As a geographer Jennifer Pinks has always been fascinated by the world, other cultures and people鈥檚 journeys to new places and new paths in life. This passion has informed her volunteer activities over the past 40 years, both in Canada and when she was living abroad.
鈥淰olunteering in different countries and here at home, provides opportunity not only for me to help others, but also to learn about our global community,鈥� says Jennifer. 鈥淚 have learned a lot about different cultures and ethnicities through my volunteer experiences. These are first-hand accounts and stories (that you can鈥檛 get in a book!) from people whom I have volunteered with over the decades. Collectively they have enriched my understanding of the world.鈥�
Jennifer鈥檚 hometown is Brampton, Ontario but she has called many places across Canada and the globe 鈥渉ome鈥�. Before coming to the Okanagan with her husband in 2020, Jennifer called Halifax, Nova Scotia home for 20 years. Jennifer has also lived overseas for more than 10 years in Malaysia, Thailand and Venezuela.
鈥淒uring my university days and early career days, I volunteered primarily for various environmental initiatives,鈥� reminisces Jennifer. 鈥淲hile living overseas, I volunteered at different organizations including a Women鈥檚 shelter and a Women鈥檚 health not-for-profit in Malaysia; at UNESCO and a Population Demographics Centre in Thailand; and supported a rural children鈥檚 initiative in Venezuela. For 20 years in Halifax, my volunteer work was focused on supporting new Canadians and foreign students in learning and practicing English.鈥�
鈥淢y husband and I have been on a bit of a journey since leaving Halifax in late 2019, trying to figure out where to retire,鈥� adds Jennifer. 鈥淭he combination of moving about and pandemic restrictions meant my ESL interests were on hold during COVID. Now I am so glad to have joined KCR in the fall of 2021.鈥�
Jennifer encourages everyone to get involved and volunteer.
鈥淎s I often say about my volunteer activities - its a win-win! I can help others with their English, even incrementally, and that supports their new path here in Canada. It鈥檚 totally worth it and keeps me involved,鈥� Jennifer says enthusiastically. 鈥淥ne of my favourite volunteering memories took place in Halifax while working with a group of Chinese students. Following the completion of their course and before returning to China, we hosted a traditional East Coast lobster boil - a first for them all! Their approach to bib wearing, shell cracking, digging for lobster meat, etc. was so much fun and smile worthy; a real cross-cultural experience!鈥�
If you are interested in finding a cross-cultural experience, or looking for a way to give back, check out the VolunteerConnector at www.kcr.ca. There are so many options for volunteer roles and organizations. From Book Wranglers to Reading Mentors, Board of Directors to Volunteer Coordinators and everything in between. Share your time and skills and be rewarded with an enriched life. You can also connect with me at dorothee@kcr.ca if you need more support to connect to your perfect opportunity through our Volunteer4All program.
Dorothee Birker is the communications and development coordinator for KCR Community Resources. If you are interested in sharing your volunteer or organizational news, please contact Dorothee at dorothee@kcr.ca.
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