This year’s National Volunteer Week theme, Ignite Volunteerism, is a year-long effort to celebrate volunteer stories and inspire civic participation across Canada. At its core, it encourages people to reconnect with their communities and “Find Your Thing” — discovering meaningful ways to give back.
Last year, over 737 individual volunteers, 62 YWCA employees, and 39 corporate groups contributed 23,815 hours to the programs and people we serve — supporting housing and food programs, mentoring youth, assisting with events, and more.
To celebrate, we spoke with volunteers from across our community who shared how they “found their thing” and the impact of their work. Some responses have been condensed.
Tracey Flattes
Single Mom Newsletter, Single Mom (4 years)
What keeps you coming back? What part of volunteering excites you most and allows you to make a difference?
As a single mom who was active in the program in 2011, I appreciate the time and devotion that is poured into helping mothers and families when they are at their most vulnerable. I was very fortunate to benefit from group support, legal assistance, donations from other organisations care of YWCA, and attended workshops and conferences. I believe I became a more educated advocate for myself and my children and volunteering to highlight some of these resources for other single moms is a small way of giving back.
How has volunteering with the YWCA changed your perspective on our cause or community?
Both attending the YWCA support groups and later volunteering for them made me realise that no one is in this alone. There is always help, support, advice, and resources available for anyone that needs it. I truly believe that without this support when I was going through my separation, I would not have come out of it as well as I did.
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
Like many single moms, I struggled to raise two young children alone with no financial support from their father. This meant juggling three jobs, childcare, and being a 24/7 parent. Life was not easy, but I came out the other side and I am now the proud mom of a 19- year- old in university and a 15- year- old in high school.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I cannot express how grateful I am to YWCA and the Single Moms’ Support Group for all the help I received over the years. Even after graduating from the group, I have reached out for advice when things came up and there was never any instance where that help was not given. This has been an invaluable lifeline and support for myself and my family and I know many others feel the same.
Olena Yarova
Administrator in the research room, Work BC Coquitlam (3 months)
National Volunteer Week is all about "Finding Your Thing." How did you discover your "thing" and how did that lead you to volunteer with YWCA?
I discovered my “thing” after moving to Canada and going through many changes myself. I realized I enjoy helping people feel more confident and supported during difficult transitions.
That’s what led me to volunteer with YWCA — I wanted to stay active and connect with the community, and it turned into something very meaningful for me.
What is one favourite moment or memory from volunteering that made you feel, "This is my thing?"
One of my favourite moments was when my neighbors came in for help, and I was able to support them. It felt very personal, and in that moment I realized, “This is my thing.”
How has volunteering with the YWCA changed your perspective on our cause or community?
Volunteering with the YWCA really changed how I see the community. I realized how many people are going through challenges that aren’t always visible, and how important support and connection are.
It made me appreciate the impact of even small acts of help and showed me how strong and supportive the community can be.
How has volunteering influenced your personal goals or career path? Has it led to any new opportunities, such as employment?
Volunteering had a big impact on my career path. It helped me build confidence, improve my skills, and better understand the job market. It also led to a new opportunity — I was able to find a job, which I’m really grateful for.
Winnie Tse
Hotel Ambassador, Hotel front office (3 months)
National Volunteer Week is all about "Finding Your Thing." How did you discover your "thing"—the activity or cause that really fits you—and how did that lead you to volunteer with YWCA?
I discovered my “'thing” —a passion for connecting with people—through volunteering. It gave me a great sense of belonging and helped me feel truly part of the community.
What keeps you coming back? What part of volunteering excites you most and allows you to make a difference?
What keeps me coming back are the warm interactions with guests and the supportive staff I work with every day. The hotel provides such a comfortable and positive environment that it truly feels like a second home.
What excites me most is our location in the heart of downtown Vancouver’s sports and entertainment district. There is an endless energy here—whether it is a big game or a major concert, there is always something new and fun happening. Being part of that excitement while helping guests experience the best of the city is how I feel I make a real difference!
What's a skill you've developed through volunteering that you didn't expect?
Before I began volunteering, I did not plan to work at a hotel front desk. My previous career was in marketing, but volunteering here made me open to new career opportunities. I discovered that I am quite comfortable engaging with guests in person.
How has volunteering influenced your personal goals or career path? Has it led to any new opportunities, such as employment?
Being in this environment makes me feel refreshed every day, and it truly changed my career path by leading me to my current role.
I am so happy that this experience eventually led me to my current role as a Guest Services Representative at Hotel Willo. I highly recommend the YWCA volunteer program to anyone looking to find their own path!
