MCMASTER OPEN CIRCLE
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER CIRCLES Your guide to all things CVC!
Table of Contents 2022/2023 CVC Groups Introduction to CVC..................................3 Conway Opportunity Homes............4 LAF.........................................................................6 Inasmuch Women's Shelter...............8 Pathways to Education........................10 Reading Rocks..............................................12 Youth Transitions Program...............14 Reflections.....................................................16
WHAT IS CVC? McMaster Open Circle is a charity organization that supports students through self reflection, creativity, motivation, and connection. Open Ciricle prioritizes creating a diverse space in which all voices are valued and respected, emphasizing the ways in which community making can enrich student life. We host a variety of events including reflection circles, retreats, group activites, and volunteer sessions to promote togetherness and growth. An important element of McMaster Open Circle is our Community Volunteer Circles Program. This is a space in which students can connect with the wider Hamilton community, gain new experiences, connect with peers, and build an understanding of community work. CVC currently works with seven different agencies across Hamilton, offering volunteer opportunities working with recent Canadian immigrants, tutoring children, spending time with seniors, and more. Volunteering provides a space for students to remove themselves from their everyday school experiences and to gain perspective about the world around us while giving back to the Hamilton community.
CONWAY OPPORTUNITY HOMES
CONWAY OPPORTUNITY HOMES
Conway is a residence in downtown Hamilton for adults living with developmental disabilities. It offers a space of community for its residents, providing assistancce, companionship, and support. It is a great space to gain experience working with a diverse range of people and to give back to the Hamilton community.
BECOME A VOLUNTEER Volunteers at Conway provide companionship to residents, in both individual and group settings. Volunteers participate in community building activities such as playing board games, making crafts, watching movies, baking, and having conversations. Its intimate setting allows volunteers and residents to get to know each other on a personal level, and to develop lasting connections.
HEAR FROM CONWAY VOLUNTEERS...
Why did you choose to volunteer at Conway? "I had no experience working with seniors and I wanted to expand the types of people I'm around. I tend to be very shy, and volunteering at Conway has allowed me to gain confidence while providing company and support."
Specific memories you would like to share? "I love when we do group activities. We've done things like cookie decorating, making cards, and playing trivial pursuit. We decorated cupcakes for one of the residents' birthdays which was special."
How has volunteering impacted other aspects of your life? "It gives me time to think about others and to remove myself from my own issues. It reminds me to be mindful of other people in all of my relationships. I've also gotten to meet lots of like minded people at McMaster."
What advice would you give to future volunteers? "Try to see it as a learning opportunity. You don't need to come in as a perfect volunteer - we're all learning together."
LAF MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
BECOME A MENTOR
Through volunteering with LAF, students have the opportunity to mentor youth from grades 1-8 in an after school program that promotes financial literacy, community engagement, and the development of lasting connections. It is a great place to gain experience working with children in a fast paced environment.
WELCOME INN COMMUNITY CENTRE The Welcome Inn Community Centre offers ccommunity assistance in the form of after school programs, mental health workshops, food drives, dinners for seniors, and more.
HEAR FROM LAF VOLUNTEERS... Why did you choose to volunteer with LAF? "I wanted to open myself up to learning from children. They can teach us about not being scared to be wrong, learning to try new things, and being more patient."
Are there any specific memories you would like to share? "The most rewarding thing has been building relationships with the kids having them remember you, learning things about each other, and seeing them grow."
How has volunteering impacted other aspects of your life? "It clears the tunnel vision that school creates and gives perspective on issues that people in Hamilton are facing. It's made me more aware of the privilege of having access to housing and food."
What advice would you give to future volunteers? "Don't be afraid to go out of you comfort zone." "Do it because you really want to - make sure you're committed." "Be open to learning from your community. Don't be afraid to ask questions and try new things."
INASMUCH WOMENS SHELTER
BECOME A VOLUNTEER
Volunteers at Inasmuch help to support the shelter's services by providing care and companionship for children while their parents are receiving support. Volunteering here is a great opportunity to gain experience working with children in a social justice setting.
INASMUCH HOUSE
Inasmuch House provides living acommodations, food, clothing, and other supports to women, non-binary people, and children who have experienced viloence/abuse. Inasmuch works to connect people with the resources and support they need to build healthy, independent lives.
HEAR FROM INASMUCH VOLUNTEERS...
Why did you choose to volunteer with Inasmuch? "I chose this group as I love volunteering with children but also because I have personally witnessed many instances of domestic and emotional abuse against the women in my life and so volunteering with a womens shelter was a perfect opportunity for me to be part of the solution no matter how small."
Are there any specific memories you would like to share?
"Every moment of my volunteering time is meaningful to me. There was a little boy who cried every time his mother left him and we were at a loss. But I came up with the idea of juggling with a small ball and he stopped crying when he saw it. I was so relieved and happy."
How has volunteering impacted other aspects of your life?
"Volunteering allows me to give back to my community, take time from my week to do something impactful and helpful for others, and has also helped me find a lot of peace within my own life. Its an amazing opportunity to reflect on the priveleges i have, to be grateful for them, and to make changes!"
What advice would you give to future volunteers? "Pick volunteer opportunities that really align with your passions and social justice issues that you are driven to help promote change for! This will ensure that not only will you stick to your commitments but also that you enjoy the full experience and do your best!"
PATHWAYS TO EDUCATION
COMPASS COMMUNITY HEALTH
Compass Community Health is a health centre in the North End of Hamilton that offers a wide range of public services and support. Through their Pathways to Education program, they offer academic, financial, and social supports to high school students in the Hamilton area and beyond. The Pathways Program helps to remove barriers to graduation, and works to promote positive development.
