NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK 2024
I want to become a volunteer because this is a cause I am very passionate about and I am looking to make good use of the time that I have available. I want the skills, qualities, and attributes I have built up over the years to be put to good use, and working as a volunteer will help me to achieve that goal.
– Haven Volunteer
THANK YOU HAVEN VOLUNTEER HEROES!
During National Volunteer Week, April 14th to 20th, 2024, we at Haven on the Queensway recognize every volunteer and celebrate each contribution they’re making at a moment when we need their support more than ever. We truly are forever grateful for what they do regularly to serve our clients. They are valued and appreciated every day of the year.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
HAVEN'S CLOSET
Karen and Meg are two of our very dedicated volunteers at Haven on the Queensway. They volunteer in our Clothing program, which can be very busy and demanding to ensure we are serving all the clients that require our services. They work so hard not just to serve the clients/shoppers but to ensure that “every moment matters.” They make every client feel seen, heard, and uplifted with every moment and interaction. They see the person, not just the need. This is no small thing! Meg and Karen, please never under-estimate the positive impacts you have on so many people! Thank you is not enough to express how grateful we are for all you do on a regular basis to help serve our community! Thank you so much Meg and Karen and to all our Haven’s Closet volunteers
FIRST CARE
Susan, Linda and Maureen are three of our faithful First Care volunteers. They are dealing with busy moms and families but always ensure to get the client to slow down and have a check-in on how they are really doing. They are constantly finding creative ways to stretch the program resources to help as many new parents as possible. They are constantly ensuring that “every moment matters” for the parents and children that come into the Haven. The genuine support and kindness they show on a regular basis is unmatched! They make the experience fun and memorable, creating encouraging and special moments to all our parents and children. Thank you so much Susan, Linda, and Maureen for all you do and thank you to all our special First Care volunteers!! We are forever grateful.
FOOD BANK
All the volunteers listed above are 6 of our dedicated Food Bank volunteers. The Food Bank serves close to 1200 clients every week over just two days. This can be an extremely busy and fast-paced environment. That being said, many of these volunteers know the names of the clients, their kids and even whatever is going on their lives. They truly make “every moment matter.” They are constantly finding creative ways to serve more clients as the need is constantly increasing and no one ever leaves without something. They show genuine care and support to all our clients! Thank you so much Bi, Robert, Regi, Jane, Tony and Arthur for all you do and thank you to all our special Food Bank volunteers!! The program would not exist without your support and dedication.
HELPING SENIORS
Maureen is one of our committed Haven Helping Senior’s volunteers. She is constantly ensuring that our Senior’s feel heard and are being well taken care of in all regards. For many of the Senior’s in our program, the weekly phone calls made by these volunteers are the only phone call they get. It is so important that we keep our Senior’s involved and connected in anyway possible, like having fun and interactive workshops. These volunteers are always helping advocate for Seniors and find creative ways to use all our resources to serve as many Seniors in the community as possible. They show the Senior’s through their actions that no matter how small or big, “every moment matters” and every life matters. The genuine care and attention to detail is un-matched! Thank you so much Maureen for all you do and thank you to all our special Haven Helping Seniors’ volunteers!
HOPE WITH WHEELS
Mina is one of our dedicated Hope with Wheels volunteers. She is constantly advocating for the Haven in creative ways and finding the best ways to reach as many people on the streets of Toronto and Etobicoke as possible. She is constantly finding creative ways to stretch the program resources to help as many of our friends as possible. She is constantly ensuring that “every moment matters” for any person, volunteer, or donor that she encounters. The genuine smile and kindness she exhibits is un-forgettable! Never under-estimate the positive impacts you have on so many people! Thank you so much Mina for all you do and thank you to all our special Hope with Wheels volunteers!! We are forever grateful.
THANK YOU
My name is Liz, and I work as the Volunteer Coordinator at Haven on the Queensway. I just want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of our volunteers who have been supporting us. We wouldn't be able to continue our mission without the help of more than 110 volunteers who have been working with us regularly.
The need for support in our community is increasing every day, and our volunteers are always consistent, hard-working, and creative. They have been finding innovative ways to help us serve more people in our community. What's even more admirable is the genuine love and kindness they show to each other and to every person who visits us.
At Haven, we believe that every moment counts, and our volunteers understand this too. They see the person, not just the need, and they know how positive changes in one life can impact so many others. They treat everyone with respect and dignity, regardless of whether they are a volunteer or a client. I can't thank our volunteers enough for their dedication and hard work.
On behalf of the entire Haven staff, I hope you always feel appreciated and valued, not just during National Volunteer Week but every time you contribute your time and effort. Wishing you a wonderful week and hope you feel celebrated!