National Volunteer Week is April 24-30, 2022. Below, we've profiled a Port Coquitlam volunteer who is making a difference in the community.
ROB FRANCIS - PORT COQUITLAM
1. What city do you reside in?
I moved to Canada in 2017 and have been living in the Tri-Cities this entire time. I bought a place in Port Coquitlam last year and love the area.
2. What is your full-time job?
I'm on paternity leave at the moment as my wife and I have a three month old at home. I was working as a manufacturing manager within the cannabis industry and am currently studying with the aim to become a counsellor.
3. What organizations do you currently volunteer with?
I volunteer with Access Youth, a youth outreach organization that operates across the Tri-Cities. I work on the bus with their Project Reach Out (PRO) team providing mentorship and support to at-risk youth.
4. What organizations have you volunteered with in the past?
I have helped with the Royal British Legion, a support organization for members of the Armed Forces, by working as a fundraiser. Like a lot of people I have friends and family who have served and know how important providing support is for people.
5. Why do you volunteer?
I think, like most people, I volunteer for a number of reasons. Generally speaking, I would say I have two main motivations. First, I have always been someone who is very engaged with politics but at times I can feel helpless when reading about all the various scandals, corruption and general ineffectiveness and unfairness of the world. By volunteering, I can provide meaningful help and support to my community and see real change occurring in people's lives. It's rewarding to help people and reaffirming to see that the vast majority of people out there are good people who want to help each other. Second, I have the more practical reason of looking to gain greater experience and understanding of the struggles that people face as I am aiming to become a counsellor. I also want to see how I react to difficult or distressing circumstances and to see whether I have the mentality and capabilities to help those in need.
6. What makes a good volunteer?
I think the most important aspect is to be committed to whatever you are doing. This doesn't mean that you have to offer a lot of your time. If you can only be available for one shift every two months, that's great; just ensure that when you are there performing the work you are committed to putting in the effort and being respectful. Most organizations that need volunteers are underfunded and stretched thin, so it's important to be reliable.
7. What skills do you need?
Typically volunteer work is people focused and, when dealing with people, it's important to demonstrate compassion and respect. You can't know what someone is going through or has experienced so you have to imagine people complexly when engaging with them.
8. What advice do you have for people who are looking to volunteer?
Be willing to get out of your comfort zone and try something that you wouldn't normally consider yourself doing. Most people are more capable than they think they are. There are always other opportunities if something doesn't work out so try something new as there is no harm in trying.
9. Do you plan to volunteer more in the future, with other organizations?
The Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Centre of BC perform some fantastic work with those who are in extremely vulnerable circumstances. It would be great to help out with their team in the future.
10. Any words about Volunteer Week?
What's great about Volunteer Week is it provides promotion and recognition to all the important volunteer work that takes place nationally. If anyone sees this and is thinking about volunteering know that there are always people looking for support near you.
CAN YOU HELP?
Tri-City residents (ages 19 and up) are invited to the Volunteer Job Fair, hosted by the Community Volunteer Connections and the Coquitlam Public Library, on April 23. Organizers will be at the City Centre branch of the library (1169 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to “recruit” volunteers for upcoming events and activities. The fair coincides with National Volunteer Week. No registration is required.
MORE: volunteerconnections.ca
