A DIVERSEcity Story on an amazing volunteer for National Volunteer Week
With spring here, discussing weekend plans without including the variety of local community events coming up would be near impossible. You might find a DIVERSEcity table at many of these local events, and it is often DIVERSEcity volunteers whom you might meet there! Take Abhishek, who represented DIVERSEcity at Car-Free Day on 137 Street in Surrey last June (seen in the photo). Originally from India, Abhishek had signed on with DIVERSEcity’s Volunteer Program to get some experience and make some new connections.
“I attended as many volunteer opportunities as I could, like being a DIVERSEcity representative at the Surrey Food Bank and at events like Car-Free Day,” says Abhishek, who came to Canada in March 2023 with an MBA in data analytics from the University of Bedfordshire in London. Despite his impressive background, including speaking four languages — English, Hindi, Gujarati and Punjabi — the reality was that he struggled to find a job here. He actively sought work opportunities, tirelessly applying and waiting, often never hearing back or learning that he did not get the job.
Getting involved with DIVERSEcity
“Finding employment is tough and challenging in this environment and maintaining positivity can be hard and the disappointment can be overwhelming,” he says.
Despite the frustrations he faced, Abhishek kept his head up and attended multiple job fairs. “When I visited one of the job fairs, I spoke with someone from DIVERSEcity, and they shared that DIVERSEcity was here for newcomers and shared the resources available.” He says this interaction was very positive and something that he greatly valued in his disheartening newcomer journey. He had one question: “How can I get involved with this organization?”
Giving back and growing through volunteerism
DIVERSEcity was actually the lucky one in this scenario, benefiting from Abhishek’s desire to give back. “I like volunteering with DIVERSEcity because I get the opportunity to interact with new people and relate to them about similar things I have gone through,” he says. “When I talk to other newcomers, I tell them that if they have any questions, they should go to DIVERSEcity to get positive feedback and vibes.”
For Abhishek, volunteering is not just about giving back, but also about personal growth. “This is a big responsibility that people are giving to us and putting faith that we as volunteers are giving positive vibes. I can share my knowledge and break barriers, overcoming the obstacle of how we can approach and talk to people as newcomers.”
We are thrilled to have volunteers like Abhishek, who find a sense of purpose in their volunteering. “When I get the chance to work as a volunteer, it makes me feel alive and gives me that sense of purpose. Thank you for giving me this golden opportunity.”
No, thank you, Abhishek! And thank you to all our volunteers at DIVERSEcity!
Learn more about DIVERSEcity’s Volunteer Program at dcrs.ca/volunteer.