Volunteering can be a great way for newcomers to build their resumé, gain experience, and integrate into the community. This can be especially beneficial for those who may not yet have local work experience or who are looking to transition into a new career field.
The North Shore Volunteer Fair provides this platform for hopeful volunteers and non-profit organizations to connect. The event will return to North Vancouver City Library for the second year on Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“Over 200 people attended last year. A survey indicated that people were satisfied with the event overall. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about the community’s needs, and some of them ended up volunteering with the organizations afterward,” said Alex Kershaw, volunteer engagement specialist with North Shore Community Resources, organizers of the event along with the North Shore Immigrant Inclusion Partnership.
She added between 28 and 30 organizations will participate this year, each with its own table. Attendees can gather information about the organizations and their volunteer opportunities and even sign up to express their interest. Volunteer co-ordinators will follow up with those who sign up.
“Right now, we have all these organizers, including Impact North Shore, MONOVA, and all the libraries on the North Shore. We get together as an organizing committee and put this event together,” Kershaw said.
When asked about which age groups are more involved in volunteering, she noted that they have newcomers, retirees, and people in their 50s and 60s who want to stay active instead of staying home.
Volunteering opportunities programs are plentiful. They can involve friendly visits to seniors in their homes, looking after their pets for a few weeks when they need surgery, or light yard work for those interested in gardening. These require minimal experience – just a willingness to help.
Volunteer North Shore acts as a conduit, guiding volunteers toward opportunities that match their interests. It directs volunteers to the specific organizations where they can apply and assists organizations in advertising and sharing their information.
Once a month, Kershaw holds information sessions where people can register to learn about all these opportunities. For more information, you can visit the North Shore Community Resources website.
Fatemeh Falah is an intern reporter with the North Shore News. She can be contacted at [email protected].