BECOME A TUTOR Tutors with the Pathways to Education program provide indivual support to high school students. Tutors act as a resource for academic support as well as with social development. Working with Pathways provides volunteers with the opportunity to develop their communication and teaching skills while also forming social connections with students. Help high school students to de-stress, make new friends, and learn valubale skills,
HEAR FROM PATHWAYS VOLUNTEERS...
Why did you choose to volunteer with Pathways?
"I love working with youths! I want to provide a presence that I desire in my own life, that reminds me that nothing is really as cataclysmic as it seems. I love helping kids that I resonate with, once being in their place myself, and seeing them succeed at something I know they can. I love witnessing their first encounters with seeing themselves succeed and the confidence that gives."
Are there any specific memories you would like to share? "I've found it very interesting tutoring high-school kids. For example, I find myself struggling with a particular subject or concept along with the high-school students, and it’s a very fun and rewarding process that we solve problems together.
How has volunteering impacted other aspects of your life? "When volunteering, you typically take on a more extroverted role. It may require you to act differently than what you normally do and step out of your comfort zone. Volunteering has taught me how to balance these different sides of myself."
What advice would you give to future volunteers? "Take time to reflect on your volunteer experience and what you have learned from it. Consider how your volunteer work has impacted your personal growth, career development, and overall well-being."
READING ROCKS
CENTRE FOR DIVERSE LEARNERS
The Centre for Diverse Learners is an educational organization in Burlington that works to support students with diverse learning needs. Their mission is to empower learners through education, advocacy, and services. Through their online Reading Rocks program, they provide one on one literary support to students from ages 6-12.
BECOME A LITERACY TUTOR
Reading Rocks volunteers are paired up with a student for an eight week program in which they provide support with literacy concepts like phonics, sight words, and fluency. Tutoring sessions take place twice a week, and volunteers are responsible for planning individualized lessons that will best support their student. Volunteers work with students to build confidence in setting realistic goals, motivation, and self regulation.
HEAR FROM READING ROCKS VOLUNTEERS... Why did you choose to volunteer with Reading Rocks? "I chose Reading Rocks because I can relate to the kids. I always struggled in school when I was younger, so I wanted to help kids in similar situations. I want to help students to experience the fun of learning to read and speak fluently."
Specific memories you would like to share? "It can be a challenging and slow process, but it's so rewarding to see kids start to come out of their shell. Seeing them build confidence and participate, and being able to see their progress is such an amazing experience."
How has volunteering impacted other aspects of your life? "I never realized how much you can help someone by doing small things. There are simple ways to make a difference that don't feel intimidating or impossible. Something as simple as going on zoom for an hour can have a big impact on someone's life."
What advice would you give to future volunteers? "Don't be too hard on yourself. Sometimes it can seem like your tutoring isn't working, but be patient. All you can do is try your best. Give yourself a pat on the back because you are doing a good thing, and you're helping your student in ways you might not realize."
YOUTH IN TRANSITION PROGRAM
YMCA OF HAMILTON The YMCA in Hamilton is a community centre offering a wide variety of resources to the community. Their Youth in Transition Program offers a space for young adults from ages 16-24 to transition to a more independent lifestyle. Working to connect youth with the resoures available to them, the Youth in Transition Program offers support in creating and implementing personal goals. They offer educational, financial, housing, legal, and employment support.
BECOME A TUTOR Volunteers with the Youth in Transition Program provide companionship and tutoring to high school students. Tutors offer educational and social support through homework help and conversation. As a tutor you will provide one-on-one help to high school students in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.This is a great place to gain experiene teaching and supporting the needs of students.
HEAR FROM YOUTH TRANSITIONS VOLUNTEERS...
Why did you choose to volunteer with the Youth Transitions Program? "It's nice to help students achieve their goals and so rewarding to see them succeed. You get to help other students through moments that feel really big and important."
Are there any specific memories you would like to share? "I feel like my student is tutoring me. She brings super interesting homework like Earth and Space science and we get to work through new material and figure it out together."
How has volunteering impacted other aspects of your life? "I'm a big introvert and I find it hard to talk to people, but volunteering has helped me to improve my communication. I'm better at explaining large concepts in simple terms, which is applicable to so many careers, like nursing and teaching."
What advice would you give to future volunteers? "Be consistent. Sometimes you don't even realize the connections you are forming iwith students and it's important to be there every week to hear about how their assignments went and just to be there for them."
REFLECT WITH CVC! What does community mean to you?
REFLECTING WITH CVC Reflection is an integral part of volunteering with CVC. After each volunteering session, the goup facilitators will lead a thirty minute reflection activity, inviting volunteers to think about and share their experiences. These post-volunteering reflection circles provide volunteers with an opportunity to connect with their peers and to build meaningful connections with their experiences during volunteering. Through mindfulness practices, creative expression, and discussion, volunteers are able to meaningfully connect to their experiences and to incorporate the lessons learned while volunteering into the rest of their lives. These sessions offer a safe space for connecting with yourself and others in an atmosphere of respect and shared experience. On the previous page, please enjoy a selection of reflections from current CVC volunteers. Thinking about the question, "What does community mean to you?", volunteers were asked to draw a picture communicating their understanding of community. These are some great examples of a fun, lowpressure reflection that generated lots of important discussion. Volunteering with CVC is an amazing way to connect to fellow McMaster students as well as the larger Hamilton community in an exciting and generative way. We look forward to seeing you soon!