I volunteer at the YMCA Newcomers´ English Conversation Circle in Midland, Ontario and I love it! I had been looking to volunteer with an organization where my passions would meet my community’s needs. I really enjoy teaching English as a second language and learning about new cultures. My mother is actually an immigrant from Colombia and my father is from Germany so I’ve experienced firsthand within my family the struggles that newcomers to Canada can face. With that said, I have a lot of understanding and compassion for people new to the country. It brings me joy to know that I’m doing a small part to help make someone feel welcomed. It’s the best thing ever to watch as someone makes progress in the language and gains the confidence to go out into the community with their new skills. I volunteer at the YMCA because I want to better understand my community’s needs and get involved while doing something I love.