I recently had the joy of traveling to Canada for a special occasion: my sister’s wedding vow renewal. The timing couldn’t have been better, as it came right after I passed my national counseling exam. This was a significant milestone for me, and passing the exam was a huge relief. It was the hardest exam I’d ever taken, far surpassing the difficulty of subjects like chemistry, physics, calculus, algebra, and even human anatomy. But I did it, and the very next day, I was on a plane to Canada, feeling overjoyed and much less stressed.
The journey took me to Vancouver, and then by ferry to the island where my family was gathered. The weather was perfect, and the celebration started the moment I was picked up from the ferry. We laughed, cooked, ate, danced, and I fell in love with my fur baby niece, Kei, the dog. It was a wonderful time with family, filled with love and joy.
After the vow renewal festivities, where I proudly served as the emcee, I carved out some time to volunteer. My organization encourages giving back, and I had heard about the significant homelessness and drug addiction issues on East Hastings Street in Vancouver. Given my work with a similar population in Phoenix, I felt compelled to help.
I signed up to volunteer at the Union Gospel Mission (UGM) in downtown Vancouver. The UGM is dedicated to transforming communities by overcoming poverty, homelessness, and addiction. They provide various services, including food, shelter, outreach, and recovery programs, much like the Phoenix Rescue Mission.
My assignment was to work in the kitchen, prepping food and putting together boxes for those in need. The volunteer process was not the easiest, but my heart was in it, so I persevered. Witnessing people come through to get boxed lunches was deeply moving. I loved that they were offering both vegetarian and meat lover meals. Some regulars were greeted by name. It was a beautiful mix of different races, ages and abilities, all treated with respect and leaving with food and water.
Volunteering in a different city and country was incredibly rewarding. It felt good to give back and see the impact firsthand. After my shift, I walked down East Hastings Street. The magnitude of homelessness and addiction there was overwhelming. I felt humbled, sad, and even scared at times, but it was important for me to see it for myself. As I walked, I prayed for the people, seeing them through my therapist’s perspective as individuals crying out for help, many likely dealing with trauma and turning to substances to numb their pain.
I want to encourage others to take advantage of volunteer opportunities, especially if your organization offers volunteer time off. Volunteering while on vacation is a unique and fulfilling experience. It allows you to give back to communities beyond your own and offers a different perspective on the struggles people face globally.
This experience in Vancouver was a stark reminder of the world’s pain and the need for more compassion and support. Let’s do better and help our friends, family, and those struggling with trauma. Volunteering is one way to make a difference, and I hope my story inspires you to take action.
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