National Volunteer Week 2022

During National Volunteer Week, we want to personally thank all of our volunteers for giving their time and energy to support the Niagara community. At United Way, our goal is simple – we want to help make Niagara a better place for all. Getting there however, is a much more challenging task. With the passion and dedication of volunteers, we can work together to combat the challenges our community faces head on. In addition to the volunteers listed
here, we thank the more than 400 event, workplace and special initiative volunteers who assist United Way throughout the year.

Many of the programs and agencies we support need volunteers to thrive. It’s because of these kindhearted individuals that people in need will find a roof over their head, food on their table and mental health support when they need it. With continued support, we hope that one day Niagara will solve the #UNIGNORABLE issues in our community and do better than normal.

In celebration of National Volunteer Week, we reached out to a few of our volunteers to recognize their contributions and find out more about why they believe volunteering is important.

Mike Clarke
Mel Groom
Jessica McCourt
Chante Chevalier

Mike Clarke is a United Way volunteer who lends his time as a member of the Community Investment Panel.

Q: Why do you feel it’s important to volunteer for United Way Niagara?

A: There is so much need within our community that is invisible to most of us. Helping to serve others is a privilege. United Way highlights the efforts of so many and allows me to support initiatives that are personal to me and others.

Q: What have you learned during your volunteer experience about the role of non-profits in our community and how we can do better?

A: I’ve learned a lot about the specific needs and funding challenges that many non-profits have trying to make a positive difference for those that they serve. Funding from United Way can help so many local agencies, addressing issues locally and helping individuals where it is needed. It’s great that United Way can help fund a variety of non-profits and adapt to move funds where there is the highest need, during COVID-19 this adaptability was even more vital.

Q: What is one thing you want the community at large to know about United Way or volunteering in general?

A: I couldn’t pick just one! United Way secures funding that is beyond the reach of many agencies via its staff, volunteers and infrastructure. By using a need and impact-based decision model, with oversight by community members, United Way can find the key priorities to address within our communities. United Way also commits to funding for three years to agencies, allowing them to better focus and provide a sustainable impact to those they help.

Mel Groom has been a United Way donor for over 30 years and during that time has volunteered on a number of our committees, most recently as a member of Women United.

Q: Why do you feel it’s important to volunteer for United Way Niagara?

A: I have always felt like we have a responsibility to lend our neighbours a hand when they need it, because “community” means all of us. It is our duty to ensure quality of life for all. In my decades long relationship with United Way, I’ve seen how they support so many in so many ways including mental health, social isolation, food insecurity, homelessness, domestic violence, poverty and disadvantaged youth.

Q: What have you learned during your volunteer experience about the role of non-profits in our community and how we can do better?

A: They say it takes a village, and I’ve learned this to be true – especially during past two years. As needs change, we as a community need to change with them. I’m proud that United Way understands and adapts to react immediately when the need is greater.

Q: What is one thing you want the community at large to know about United Way or volunteering in general?

A: You need to be passionate about where you volunteer your time. Do your research and pick the charity that speaks to your values and supports initiatives that you believe in…and don’t wait for the opportunity to volunteer to find you – jump right in! The help is always needed.

Jessica McCourt is the one of the Employee Campaign Coordinators for General Motors St. Catharines and also a member of the gennext Cabinet.

Q: Why do you feel it’s important to volunteer for United Way Niagara?

A: A big part of why I volunteer with United Way Niagara is because I know so many people who have benefited from the non-profits they partner with. In my workplace, I am a union rep and one of my roles is to connect members with community partners when they are needing resources. Some of the resources I regularly connect them with are mental health supports, foodbanks, 211 and women’s shelters. These all fall under United Way’s umbrella. I have seen the care and support shown to people who are important to me and volunteering my time and energy is a way for me to show gratitude.

Q: What have you learned during your volunteer experience about the role of non-profits in our community and how we can do better?

A: As a volunteer I have been able to connect with many different non-profits and their initiatives in our communities and in doing so I have seen from the ground level just how many people from all walks of life rely on their services. It has been humbling to see workers and volunteers meet those in need with grace and understanding while doing their best to stretch resources and help as many people as possible. I’ve learned that even though so many great things are being done to help our most vulnerable everyday – there is always a need for more support.

Q: What is one thing you want the community at large to know about United Way or volunteering in general?

A: Volunteering and becoming involved with United Way has been such a rewarding experience for me. Living through the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the injustices in our communities that United Way has been trying to address for decades. Being able to help in a practical way by giving my time and energy makes me feel like I am helping take steps forward.

Also – it can be really fun! Meeting new people and engaging in positive, constructive activities that leave you feeling lifted is a great way to combat negativity.

Chante Chevalier was gracious enough to share her personal volunteer story about the Niagara Garden Network and how it impacted not only the community but her family as well.

Just prior to the pandemic, my special needs family relocated to a new town. An esteemed member of this community included us as a beneficiary of a Niagara Garden Network raised bed. We were touched to be able to carry on with a beloved hobby we thought was lost in the move. We spent a lot of therapeutic hours out in our vegetable garden and it was such a success, that the following year we added a second bed and let’s just say our gardening has continued to flourish ever since. Because of the creative ways we started gardening, an opportunity came about to meet the people at Niagara Garden Network who gave us the boxes.

Truly lovely and knowledgeable people. Not only did their passion for gardening and food sustainability benefit my family but our neighbourhood is now brimming with gardens! In fact, our town is a site to behold of all the beds community members have because of their advocating on our behalf. When I heard about the new collaboration with NGN and United Way to do a town greenhouse project, I just HAD to be involved. Because of these wonderful people, my family are now connected in our new community, and we are accepted, just the way we are. I am a single parent with children on the autism spectrum, so we do everything together as a necessity.

The entire team accepted ALL of us, valued ALL of us, and empowered ALL of us to be confident about our skills. We came together as a community of volunteers with their organizations, mostly brand new to gardens and greenhouses. Their unwavering support and kindness made it a safe place to be our selves, and to learn from them without judgement.

We have learned so much from their efforts, that my youngest son brings other children to the house to share with them how they can grow too. It is my absolute privilege to be amidst these people who have both passion and compassion for empowering ALL PEOPLE to thrive. Looking forward to growing, in all kinds of ways, with the team.