Volunteering is no longer just about “giving up some time”; it’s also about finding concrete solutions to real problems, and gaining a great deal in return.
Three of these volunteers describe their willingness to lend a helping hand. Their stories will inspire you!
Léa Mortimer, executive director of the Volunteer Crisis Response Team
If you ever need to press one of those big blue emergency buttons on campus, chances are that Léa Mortimer, a fourth-year health sciences student, or one of the 55 student volunteers she supervises, will be the first to arrive on the scene to help you.
Léa is the executive director of the Volunteer Crisis Response Team, composed of students who work under the direction of the University of Ottawa’s Protection Services to provide a 24/7 response to medical emergencies on campus.
“It’s been an eye-opening experience. I’ve always been interested in the health field, so it’s been a very interesting opportunity to further my knowledge while giving something back to the uOttawa community,” Léa explains.
“It’s nice because it’s students responding to students,” she adds. “We’re all similar ages and can really understand what students are going through. You almost get addicted to the action when you get a call and rush to help.”
The purpose of the VCRT is to reduce the number of ambulances called to campus. Volunteers attend monthly and once-a-term training sessions on first aid principles.
Perhaps you’ve already seen them on campus, in uniform, with their large red bags on their backs? That’s because during their shifts, they are always ready to step in during an emergency like true superheroes!
Would you like to join them in contributing to campus safety? The VCRT recruits volunteers every year in February. For more information, please visit the VCRT webpage at that time.
Aleezah Sumaiya Shaikh, volunteer at the Food Bank
“Sometimes I can see how I’ve made a difference. It’s the smiles and simple thank-yous that really motivate me.”
Aleezah Sumaiya Shaikh
— Biomedical science student and volunteer
During her first year in Ottawa, Aleezah decided to get involved with the uOttawa Students’ Union Food Bank, having noticed the effort it was making to support the student community.
Every day since joining the team, she has met people from diverse backgrounds and walks of life, and it is this diversity that fuels her desire to help others with the same warmth she would show her own family.
She still remembers the morning when she understood the meaning and impact of her commitment.
While she was tidying up and preparing the shelves, she noticed a student who was struggling to carry several heavy bags filled with groceries. Aleezah, moved by what she saw, rushed to help her, holding the door open for her. A simple gesture, yes, but the student’s smile reminded her that the work done behind the scenes has a real impact on the life of the community.
For her, these simple smiles and compliments are what motivate her to continue investing time and effort in these activities. These experiences have made her more grateful for what she has, and have also helped her develop empathy for people with different lived experiences.
Aleezah reminds those who may be thinking of volunteering not to underestimate the impact they can have on the lives of others. “Volunteering isn’t about ticking boxes,” she says, “it’s about having the right intentions and genuine passion.”
Jean-Baptiste Baiwong, Program and Partnership Coordinator, Rideau Hall Foundation
“By stepping outside your comfort zone you can learn more, boost your profile and build a better résumé. It’s not just about studying.”
Jean-Baptiste Baiwong
— International development and globalization alumnus
As a recent graduate, Jean-Baptiste Baiwong stresses that volunteering accounts for 80% of the value of his CV. He says his experiences as a volunteer were the key that opened the doors to his current position as Program and Partnerships Coordinator at the Rideau Hall Foundation.
“I learned to know what I want,” he specifies.
He still remembers the workshops he led at Junior Achievement Canada, an organization dedicated to equipping young people with the financial background they need to succeed. In this position, he encouraged entrepreneurship, served as a mentor, and inspired the next generation to enter the business world with confidence, a role he fulfilled with passion and determination.
He describes his education as two-fold: although he worked hard to achieve good marks, he also devoted himself to volunteer work, notably during a humanitarian trip to the Dominican Republic.
Every morning, Jean-Baptiste led educational workshops for the children of Haitian refugees and migrants, encouraging them to imagine a future career in medicine, teaching, nursing, etc. By asking them the simple question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” he not only gave them attention, but also the chance to dream, hope and express themselves despite the systemic barriers in their way.
To students wondering where to start, Jean-Baptiste advises them to focus on their interests and then to volunteer with a related organization. His unpaid internship at the Embassy of the Congo is proof that this approach works!
What cause are you interested in?
Whether you want to volunteer your time, lend an ear or expand your skills, there’s a meaningful activity waiting for you at uOttawa.
- To become a volunteer, log into the Community Engagement Navigator (via uoZone) and select the placement you’re interested in. New opportunities are posted every week! You can also suggest your own volunteer placement if you can’t find it in the Navigator.
- You can have your volunteer hours certified on a Co-Curricular Record, an official University document that records all your community activities.
- Check Featured Volunteer Opportunities.
- Find inspiration from other student profiles.