Creating community is as easy as volunteering at Regional Connections: Coordinator

At Regional Connections, Alice Oyardo is at the helm of volunteers — from screening and intake to onboarding, support, and retention.  

The immigration services organization has five core volunteer services: language buddies, conversation circle facilitators, community mentors, classroom helpers, and special events volunteers.

Oyardo said the door to volunteering is open to everyone, and with the various mentorship opportunities, a suitable placement is possible for everyone.  

 ‘We welcome everyone’   

For those who prefer working one-on-one, the language buddy program matches a volunteer with a client to practice informal English conversation. 

The mentorship program also offers a one-on-one option of a different sort that provides an essential service to those who benefit significantly from it. 

“These volunteers will guide our newcomers, because they don’t know anything about the community,” said the volunteer coordinator.  

“The goal is for these newcomers to familiarize themselves with the community [within six months with the help of a mentor].” 

Group setting volunteers 

If a group setting is preferred, the conversation circle (which aims to increase confidence in speaking English with others) is a better fit.  

There is also the possibility of joining the classroom setting to become a helper in Regional Connections’ English classes or volunteering for special events.  

Volunteers help the vision  

Regardless of the type of activity one chooses, Oyardo said community members who are willing to give their time “play a big role in the organization” as it continues to pursue its vision: building community. 

“Our clients are [mostly] newcomers, so … having a volunteer, like a language buddy or facilitator for our conversation circle, this will give them the feeling of belonging,” she said. 

“And at the same time, they are able to gain friends.” 

Oyardo reiterates that anyone of any age — from those who have strong English skills to those working to improve their proficiency — is welcome to volunteer in the area that suits them best. 

Creating community is enjoyable, too 

Oyardo has worked with Regional Connections for just over a year now, and for her, working with the organization has blended work with the opportunity to connect with and get to know a wide range of people. 

The same opportunity is also available to volunteers.   

“It’s really fulfilling because I get to work with amazing people, and at the same time, I get to learn different stories from different people,” she said. 

To volunteer with Regional Connections, click here. 

With files from Ty Hildebrand and Jayme Giesbrecht