Honouring care, presence, and commitment.
As Volunteer Appreciation Week comes to a close, we pause to reflect on the many ways volunteers show up — not just through the roles they hold, but through the care, presence, and leadership they bring into shared community spaces. Throughout this week, we have highlighted volunteers who facilitate conversations, create welcoming environments, support learning and well‑being, and build connection week after week. Their contributions remind us that leadership is not always loud or visible — often, it lives in consistency, listening, and a willingness to hold space for others.
At Working Women Community Centre, volunteers extend our collective capacity. They do not replace staff or programs; rather, they strengthen relationships, deepen community trust, and help create spaces where newcomer women and their families can begin the next chapter of their lives in Toronto. As we conclude this week of appreciation, we offer our deepest thanks to every volunteer who leads with care, respect, and commitment. When women thrive, their communities rise — and our volunteers play an essential role in making that possible.
Cynthia – Yoga Instructor
We are grateful to recognize Cynthia for her dedication and meaningful contributions as the Yoga Instructor for our in-person Yoga class held every Thursday at the Fairview office. Cynthia brings not only her expertise in yoga, but also deep compassion, reliability, and lived experience that resonate strongly with the women in our community. As a female immigrant herself, Cynthia has a personal understanding of the challenges, transitions, and resilience required to build a new life in Canada. This shared lived experience allows her to create a safe, inclusive, and supportive space where participants feel seen, understood, and supported. Her classes go beyond physical movement—they offer grounding, connection, and a sense of belonging. Cynthia is currently at a stage in her life where she has intentionally chosen to give back to the community with consistent presence and care. Yoga has been an important part of her own wellness journey, and she is passionate about empowering others with tools to reduce stress, build resilience, and find balance. With gratitude to Cynthia for sharing her care, steadiness, and commitment to community well‑being.
Samia Y. – Victoria Park Hub Volunteer
Samia’s volunteer work at the Working Women Community Centre at the Victoria Park hub plays an important role in creating a welcoming, supportive, and well-organized environment for women and community members. She contributes to program coordination, client support, and administrative tasks, helping daily operations run smoothly. Samia actively supports events and programs by setting up spaces, organizing materials, assisting facilitators, and ensuring activities are engaging and efficient. She also provides front-line client service by greeting visitors, answering calls, registering clients, and maintaining confidential records with professionalism and care. In addition, she helps with administrative tasks including, bookkeeping, payables, invoices, organizing folders and files. Through her dedication and attention to detail, Samia fosters an inclusive and empowering space where individuals feel respected, informed, and supported. We thank Samia for the behind‑the‑scenes leadership that helps our community spaces run with care and intention.
Pooja M. – Victoria Park Hub Volunteer
Pooja began volunteering at the Victoria Park Hub at the age of 14, where she discovered her passion for supporting youth and women in her community. After focusing on her post-secondary education, she returned in 2024 with renewed dedication, actively contributing to programs, workshops, and events such as youth initiatives, Family Day, and community outreach activities. She supports both program coordination and administrative tasks, including creating promotional materials, while also taking on a leadership role in facilitating workshops on topics like self-care, cybersecurity, and online safety. Through her strong communication skills and ability to connect with others, Pooja helps create inclusive, engaging spaces and continues to make a meaningful impact through her commitment to community service. Our sincere thanks to Pooja for her energy, leadership, and long‑standing dedication to community engagement.
Shogofan S. – Victoria Park Hub Volunteer
Shogofan has contributed to the Working Women Community Centre as both a placement student and a dedicated volunteer, demonstrating strong skills in community support, program facilitation, client service, and administration. She plays a key role in supporting programs, workshops, and events, while also taking initiative to develop and lead her own classes, including Preparation for Citizenship and English language sessions, Farsi G1 Driving Test classes at both the Hub and the Fairview location. In addition to facilitating programs, she provides front-line support by welcoming clients, assisting with registrations, and maintaining confidential records. Recognized for her meaningful contributions with a certificate of appreciation, Shogofan continues to create inclusive, supportive spaces and remains committed to empowering newcomers and strengthening her community. Thank you to Shogofan for her initiative, leadership, and ongoing commitment to supporting newcomers.
