Amy Yochim began volunteering with Global Gathering Place in Spring 2024 in our LINC Foundation Literacy to 1L ESL classes. Growing up in church, Amy was taught the importance of giving back within the community from a young age and due to her job doing shift work, she is able spend her days off volunteering. She landed on Global Gathering Place after a recommendation from a friend who told her it would be a great place to give her time.

“From the beginning, I saw in class each day small victories with the students making progress. It’s so rewarding to get to play a small part in that,” Amy says. “I love the connections I’ve been able to make with the students; whether it’s seeing them gain confidence in their English or sharing some laughs during a game. Despite having limited words to communicate with, the relationships that are formed with each student are definitely a highlight of my experience.”

One of Amy’s favourite parts of volunteering with GGP is the relationships she has formed with the students. “I love when I’m able to connect with a student by getting to know a bit about their family or home culture. It’s so cool to see how different our backgrounds are, while also how much we have in common.”

“Everyday I’m amazed by the determination and resilience of the newcomers I work with. Many are refugees who have left behind their homes to bring their families to Canada in extremely difficult circumstances. They work so hard to learn English, understand Canadian culture, and adjust to the harsh Saskatchewan climate! I’ve seen how different our backgrounds may be, but the important things we have in common, like the desire to have a safe and happy life surrounded by the love of family and friends.”

We’re grateful to have Amy on our volunteer team supporting our ESL classes. English opens doors for newcomers, building confidence, creating connections, and making Canada feel like home. Volunteers like Amy are a big part of making that happen.