In 2018, Margaret retired from her career as a family physician, the same year her husband passed away. Feeling the need to connect with her community, she became interested in GGP as it offered a complete change from her previous profession and allowed her to remain surrounded by people.

Margaret has volunteered in Rachel’s CLB 3-4 class since she started volunteering at GGP and has more recently volunteered in a Foundations-CLB 1 class and as a mentor. Margaret says that “the clients in Rachel’s English class are so appreciative of any little help with the daunting task of learning English along with all the other obstacles they face trying to make a new life in Canada. Rachel makes her classes fun, and it is great to see the progress the clients make.”

One of Margaret’s favourite parts of volunteering with GGP is getting to meet people from all over the world and people from different cultures. Margaret notes that “seeing that we really are not all that different, is heartwarming. I love hearing about their lives in their homelands before the traumatic events that caused them to have to leave.”

Margaret reflects on her wonderful experiences at GGP’s volunteer appreciation events and fondly recalls receiving a “Golden Global Award” alongside her fellow volunteers. To her, “GGP really feels like family.”

Thank you deeply to Margaret and her commitment and eagerness to help our clients develop their English skills. We are so grateful for volunteers like Margaret who devote countless hours to assist the students in our language classes, ensuring their success in settling into the community.