Volunteers are the heart of community
Learn about local programs you can join or support
In early May, Arts on the Ave (AOTA) hosted a Volunteer Stroll, which took participants interested in giving back to their community on a tour to see programs in action. Our hosts and tour guides were Megan Lindsay, AOTA’s volunteer coordinator, and Edwin Aquino, The Carrot Coffeehouse manager.
Since the pandemic, AOTA has been hosting a food pantry every Monday (except holidays) from 3 to 5 pm at the Bethel Gospel Chapel on 95 Street and 114 Avenue. Ammar Alshikh leads the volunteers (now ranging from 20 to 30) as his passion project. Volunteers from The Carrot, the church, and the community support distribution to over 200 households each week.
“It's called ‘Shopping with Dignity.’ It's set up a bit like a little grocery aisle,” Lindsay explains. Groups of six or seven people are taken through and get an opportunity to select dry goods, clothing, household products, and children’s books. Various information resources are also available. To top it off, each person gets a little treat at the end.
“They are members of our community and we are treating them with dignity, and they actually get the choice of what they need,” says Lindsay.
Next, we were led down the adjacent alley to see an example of how everybody can benefit from neighbourhood awareness and beautification — especially in neglected corridors like our alleyways. We saw one of six sets of planters designed by Jonathan Luckhurst, an urban agriculture consultant, indoor farm builder, and biophilic designer. These robust planters are self-wicking and only need watering about once a month depending on the heat! Anyone is welcome to harvest from them. Lindsay says, “Take what you need! Parsley grows a lot, so if you need it, come and grab it.”
Part of the Green Alleys project also involves brightening the area with art, establishing safer play areas for children, cleaning up the alleyway litter and debris and deterring crime. The “Make the Call” initiative gives guidance in how to report non-emergency situations such as problem properties, needles in the alley, garbage dumping, speeding vehicles on residential streets, and other suspicious or criminal issues.
“A big initiative that we have been doing and pushing out is ‘see something, say something’,” says Lindsay. “Police will always tell you that they don't know what they don't know.” The more calls about that same issue or that same address help increase the priority.
She added, “Instead of just having some meetings, we walk around the neighborhood pointing out problems and asking questions. Residents are reminded that their voice matters and they can find a path to reporting their problem by following the guidance given on the website.
This grocery fulfillment program asks caring donors to help twice a month with a $75 shopping trip that is delivered directly to a family in need by the volunteers themselves. Right now they are overwhelmed with families needing assistance and you can find out more about how to help your community on the website.
The next stop was St. Faith Church to meet host Betty Kaahwa. As a newcomer to Canada, Kaahwa took the love and support she received from the community and decided to give it back by being a cornerstone of the Lodgepole’s programs.
Their programs are varied and include Indigenous teachings, art therapy, recovery meetings, reintegration of people who have been incarcerated, a collective kitchen, a bakery, and weekly meals. They serve breakfast every Saturday 10-11 am, lunch on Thursdays 11:30-12:30 pm, and dinner on Fridays 5-6 pm.
The bakery program is a point of pride for Kaahwa. It brings together new immigrants and residents that needed a hand in their path forward. “We have a local bakery, it's all for the community,” she explains. “The people reintegrating make cookies and sourdough bread, and the people from Africa, they make Ugandan treats like chapatis, samosas, and mandazi.”
“We work with reintegration, people who have been incarcerated who feel they have lost hope. They come and learn skills and they give us their skills as well,” adds Kaahwa.
She also reiterates the need for more volunteers in helping transform the lives of those seeking support: “We need people for sales, people who can be in the kitchen. We especially need help with transportation.”
Lodgepole Communitas operates in two locations, and includes three churches and a wide-ranging community support program with many inclusive entry points. Go to their website to learn more and complete the volunteer form to help out.
Our tour ended outside the The Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts and Stollery Gallery, an organization that helps artists with disabilities or marginalized thrive and grow. While we didn’t do a tour, the facility regularly hosts exhibits and sells works at their shop and online. In addition to the ground floor, the building provides affordable apartment housing to those on a limited budget.
We thanked Megan for her time as she quickly headed to her next volunteer interaction. I was enamoured at the sense of community on the Ave, and how many members there were contributing to the common good on a daily basis. I am probably just scratching the surface, so if you want to fully explore a role as a much needed volunteer, visit The Carrot online or in person at 9351 118 Ave.
Sherridon Routley is a friend of the community who enjoys urban exploring every corner of the city by bicycle. Although he had previously owned a house south of the RCP district and understands the challenges of the area, he now resides in East Glenora.
 | A guest post by
|
Volunteering creates a feeling of acceptance and accomplishment. Thank you for article.