QUOTES FROM OUR VOLUNTEERS
"Our Place Early Years Centre in Kitchener has managed to go above and beyond the expectations of many, including myself. Not only does the staff provide a safe and welcoming atmosphere for the enjoyment of both the parents and children, they also provide a support network for parents wanting a better understanding of how their child grows and develops, as well as teaching them ways to support their child's development. I feel that this placement is well suited to a community psychology student as it involves a direct commitment to the people of a designated area and helping the needs of other citizens. This placement has been such a pleasurable experience that I have chosen to continue volunteering throughout the rest of my time in Waterloo." --WLU Community Service Learning Student
"My overall experience at the Centre has been much more overwhelming and emotionally surged then I had ever expected. I knew that I had and emotional tie to my placement by the time I had left my first session as my roommate and I drove home together practically cutting each other off to share our experiences with one another; something which I had not expected either of us to be excited about. Having done quite a bit of volunteer work in the past, it was strange to feel an attachment to a place so quickly however the combination of a welcoming staff and the babies themselves provided enough reason for this attachment to happen right away."
--WLU Community Service Learning Student
"Our Place and the experiences contributed to my learning. The bonds I developed with the children contributed to my education. By interacting closely with the children, I was able to easily compare and contrast things I saw the children do to the topics covered in class. When I read a chapter of the text and then saw the children do similar things, it helped me learn and remember that topic very well."--WLU Community Service Learning Student
"For me, volunteering at Our Place breaks the ice between me and the new community here. It gave me more confidence to go out and explore the resources and the community around. Moreover, it inspired me to help more people in more places"
- Volunteer with the Newcomer Support Program.
|