Tam Tran
Resource Room Facilitator, WorkBC Coquitlam (2 months)
National Volunteer Week is all about "Finding Your Thing." How did you discover your "thing" and how did that lead you to volunteer with YWCA?
I used to work as a graphic designer, so I did not have many chances to work directly with people. Most of my work was behind the screen. Over time, I started to feel that I wanted to use my skills in a more human way, to support people and the community. When I joined the YWCA, I realized I could go beyond my comfort zone. I started to approach people, listen more carefully, and speak with empathy. I also learned how to break things down and explain step by step. It is about connecting with people and helping them feel more confident.
What is one favourite moment or memory from volunteering that made you feel, "This is my thing"?
One of my favourite moments is realizing that even a small action can make a difference. Sometimes I forget that the skills I use every day in my work are valuable, because I use them just to earn a living. But when I see someone struggling with a computer or language, and I can help them step by step, it feels very rewarding. When they show appreciation, I feel happy using what I know to make someone’s day easier.
How has volunteering influenced your personal goals or career path? Has it led to any new opportunities, such as employment?
It helped me build skills that are very useful in my library work now, like listening carefully, being patient, organizing tasks, and helping people step by step. As a resource room facilitator at WorkBC, I learned how to support different people at the same time, explain things clearly, and create a welcoming environment. These skills translate to my library role, where I help visitors find information, use resources, and feel comfortable asking questions. After landing a library job, I still see how valuable the volunteer experience was in building confidence and real-world skills.
Queenie Lai
HR Advisor, Engage / Tech Connect
National Volunteer Week is all about "Finding Your Thing." How did you discover your "thing"—the activity or cause that really fits you—and how did that lead you to volunteer with YWCA?
For me, “finding my thing” has always been about connection and impact. I live by three core values: embracing fearless ambition, driving remarkable innovation and building an engaged community—giving back is a natural extension of those values. In recognition of International Women’s Day, we intentionally looked for opportunities that aligned with our purpose of enriching lives, particularly by supporting women as they explore their potential.
Partnering with the YWCA felt like the right fit. Their focus on empowerment, access, and community resonates deeply with me, both personally and professionally. Volunteering through the International Women’s Day workplace visit allowed us to create a space where young women could see what’s possible, ask honest questions, and feel supported in imagining their own paths forward. That moment of connection - sharing experiences, opening doors, and helping someone feel seen is what confirmed that this is my “thing.” It’s incredibly rewarding to contribute in a way that reflects our values while making a meaningful difference in the community we’re a part of.
How has volunteering with the YWCA changed your perspective on our cause or community?
Volunteering with the YWCA shifted my perspective on how meaningful impact is often created. Through the International Women’s Day workplace visit, I was reminded that community impact doesn’t always come from large initiatives—it comes from showing up, listening, and being willing to share your experiences. Simple, genuine conversations can help someone feel seen, encouraged, and more confident about what’s possible for them. That realization reinforced how powerful small moments of connection can be in strengthening our community and advancing the YWCA’s mission.
Trish Knight
Homes For The Holidays - Event Chair, Homes For Holidays - raising funds for the Housing Action Fund (1 year)
National Volunteer Week is all about "Finding Your Thing." How did you discover your "thing"—the activity or cause that really fits you—and how did that lead you to volunteer with YWCA?
Giving back has always been part of who I am, it’s something my parents instilled in me early on. They taught me that your job isn’t done until you’re contributing to something beyond yourself, and that perspective has stayed with me.
I realized that what really energizes me is bringing people together and creating something meaningful that has a real impact.
Finding Homes for the Holidays with the YWCA felt like everything clicked. It combined my love of community, connection and purpose. Since joining the committee in 2018, and growing through different roles, it’s become a space where I feel genuinely connected to the work and the impact we’re making.
How has volunteering with the YWCA changed your perspective on our cause or community?
Volunteering with the YWCA has deepened my understanding of the complexities many women and families face. It’s easy to underestimate how many barriers exist until you see the work being done to address them.
It’s given me a greater appreciation for the importance of community support systems—and how critical organizations like the YWCA are. It’s not just about programs; it’s about creating pathways to stability and independence.
It’s also made me more aware of how much impact collective effort can have when people commit to a shared purpose.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Volunteering doesn’t have to start with a big commitment, it starts with showing up. Over time, those small contributions can grow into something incredibly meaningful.
For me, what started as joining a committee became a long-term commitment and a role I’m deeply proud of. If you’re considering getting involved, my advice is simple: find something that resonates with you and take the first step, you never know where it might lead.
Volunteering changes people's lives. Whether you are on the giving or receiving end of it, it makes a huge impact and we couldn't do the work we do without our volunteers!
Interested in volunteering with us? Learn more about our opportunities here.
