We met Gabe and Grace last January when they came to us looking for after school volunteer work. Gabe says, “GGP welcomed us with open arms, despite us being teenagers.” Initially, they helped newcomer children in Grades 4 through 8 with their schoolwork through our Homework Help program. They then found their niche helping the students and teachers in our Computer Classes. Each month, we offer several different classes for newcomers with a variety of digital literacy levels. In just one year, they have provided support to 14 intakes of our Computer Classes, attending dozens of classes. “The clients always put a smile on our faces and make us feel useful. We find it rewarding that our minor skills in computers have actually been helpful to the clients in the class,” Gabe said.
Their favourite part of volunteering at GGP is the people: “Everybody is always happy, encouraging, and supportive.” Each of our Computer Classes runs for at least three weeks each with two classes per week which means Gabe and Grace often get to know the students fairly well. These connections have increased their awareness of the global conflicts that force many of our clients to flee their homes. “We can only imagine the difficulties and sadness of leaving their own countries,” Gabe said. He added that their work with GGP has given them a new appreciation for what it really means to start over in a new place. “We’ve been unbelievably impressed with how the clients [start over] with such a great attitude, even in our Canadian winters,” Gabe said.
“Our most touching story was when a client told us that he wants his children to be like us,” Gabe said. And as teenagers who are still students themselves, they always get a kick out of the adult clients who call them ‘teacher.’
Thank you to Gabe and Grace for all that you do for our clients. Any teen who gives up their free time in service of others has a very bright future ahead of them!
