Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Janice, Supporting Newcomers Through Conversation

Tell us a little about yourself!

I am a speech-language pathologist who retired three years ago. I began my career working with children who had communication challenges, and I spent the latter 25 years developing and delivering resources and training for parents and educators to support young children’s language and literacy development. Through this work, I discovered my love of helping others increase their knowledge and skills, as well as facilitating group interactions and meaningful conversations.

I have two married daughters and four young grandchildren who bring me immense joy. Now that I am retired, I am grateful to have the time to spend with them, as well as to pursue my love of cooking, baking, reading, and taking long walks. My husband and I have also been able to enjoy some wonderful travel experiences, including a cruise to Iceland a few years ago and an upcoming trip to Costa Rica.

Why did you decide to start volunteering with North York Community House?

When I retired, I had no desire to simply fill my days with the occasional lunch date with friends. With no obligatory work demands, I suddenly had the unique opportunity to reflect on what would truly bring me joy. Throughout my life, I have found fulfillment in being purposeful, collaborating with others, and contributing meaningfully to people’s lives. Retirement did not change those needs, so I began searching for volunteer opportunities that would align with them.

Fortunately, I came across the LINC Program at NYCH and became a conversation facilitator, supporting newcomers as they attended ESL classes. I continued in this role for two years. More recently, I have taken on a similar role in a drop-in conversation group at Barbara Frum Library.

In the past month, I have also drawn more directly on my speech-language pathology background by working with several women in the LINC program who are interested in reducing their accents when speaking English.

What has been the most meaningful part of your volunteer experience with us?

My volunteer work with newcomers has provided me with a strong sense of purpose, opportunities for collaboration, and meaningful ways to contribute to others’ lives. I have derived great satisfaction from seeing the progress and growing confidence of the individuals I work with as they practice their developing English skills in what I strive to make a safe, supportive, and enjoyable environment.

What’s something new you’ve learned while volunteering at NYCH?

Through my volunteering, my knowledge and understanding of both the challenges and joys of the newcomer experience in Canada have grown significantly. Immigration is a frequent topic in the news these days; however, nothing compares to the perspective gained from speaking directly with individuals who are working hard to build new lives in Canada.

I have also been amazed by the rich, engaging, and respectful conversations that have developed within my groups among individuals representing many different languages, cultures, and life experiences. These interactions give me hope in a world that so often feels unsettled.

What’s next for you, and do you see yourself continuing to volunteer with us in the future?

I definitely plan to continue volunteering. In addition to my work with newcomers, I volunteer with Connected Canadians, whose mission is to enhance digital literacy among older adults. Through in-person and virtual workshops, I share information on topics such as staying safe online, using platforms like ChatGPT, recognizing fake news, and navigating tools different online tools.

I also volunteer at the Aphasia Institute, where I facilitate conversation groups for individuals who have lost communication skills due to stroke and other conditions.

For a change of pace, I occasionally serve as a tour guide with Toronto Greeters, an organization that pairs visiting tourists with local residents for personalized tours of the city.