Volunteering has been an important part of Thanisha’s life since she first began university. Last year, she branched out from her usual on-campus volunteering and started volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters organization and over the summer, searched for additional volunteer opportunities that may be a good fit. Thanisha was interested when she came across Global Gathering Place because of our mission to help newcomers and create a welcoming environment for people from diverse backgrounds. This resonated with her as an international student who moved to Saskatoon for university only a few years prior. Thanisha says, “I’m always looking for new experiences where I can learn and contribute, so it felt like the perfect fit.”

Thanisha first started volunteering in our BrightStart! Program. This program joins together mothers and their preschool children in an environment to make friends and build language and social skills by playing games, doing crafts, singing songs, and reading stories together.

What keeps Thanisha returning to Global Gathering Place is the atmosphere at the office, she says, “the employees are friendly, and the environment is warm and welcoming.” Over the summer, Thanisha also attended a few of GGP’s Employment Ready programs, which allowed her to get to know the staff even more. “I love volunteering and meeting new people, so when school started, I was looking for ways to continue volunteering around my class hours. At GGP, I get to interact with people from so many different cultures and walks of life. I recall some BrightStart! attendees had shared powerful stories about their journeys to Canada, some who experienced war or other hardship. Hearing their perspectives had been eye-opening and reminds me how meaningful it is to simply listen and be present for others,” Thanisha says.

Thanisha’s favourite part about volunteering with GGP is meeting new people and helping to create a safe, inclusive environment for everyone. “BrightStart! and my current volunteering program (computer classes) have been the perfect opportunity to connect, with other volunteers, the program instructor, and, of course, the families and kids. I love working with kids because they’re so curious and full of energy!”

Thanisha’s favourite memory of volunteering with GGP is visiting the Meewasin with the BrightStart! families. “It was a sunny day, people were taking pictures together and the kids were invested in a treasure hunt where they had to mark down what they saw. My friend (also a volunteer) and I were both looking after the kids and making sure they stay safe. I had also been to Batoche National Historic Site with GGP as part of the Family, Fun, and Fit program, that was a great experience to learn more about Canadian history while spending time with families from different parts of the world.”

“Volunteering with newcomers has really broadened my understanding of the world,” Thanisha notes. “I’ve learned how resilient people can be, and how community support can make such a big difference during times of transition. Hearing stories about people adapting to new countries, learning new languages, and rebuilding their lives has made me more empathetic and appreciative of the privileges I have. It has taught me that even small acts, like helping someone navigate a form or simply listening, can mean a lot. One moment that really stayed with me was when a newcomer shared that her sister was at the hospital after a high-risk surgery. The BrightStart! instructor, other volunteers, and I had all been there to support her during that tough time, and I think that truly reflects the main goal of GGP—building a community for newcomers to feel welcome and supported, where and when it’s most needed.”