We all need help at one time or another. Life is rarely easy and we all face various challenges at different times in our lives, some personal, some circumstantial. Some, sadly, happen through no fault of one's own.
After attending a meeting and listening to Sean Lougheed, team leader of the Sunshine Coast Youth Outreach (SCYO), speak of the work his organization does, I was reminded about the importance of assisting those in need and how a little really does go a long way.
Before moving to the Sunshine Coast, I was a volunteer at a drop-in centre for sex trade workers in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. The centre is a women's only space, run by women for women, and provides a safe place for them for a few hours in the evening, getting them off the street.
I prepared and served food, washed dishes and handed out clothing donations. Sometimes I sat and listened to women who just needed to talk, needed someone to listen to them.
Their stories impacted me greatly. Nearly all came from physical or sexual abuse and were unable to escape from the vicious cycle of poverty and addictions. Not one woman ever told me she chose to be where she was, the chaotic and dangerous lifestyle she was entrenched in. She somehow just ended up there, thinking there was nothing else for her. She had simply fallen through the cracks.
It is important for everyone to feel a sense of validity, particularly those who are young and vulnerable. By engaging in volunteer work in the community, not only do we show we care for others, we are able to provide a solid foundation, a potential safety net to prevent people, of all ages, from falling through the cracks.
While I knew I wasn't able to completely change the lives of the women at the centre, I felt happy knowing a few hours of my time, whether serving a hot meal or handing out clothing items, made an impact, even if a small or temporary one. That one act of kindness could possibly empower someone to attain further assistance, breaking free from the continual barriers, challenges and judgment she faces, and make a difference in someone's life.
Volunteering is good for the community, and good for the soul. There were many times I found myself not wanting to attend my volunteer shifts, especially after having a bad day at work, feeling tired or worried by my own problems. I went, though, and my bad mood was instantly relieved.
A few laughs, a few silly jokes and having the women at the centre say a heartfelt "thank you" while I served dinner made it worth my time.
A few hours of volunteering can enable change, strengthen the community and act as a way to get to know others while working as a team.
To get information on volunteering in your community, or accessing services, please visit the Sunshine Coast Community Services website at www.sccss.ca.
