Consider this your CSR class and say with me “Voh-Lun-Teer”! Again? Now louder!
You do not have to, but you would find that volunteering is a part of the culture and is really another way to penetrate the system. So while you’re pursuing that next big cheque, contract or engagement – take sometime to pick an organization that speaks to your soul and be a part of them (if there is the room for this) by volunteering!
For me it was the organization called – Making changes! This group of indomitable women based out of Calgary have one mission – “To Empower other Women” with a focus on immigrant women.
My first encounter with them was when I had just newly arrived Calgary Canada myself – I had gone to visit a friend, she had the most beautiful deep blue, pencil tapered blue dress on! and I couldn’t stop “wow-ing”!!!!! (Yes I know, I can be a tad bit dramatic with expression but this dress was beautiful!). We had barely gone 5 minutes into the conversation when she said it was from “Making Changes”! and the rest is pretty much history! I sought them out!
The one thing that drew me to their platform was the hunger to give other women a voice. New immigrants and even Canadian citizens still trying to find their feet were offered style make overs and even employment and life skill trainings “at no cost” to enable them seamlessly fit into the society. The vibe, the energy… I thought, if I had to volunteer somewhere, it would be here and so sometime late 2018, I put in a volunteer application, forgot about it and continued battling with SAIT! lol (Story for another day!)
A few weeks into 2019, I got an email from them to come in for a meeting. Let’s just say after we had spoken (for a number of hours) – It turned out we had so many similar interests (I mean tolajimoh.com as an entity and making changes) that it felt like a marriage that was meant to be from the get! I now am not only a volunteer style advisor with them also partnering to spread the word about their programs to the immigrant women society here in Calgary.
Here are some photos from my Day 1 at the business!
NB: My first day was almost overwhelming but it was LOVELY! I could only get to take photos at the end of the day as there were quite a few people who we needed to give a wardrobe make over. The feeling that you have been able to empower someone else is second to none!
I had an amazing time! In another post, I shall be sharing more about what Making Changes does and a whole bunch of other organizations in Calgary dedicated to assisting Permanent Residents and Citizens settle in as seamlessly as possible!
Stay Thriving and Be Positive!
