Continuing Our Volunteer Appreciation Week Spotlights
As Volunteer Appreciation Week continues, we are proud to shine a light on more of the volunteers who help strengthen programs, relationships, and community life at the Working Women Community Centre.
Volunteers support WWCC in many different ways — facilitating programs, holding space for conversation, and offering steady presence week after week. While their roles may look different, they share a strong commitment to supporting women, families, and community members with care, respect, and consistency.
Today, we continue our Volunteer Appreciation Week spotlights by recognizing additional volunteers whose contributions help create welcoming, inclusive spaces across our programs.
Jordanna K. — Evening Chatting Hour Facilitator
We would like to recognize Jordanna for her valuable contributions as the facilitator of our Evening Chatting Hour program. Although she is new to the role, Jordanna has already made a meaningful impact on participants through her warmth, organization, and genuine connection. She brings a wealth of life experience to her work. As a trained Naturopathic Doctor, she has a strong foundation in listening, empathy, and understanding individual needs.
Having stepped away from her professional practice to raise her children, Jordanna now brings those same skills — patience, care, and attentiveness — into her volunteer role as her children are older. She is highly organized, uses her time well, and deeply enjoys connecting with people.
Jordanna has a natural ability to make participants feel heard, validated, and comfortable engaging in conversation. Her ease with people, including families and individuals from diverse backgrounds, has helped create a welcoming and supportive environment within the Evening Chatting Hour program.
Thank you, Jordanna, for the care, attentiveness, and warmth you bring to this space.
Maria I. — Conversation Club Facilitator
Every Tuesday, for one hour and fifteen minutes, a special kind of magic happens in our community space — Conversation Club with Maria. This welcoming and inclusive program invites participants of all ages to come together, improve their English language skills, and engage in meaningful conversations. But it is more than just a language class. Participants often describe the club as feeling like a family — a place where they can share daily experiences, laugh together, and learn from one another.
Conversation topics range from everyday life to current events, and the atmosphere is always warm, respectful, and engaging. Maria’s thoughtful facilitation ensures that everyone has a voice. Whether someone is just beginning their language journey or looking to refine their skills, they find encouragement and connection in the group.
Conversation Club continues to be a cornerstone of our community development efforts, fostering not just communication, but meaningful relationships.
Thank you, Maria, for the thoughtfulness and care you bring to creating such a welcoming and connected space.
Chak Man Cheung (Jacky) — ABC Circle Facilitator
We would like to take a moment to recognize and sincerely thank Jacky for his outstanding work as the facilitator of our ABC Circle English learning program. Jacky plays a vital role in supporting community members as they build confidence and foundational English skills in a welcoming and respectful environment. He brings a high level of inclusivity and compassion to every session.
Jacky takes the time to understand the diverse backgrounds, learning styles, and individual needs of participants, ensuring that everyone feels seen, supported, and encouraged to participate. His patience and empathy create a safe space where learners feel comfortable making mistakes, asking questions, and growing at their own pace.
Through his thoughtful approach and genuine care, Jacky goes beyond teaching language skills — he helps foster confidence, connection, and belonging within the community. Thank you, Jacky, for your dedication, patience, and the positive impact you continue to have through this program.
Annabel W. — On Your Mark Volunteer Tutor
Annabel is a shining example of dedication and impact within the On Your Mark program. A retired teacher, Annabel joined the program during the 2021–2022 school year with a strong desire to continue supporting students through volunteer work, and she has now been with the program for five years. She specializes in working with students whose first language is not English, bringing creativity, patience, and warmth to every session.
Annabel is currently working with two students: a Grade 6 student from Cuba who arrived in Canada in 2023 and is now in their second year working with Annabel, and a Grade 1 student, also from Cuba, who arrived in 2024. Her engaging and thoughtful approach helps both students build confidence, and they look forward to their sessions with her each week.
Through ongoing teacher feedback, we know that Annabel’s support has made a clear difference, and that her students are flourishing both academically and personally. In one particularly powerful example, one of her students was crying every night because she could not understand English and felt isolated without friends. Through Annabel’s consistent encouragement and support, she has learned English, gained confidence, and now has friends at school.
Thank you, Annabel, for your dedication, consistency, and the care you bring to the students you support.
