‘Giving back feels amazing’
Shelter Movers is a volunteer-powered charitable organization that provides moving, storage services at no cost to individuals, families fleeing abuse
Volunteer week is celebrated annually the week of April 21st. For many organizations, volunteers play a pivotal part in its day-to-day operations.
IT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER
Kathleen Ryan from Brudenell, P.E.I., is a secondyear university student.
In addition to a full course load, Ryan also makes time to volunteer, which includes being an assistant coach to the Montague High School women’s basketball team, as well as a Meals On Wheels driver.
Involved with a multitude of sports growing up, Ryan says she witnessed the behindthe-scenes action of people putting so much effort into youth and the community.
“I quickly realized that this was something that I wanted to do and contribute to as I got older, realizing how much I benefited from the support,” said Ryan. “Giving back feels amazing.”
Ryan says she is passionate about volunteering because it brings people together and points out that with many different volunteering opportunities available, “you can find one that fits you and brings joy and new connections into your life.”
“The sense of community and the opportunity to learn is so important in volunteering - gaining knowledge about local resources available to solve community needs, discovering hidden talents that may change your view on your self-worth, and meeting new people with whom you might not have originally crossed paths with,” she said.
VALUABLE LIFE SKILLS
As a young person, Ryan says that volunteering has brought fun and fulfillment into her life, gotten her out of her comfort zone, and taught her valuable life skills. “Volunteering has innumerable positive aspects that I can’t help but be passionate about it.”
For anyone wanting to expand their horizons and get started volunteering, Ryan recommends starting by doing your research and contacting the head co-ordinator for the organization you are interested in working with.
“You can also join with friends/family or ask for a detailed walkthrough of what you will be doing. These can be big confidence boosters and will help you get into the groove of things,” she said.
“Most of all I recommend just doing it. You will have absolutely no regrets.”
CIVIC MINDEDNESS
Labrador City resident Noreen Careen is the retired Executive Director with Labrador of the West Status Women and Victim Services Assistant.
Her friend Leo Bonnell says of Careen, “I don’t think there is an organization or group in her home town of Labrador City that Noreen has not been or is actively involved with in a leadership role.”
Truer words were never spoken as Careen is currently volunteering with a multitude of organizations: Chairperson with N.L. Housing and Homelessness Network; CoChair with Labrador West Housing and Homelessness Coalition; Board member with the Provincial Advisory Council on Aging and Seniors; Board member with the N.L. Prevention of Elder Abuse (Seniors NL); Vice Chair with Alzheimer’s NL; Committee member with Child Death Review Committee; Chairperson of Twin Cities Seniors’ 50+ Club; and a Board member with local Church Finance Committee.
“I was always encouraged by my parents growing up to be engaged in the community and to give back. Civic mindedness is the reason I donate my time,” Careen said.
Careen is passionate about volunteering because “I feel it is incumbent on all of us to give back to community. Every community need leaders to champion volunteerism.”
She points out that volunteers are the heart of the community and that giving your time results in connections that helps to prevent social isolation.
“Volunteering brings a sense of fulfillment and opportunities to meet new people while improving physical and mental health.”
For someone wishing to start volunteering, Careen recommends reaching out to organizations that fuel their passion.
WORKING WITH GENUINE BIG-HEARTED TEAM MEMBERS
Located in six Canadian provinces, Shelter Movers is a volunteer-powered charitable organization that provides moving and storage services at no cost to individuals and families fleeing abuse. Established in July 2019, Shelter Movers Nova Scotia (SMNS) has headquarters in Halifax and two rural extensions in the Annapolis Valley and the South Shore. SMNS offers their services to over 60 per cent of the Nova Scotian population.
Matt Hunter is a lead mover for low-, medium-, and highrisk moves for the Nova
Scotia chapter in Halifax. For Hunter, this volunteer role began as a great way to meet people when he was new to the city two and a half years ago. But it grew to be more than that.
“Aside from being able to work with genuine bighearted team members, it’s nice being able to help others escape from difficult and/ or traumatic life experiences which they do not deserve. Plus, when you see the survivor smiling after the move, and realizing they can finally start a new chapter in life, makes it all worthwhile,” he said.
Hunter feels that Shelter Movers community is a great place to volunteer “because they can put everybody’s different skills and talents to good use, to help individuals in need.”
HAD TO BE PART OF IT
Jennifer O’Neil of Bedford, a Lead Mover for Shelter Movers, is no stranger to volunteering.
“I had volunteered in the past with SHYM (Supportive Housing for Young Mothers) as a single parent. I felt I could support from the prospective of a single mother that cared deeply for my community and the most vulnerable in those communities. I later came across Shelter Movers and was moved by the work they did. I had to be part of it.”
With this volunteer experience, supporting women and children who have just transitioned to safety and the immediate impact it had on their lives, O’Neil said “I can appreciate the importance of being able to move safely without fear. Also having the ability to take your possessions and your children’s possessions. I have experienced many moves with police escort that I know they couldn’t have done it safely without the service Shelter Movers provides.”
If you are interested in volunteering with Shelter Movers, O’Neil says there are both frontline and remote roles to choose from and it is as easy as filling out a volunteer form on the sheltermovers.com website. Due to the nature of the work, she also points out that volunteers receive trauma informed training.
“It will be the most rewarding work you ever do,” she said.
SERVICES WITH COMPASSION, NON-JUDGMENT, AND EMPATHY
Lower Sackville resident Adrien Smith also volunteers with Shelter Movers as a lead mover supervisor, and a relief mover coordinator/ client services. Smith says he was inspired by family members to do volunteer work from a young age stating that “my dad was a volunteer firefighter growing up, so I would help him at different events with my brother, and I loved being involved.”
“I have stayed with Shelter Movers because I believe that the struggle of being able to finance and move out of an abusive situation is something we can really make an impact on as an organization,” said Smith.
“I personally have had the struggle of leaving a difficult living situation due to having limited money and opportunity, and at times not knowing if I could leave. I can only imagine what that feels like when there are higher stakes and safety is at risk. I think we can make a massive difference by offering these services and delivering them with compassion, non-judgment, and empathy.
“Removing that barrier for people and families to have a stable and safe living environment is why I do what I do at Shelter Movers.”
If you are interested in getting involved, Smith says out there is something for everyone, including “administrative roles like scheduling and move co-ordination, finance roles like marketing and fundraising, active roles like being a lead on a move, or driving trucks, and operational roles like managing and directing. The list goes on!”