In 2022, Dorothy Lee travelled abroad from South Korea to Canada to study at the University of Toronto. As a second-year student, she is pursuing criminology and computer science majors. This year, I have been a part of the University of Toronto Korean Association (UTKSA) and the SMC Campus Ministry Snack Outreach Program. Throughout the semesters, she has planned academic and leisure events for Korean students and prepared snacks for the elderly and homeless people.
My passion for volunteering is rooted in my parents’ upbringings and a Christian environment. Growing up, I witnessed my parents’ dedication to helping those in need, such as participating in charity walks and delivering Christmas presents to orphans. Their efforts advised me to have love and compassion for the needy. The Christian schools and churches I attended preached and demonstrated the love of Christ by arranging numerous fundraisers and volunteer activities. I was privileged to learn from the doers of the Word. As a result, I transformed into someone who had a heart for anyone in need, empowered by the certainty to follow through on the caring intentions.
I started my journey of independent volunteering with a fundamental question about my own worth. As a high school student, I found myself grappling with the search for my strengths, those distinctive qualities that set me apart. It was through this introspection that I uncovered what truly made me unique: an unwavering passion to enact positive change in the world around me. While some of my peers tended to “go with the flow” or were passive to avoid potential conflicts, I felt driven to be proactive in making a difference. Reflecting on questions of personal value and purpose, I came to realize the inherent power I held to instigate positive change within my community, whether it be through initiatives at my school or involvement at the local youth centre. Since then, I have devised and engaged in various service projects from cleaning gyms to fundraising.
Diverse community service experience aided me in setting a principle to continually assess my capabilities before signing up to participate. Understanding the extent of what I can do assists in avoiding danger and refractory things as well as providing assistance effectively. This mindset has enabled me to approach volunteering with a sense of responsibility for others and self-care.
The preceding principle has also helped me navigate through the volunteer opportunities at U of T. Transitioning to university, academic pressures such as obtaining required grades for programs limited my time for volunteering. I had less time to devote to the community because I had to pick myself up and keep going. Therefore, I opted for activities with less time commitment, such as SMC Alumni’s Santa’s Helper and Campus Cleanup.
At the beginning of my second year, I applied to join St. Michael’s Campus Ministry snack outreach team. Initially, I felt nervous because it was my first time assisting adults who had more life experience than me. My previous works focused on youths and students, so serving the elderly was new to me. The possibility of interacting with homeless individuals also concerned me as I witnessed some unexpected situations involving them on the streets. However, as I began attending the sessions, my fears gradually dissipated, replaced by a sense of joy and calmness.
Attendance wasn’t mandatory, but I found myself drawn to join every week. Under the guidance of Hilda, our beloved cook and organizer, along with Anita and Semira, the SMC campus ministry leaders, volunteers like me were warmly welcomed and supported. There were no set milestones we needed to reach, so we could solely focus on helping people who visit to enjoy their snack/meal time as comfortably as they could. Talking and cooperating with fellow volunteers was fun and intriguing as we shared our distinct life stories. This activity became not only a commitment but also a refuge—a friendly space where all that was required was a loving heart and the willingness to serve.
Participating in serving came with another benefit. The program pushed me beyond my comfort zone, facilitating interactions with individuals from diverse backgrounds. It broadened my horizons of community service, fostered a greater sense of acceptance, and forged meaningful connections with others. It also expanded my awareness of the challenges faced by marginalized individuals and the importance of accessibility in meeting their needs.
Volunteering has been a spiritually growing and mentally fulfilling experience for me. Based on my journey, I encourage everyone to take a step over the sidelines and walk into engaging in acts of care and compassion. It will make a difference, no matter how small, in yourself and in the world.
Read other InsightOut posts.