265-SAFE (7233)

Working to end violence against women and children www.gwwomenincrisis.org

24-hour Crisis Line: 1-519-836-5710, 1-800-265-SAFE (7233) Working to end violence against women and children www.gwwomenincrisis.org

Working to end violence against women and children www.gwwomenincrisis.org

Thank You Volunteers!

Owned and operated by the Groves Hospital Volunteer Association, a special thank you is in order to our volunteers at New To You.

Your efforts through the pandemic have not gone unnoticed and we thank you for your service.

Volunteering is Empathy In Action

National Volunteer Week April 24 - 30

To each and every volunteer who contributes to our community - thank you From acts of kindness to formal volunteer roles with local nonprofits and charities, your individual and collective efforts are an inspiration

Across the country and right here at home, we celebrate you, your efforts and the impact of volunteerism in our community! Share

for their efforts

PINnetwork.ca

Toll-free: 1-800-461-9701

Email: randy.pettapiececo@pc.ola.org

PETTAPIECE.CA