One of St. Albert’s youngest volunteers might not actually know that he’s doing it but he doesn’t seem to mind considering all of the attention that he gets.
Oliver Corbett, only six months old, and his mother Stacey are part of Roots of Empathy, an extracurricular program that helps teach elementary children to consider the feelings of others, often resulting in them better understanding their own feelings. The goal of emotional literacy is to reduce peer conflicts throughout each community and the world.
With that worldwide perspective in mind, the Community Information and Volunteer Centre (CIVC) is taking the occasion of the United Nations’ 25th annual International Volunteer Day to sing the praises of those people in the city who help others out of the goodness of their hearts. With a motto reminding us that ‘every action makes a difference and every hour counts,’ it’s important to take a look at some of the city’s unsung heroes.
“I think it’s important that on this day … that we really look to our volunteers in St. Albert and say thank you for all that you give to this community. It is just unbelievable what volunteers give,” stated Pat Phelan, director of volunteer centre services at the CIVC. “So much giving in this community. St. Albert has a wonderful volunteer base.”
She should know. The centre in Campbell Park is the literal hub that connects the people who have the time and inclination with the organizations and opportunities that need their help. The unique operation has been around since 1980, a flagship that is practically unseen anywhere else. Not even Edmonton can boast of such a resource.
Phelan even said that business is booming. She explained there would probably be over 1,000 referrals through the agency, an astronomical leap that practically doubles last year’s tally. This heart-warming fact comes at just the right time when, after a time of economic downturn, people are coming out in droves to prove that they want to contribute to positive change.
While little Oliver didn’t have much to say on the subject other than cooing his approval of celebrating volunteers, his mother was more than willing to provide her perspective.
“I like to be involved somehow in the community. When you’re working it’s hard to do that but when you have a baby it’s even harder. There are very few opportunities where you can take your child with you, so this one is perfect. He’s basically the star of the show.”
The City of St. Albert employee still has six more months of maternity leave but she’s very thankful that when she returns to work, her office has a policy that will allow her to have brief workday absences to attend to her volunteer commitments.
“The city is very progressive with allowing people to volunteer. We work through lunch to make up the hours. It’s fantastic. If they think that the opportunity is beneficial to either the city or the employee, then they accept it.”
Others have taken to volunteering as a way to bridge themselves back into the workforce.
“I’d been a stay-at-home mom for a long time and wanted to get my feet wet. I wanted to work with seniors and I really enjoy books,” said Margo McNamara. She explained that she saw an advertisement on the St. Albert Public Library’s website looking for a delivery services volunteer. It was just the thing she was looking for.
Now employed part-time, she has been a key mobile outreach person for two years. Dedicated to the people at River Ridge Seniors Community, she works with the philosophy that when her clients can’t get to the books, she brings the books to them. She doesn’t feel the effort though, only unexpected benefits.
“I thought it was doing it for somebody else. I really love this thing, getting to know [the seniors], and just spending time with them.” In turn they have become like friends sharing common interests.
While the long-term commitment is important, Phelan added that there are lots of opportunities for shorter ones as well. She said that community turnout was phenomenal for this summer’s Special Olympics Summer Games and she expects the same response when St. Albert hosts the just announced national Special Olympics Winter Games in 2012.
