Chilliwack Senior Peer Counsellors is hoping people will start the new year off by volunteering their time.
The organization is a non-profit support service that provides one-on-one listening, empathy and information to seniors in need. They offer aid to those who are dealing with the loss of a loved one, have health and aging concerns, feel lonely or depressed, or in need of a helping hand.
“We rely on our volunteers. If we don’t have enough volunteers, we can’t service our clientele,” says Bob Saucier, staff administrator with CSPC.
Ganga Malla was one of the volunteers who graduated from CSPC’s fall course. She decided to sign up “to give some help to the community.”
Since then, she’s been paired up with two female clients.
She has a lot in common with the one client whom she’s already visited; they’re both immigrants.
“We were able to share our experiences,” says Malla.
She highly encourages others to volunteer.
“It is a wonderful experience if you have some time to share with them,” she says. “It is so rewarding. They enjoy my company.”
CSPC is having its winter orientation starting on Jan. 16 at Broadway Church (46611 Maple Ave.). The training will take place twice a week, on Mondays and Wednesdays, for six weeks.
After training, volunteers are required to have a criminal record check before CSPC can accept them. They recommend volunteers spend an hour a week with the clients, but sometimes more time is necessary.
“The gratitude from clients is incredible. They are so grateful to have someone come by and talk,” says Saucier. “It almost makes me cry to hear someone so desperate who needs someone to talk to.”
Those interested in taking the volunteer training course can call 604-793-7204 to register. Training is free.