Dawn was looking to volunteer in an office position which she felt would help her to both maintain her current administrative skills as well as help her learn new skills while looking for paid employment in her field.

The Children's Foundation helped me fund my children's soccer and camp fees and so I felt that volunteering with this organization would be my way of 'giving back' for the help. My volunteer work has put me in a happier frame of mind and provided me with a very positive environment to get involved with the bigger picture.

My self-esteem has been boosted by the appreciation that's shown by the staff at the Children's Foundation. They make me feel valued and I know what to expect when I come in to do my volunteer hours - courtesy, respect, support, encouragement and consistency. As a past client, and now a volunteer, I can educate others about the programs that are available. This financial support can enhance the lives of families. This makes me feel good about sharing my story with others.

I feel like I'm helping the community and that I'm part of the 'bigger picture.' Volunteering makes me feel like a more positive member of society and makes me feel like I'm making a difference. On one occasion, as an ambassador of the Children's Foundation at the Multicultural Festival, I was able to provide information about programs and services that families might not otherwise have known about. This sharing of information may result in members of the public seeking out the help that they need.

When I think about what impact volunteering has on others, I'm reminded of my childhood and going to camp for a week with my brother. The volunteer camp counsellors really cared about the campers, they helped me feel more confident and helped me in building new friendships with the other campers. I grew personally and in my relationship with my brother through this experience.

When I told my son that I was volunteering, he seemed proud of me. He can see that I'm interested in helping others and that is providing a positive example for him.