Loading ...Volunteering
Hello. My name is Hugh Roberts and I am a volunteer teacher for the Salvation Army’s Immigrant & Refugee Services (IRS). I volunteer twice a week and every time I arrive at IRS I am greeted with a great sense of kindness, support and acceptance. It has been a great pleasure to work in such a positive environment and with such amazing people.
I also believe that the Salvation Army has helped me just as much as I have helped them. I have recently immigrated to Canada from England and I have had to adjust to living in another country away from my friends and family. This adjustment has been challenging, but the support from my Canadian wife and indeed the Salvation Army has made it easier on me. Being welcomed into the organization with open arms and working with the wonderful staff and students has helped me to feel like part of the community.
I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching at IRS and meeting the inspirational students from all around the world. This opportunity has allowed me to help other newcomers integrate into Canadian society and I have loved sharing stories and chatting about our experiences of life in Canada and abroad. I have learned so much from them and I admire their strength and perseverance.
Sadly, I have to leave IRS in the summer as I am going to teach English language conversation in South Korea. I will be out of the country for an extended period of time, but when I return I hope to continue helping the IRS in any way I can. It has been a pleasure and an honour working for the Salvation Army and I cannot thank you enough for what you have given to me.
Best Wishes Always,
Hugh
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When they say leaders are not born but made, they are undoubtedly talking about people who volunteer. Besides offering an opportunity to express or nurture leadership abilities, volunteering for The Salvation Army helps stretch financial contributions further and quite literally makes possible our many programs and services.
To be effective in today’s society, The Salvation Army needs volunteers as never before. Throughout its history the Army has relied on the volunteer skills of not only its own members, but those in the community who support the Army’s goals as it seeks to alleviate the most obvious and serious needs of those who ask for our help.
Without volunteers much of this work could not be done. They put in untold hours at our social welfare services, canvas door-to-door during the Red Shield Appeal and sit on Advisory Board across the country. They are also at work in many of our programs, sharing their own life experience with those we help.