On International Volunteer Day, we thank our volunteers!
By Farkhonda Rajabe, Volunteer Resources Coordinator
Margaret Hansen quickly became part of the MOSAIC family when she began volunteering here more than a year ago.
As a volunteer with MOSAIC’s Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program, Margaret helps immigrant and refugee students practice their English conversation skills in weekly sessions. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the sessions have moved online, but that hasn’t stopped her from connecting with students.
“You get to see different aspects of people’s lives with online sessions. Many of the students are working from home and have young children who will sometimes appear in the background, but it’s fun and human,” she says.
As someone who has always loved to travel and learn about other cultures, volunteering at MOSAIC was a natural fit. Before retiring, Margaret worked professionally as a volunteer coordinator and encountered many immigrants who wanted to give back, so she knew that she wanted to continue her involvement with newcomers to Canada after retirement.
“I leave the end of each conversation session smiling and feeling uplifted. Although the LINC instructors provide suggested conversation starters to volunteers, our discussions often veer off into talking about everyone’s home country and the cultural differences that come with moving to a new place.”
Volunteers have been the backbone of our organization from the beginning. It is thanks to the giving nature of our communities that we are able to continue providing the best possible support to immigrants, refugees, and newcomers to Canada. In the past year, we were privileged to work with more than 500 volunteers who gave nearly 9000 hours of their time to serving newcomers!
For Margaret, volunteering at MOSAIC has been a very positive experience.
“I’ve felt very supported by the teachers, students, and administrators at MOSAIC. I’m proud to be a volunteer here!”
Thank you to Margaret and all the incredible MOSAIC volunteers who dedicate their time to supporting newcomers to Canada. As MOSAIC’s Volunteer Resources Coordinator, I can honestly say that our work would not be possible without you!
International Volunteer Day (IVD) is a global celebration of volunteers. Founded in 1985 by United Nations Volunteers, it takes place every year on December 5 to shine a light on the impact of volunteer efforts everywhere. To find out more information, click here.
