A Volunteer Success Story - submitted by Chris C.
Since I first began volunteering roughly five months ago, Ken and I have developed a strong friendship and both of us look forward to seeing each other every week. It feels good to know that in taking the effort to become a volunteer and make weekly visits, I’ve become a reliable companion to someone who really needs one. The benefits of this experience have definitely been mutual. Ken has taught me so much about life; he is always willing to offer pieces of advice he feels to be important and shares his perspectives on things and the challenges he faces. His passion for music and the classic rock era are astounding. For someone like myself who has a mild obsession with the music and culture of the 60’s and 70’s, Ken’s first-hand knowledge of the times and his stories as a youth during the hippy era are much appreciated. My obsession is matched (and surpassed) only by Ken himself – every week without fail we will make our visit to Chapters or Indigo where Ken picks up a music magazine. They are quiet times together – Ken left his rebelliousness and unruliness in the 60’s and 70’s (his staff might disagree!) – but both of us enjoy every minute of it. There will always be something new that Ken finds out about his favorite bands that he passes on to me. I’ve definitely expanded my music collection based on his professional recommendations. Ken’s desire to read and acquire more knowledge about the things he loves has proven to me that being passionate about something can help you conquer the greatest difficulties in life. I was floored when he told me how he learned to read, in part, from the back of album covers he studied as a young man.
Overall the experience of volunteering has shown me that I have the capacity to help people in my community and I am grateful that Community Living Burlington has given me the opportunity to actualize that ability. It has definitely not been a chore in any way. Each and every time I leave Ken’s house after our visits together I always feel as if I’ve grown as an individual. And I definitely feel that making this commitment is helping me make decisions about what I want to do with my life. Thank you to Ken’s staff for all of the good work you do with all the residents and for letting me meet up a good friend once each week.
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