On behalf of NYSC – the staff and clients, we want you, our volunteers, to know that we are grateful and deeply appreciate all that you do. We appreciate your passion, courage and dedication, and for sharing your skills, talents and abilities. You are essential to being part of who we are as an organization in serving the seniors in our community. Thank you to all who stayed home due to the pandemic to keep our social networks safe – we appreciate your care and support to NYSC. We look forward to when we can welcome you all back to the Centre. You ARE the value of one and the power of many who make the difference at NYSC!

Thank you!

• Skills for Change – A series of special events led by students included: – For Video Night, had 7 participants. – For Bingo Night there were 16 participants.

– 8 months of 16 participants for Spanish Conversation Club.

– 11 months of Approximately 40 participants for Storytelling.

– 7 months of 11 participants for Book Club.

“The Friendly Visiting Program has been very beneficial to me especially during this COVID-19 pandemic. I know that my volunteer Khorshed has been calling me regularly, and I know it’s always good to talk to her.”

– J.B., NYSC client

“I am so happy I have been matched with Gulshan, my FV. She is so nice, and I always feel good in conversation with her. I don’t feel isolated anymore, and I thank NYSC for all their support to seniors.”

– S.H., NYSC client

“I am often asked when the Adult Day Program is going to reopen as it played such an important role in the lives of these clients and their caregivers, and they really miss it. North York Seniors Centre provides a great service to its volunteers and members and I really appreciate the opportunity I have been given to volunteer there with the staff, members and clients.”

-Sandra Millington, NYSC volunteer

“My virtual learning journey in North York Senior Centre has been a great experience for me. I am grateful to my supervisor Bethany and her staff Anita and Sunny for being so supportive and readily available. Not only they helped me achieved my learning goals despite the circumstances, but also, they gave me an opportunity to conduct programs on my own and helped me to have a good working relationship with seniors by letting me connect to them both in the phone and online. I am thankful for the seniors for letting me learn, enhance my communication skills and for making my placement amazing.”

-Venus T., Seneca SSWG Student

“Emma Lesser has been a great volunteer for the Caregiver Education and Support program. She is a good listener and always willing to help whenever she can. Emma is enthusiastic and positive about her tasks and stayed humble about her work. She has been working diligently as a volunteer within the caregiver workshops and connected with participants whenever there was an issue with their computers. She is a team player!”

-Stacy H., NYSC staff

“In times of COVID, our more than special volunteers came together in December to help us out with the Direct Mail Campaign. In a very difficult time and following all the safety protocols they finalized their assignment before the deadline and very proud to still being part of the organization. Without these 6 volunteers would not be possible to put out our most important annual fundraising campaign which raises funds to support the seniors` community.”

– Perla L., NYSC Staff

“The Pen Pal Program was originally started as a small project to brighten the days of seniors in our community, but I soon realized the true potential of this initiative. Not only was there amazing feedback from the seniors involved, but the students seemed to enjoy themselves reading and writing letters just as much! We have all gained a new appreciation for our senior community and the opportunity to view life in an entirely different way after getting to know our pen pals!”

-Charlie D., student