Volunteer Work Day
Three grown men stood close, teeth clenched and brows furrowed. Sweat poured down the forehead of one of them as he breathed heavily. Occasional words were exchanged in Spanish and English as they squared off uneasily and shifted their weight from side to side. All that stood between them was… the triple bunk bed they were assembling together for new refugee claimants in a spacious house in Coquitlam! But this was not the first triple bunk bed, it was the third and final one – the result of a full Saturday morning of bolts and allen wrenches, screws and ratcheting screwdrivers, teamwork and cups of lukewarm coffee.
All together, eight JHC volunteers assembled three triple bunk beds (along with a regular one), a queen bed, four couches, eight living room armchairs, and twelve kitchen chairs. All of these served to provide temporary furniture in three separate suites in a large vacant house and laneway. This property, acquired through a vital partnership with Quantum Properties and Journey Home Community’s Meanwhile Spaces Program, was handed over in rough shape while waiting to be developed. Thanks to a volunteer crew of cleaners and assemblers, a bleak and uninviting space is now serving as a transitional home to three families.
Waking up on a Saturday morning to go to work is never easy, but whenever I arrive and see a group of volunteers giving up their free time on the weekend I am both humbled and inspired. There’s a camaraderie that gives a bit of hope amidst all of the challenging circumstances refugee families encounter on a daily basis. It’s a joy to see former program participants volunteering alongside settled Canadians, Spanish conversing with English, adults mentoring youth…
Work parties like this are so critical to the ongoing maintenance of all of our properties. WIthout volunteers, staff would be overworked and overwhelmed! We are so grateful for every floorboard scrubbed, every toilet bowl disinfected, and every mattress carried up a narrow flight of stairs.
“I can’t do much, but I helped my daughter assemble some IKEA furniture once,” says a volunteer over pizza as we look over the long row of kitchen chairs she has meticulously pieced together with accuracy and speed. “Don’t mention it!” shrugs another in Spanish, even though he has also recently assembled every single new office desk and chair for JHC. “I broke up and gathered all of the cardboard boxes from the houses and stuffed it into my truck. I’ll drop it at the recycling depot on my way home,” states one of our most reliable long-term volunteers. He drives off before I have the chance to properly thank him. He’s not looking for recognition – just one of many anonymous volunteers who allow us to do what we do together for incoming families. Thank you!
Are you looking for a way to get involved? Join our volunteer team where you will encounter a fun, supportive, and exciting experience helping us create caring communities.
—Seth Anderson
