I wasn’t always a volunteer. I come from a country where volunteering is not valued. My friends here told me that in Canada people really respect volunteers – so I started volunteering in 2011. I volunteer at the Mennonite Centre for Newcomers, Action for Healthy Communities and Dickinsfield Amity House. It’s a great way to know the community and develop your skills. Now I suggest to friends to volunteer. It doesn’t have to be anything specific.  When there are shopping carts here and there at the mall, I put them back – and my kids also do that. Any way you can help people and give back makes you feel better.