25 years - through Stories | Volunteer Stories
The AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT) has been a volunteer-driven organisation since the early days of the AIDS crisis. Until ACT received its first grant from the federal government, it was established and run entirely by volunteers, operating out of donated space in the Hassle Free Clinic.
Since then, volunteers have remained the core of the organisation. Last year alone, thousands of volunteers contributed 36,722 hours in the community through ACT. That's the equivalent of 19 full-time staff people!
We asked our volunteers, past and present, to give us their thoughts on their best volunteer memories at ACT. Some of these memories were submitted via email, and some were written down on cards at our 25th anniversary volunteer appreciation party.
Before I was elected to the Board, I came to ACT as a student, doing research in the Library at a time (the early 90s) when the problem of HIV/AIDS was growing and treatment options were just becoming diversified. Then there came the time, 10 years later, when I had to come to ACT to access support services after being dealt the biggest blow in the lives of myself and one of my friends. After that crisis subsided, there came the time that I could make a contribution to the organisation that had been there for us all these years, and that’s when I called up Sergio and said that I wanted to become a support group facilitator.
I remember "graduating" (!) from Core Skills Training, getting my pin and certificate (along with a hug and a kiss!), then completing program training and feeling prepared. But when it came time to join a support group, I realized that I couldn't be picky about it. There are real needs to be met, and (now more than ever) there are real shortages in resources.
Admittedly, it was scary at first… I remember meeting with my co-facilitator, who was a great mentor and friend -- himself facilitating my own triggers, as I helped others with theirs.
We helped people deal with the confusing things that were occupying their head space, and provided a safe space where they could devote regular time in their busy lives to deal with the impacts of living with HIV. We saw people regenerate, grow, and flourish.
Some of the group members made new friends. Some found ways out of social isolation and into the world again. Some returned to the workforce after years on disability. Others made decisions about confusing treatment options, or found complementary therapies to mitigate side effects. We found experts to help us understand the legal issues around traveling abroad, disclosure, insurance and benefits. We were there as people embarked on new dates (ok, we weren't there, but you know what I mean) and these changes were all exciting things to be a part of.
To me, this is the essential core of volunteering: you recognize needs, you realize that you can contribute in some way, and you take the time and effort out of your busy life to do so. All the while, you have fun and receive things in totally unexpected ways. Honestly, I believe that volunteering is one of the most powerful things you can do as an individual.
Want to share your story about volunteering or your memories of ACT? Submit it online here.
