A Journey of Healing, From Client to Volunteer: Dave’s Story
Written by Saudah M., in collaboration with the Communications team
Everyone deserves to feel connected, supported, and part of a caring community. Through life’s transitions, whether aging, caregiving, or coping with grief and loss, Circle of Care’s programs provide seniors, families, and community members with a supportive network – helping them navigate challenges, remain connected, and live with dignity and confidence.
Grief and loss can be isolating experiences, but healing often happens through connection. Meet Dave. After receiving support from Circle of Care following the death of his wife, he became inspired to give back. Today, he contributes across multiple programs as a medical escort, a Let’s Get Together volunteer, and a clerical volunteer, creating the same sense of connection and support that once helped him navigate a challenging time. In the interview below, he reflects on the meaningful connections he has built over the years, and the profound impact volunteering has had on his own healing journey.
How did you start volunteering with Circle of Care?
After the death of my wife in 2022, I joined Circle of Care’s grief counselling sessions. I have to credit the people involved in the program. They recognized I was struggling and going through a very tough time. The care I received was truly life-altering.
Shortly after the sessions ended, I was encouraged to help out with the Let’s Get Together program. I helped coordinate, plan, and organize the events. I loved it immensely and quickly came to enjoy my time getting to know everyone on a personal level. I’ve come to see them as friends and genuinely care for them. I always look forward to our meetings.
As other events would come up, like the Grand Parade, I’d try to contribute in any way. My work blossomed from there.
Take us through a typical day of your role.
My day starts at around 9:00 a.m. To support the Let’s Get Together program, the first thing I do is set up the room based on the activity of the day and the number of guests attending. Once that is done, I help organize all the supplies, including puzzles and games. I make sure the refreshments are stocked and that the coffee and tea stations are ready. My goal is to make the clients’ experience as comfortable as possible. I want them to leave feeling like they had a good day. It boils down to respect and empathy.
As a medical escort, many of the seniors I see regularly have become friends. I enjoy checking in on them with a phone call to see how they’re doing. One client lives a few minutes away from me, so we often connect for a coffee and a little chat. I find it very rewarding, and I can say that I get so much back that it maintains my commitment in continuing to volunteer.
How are some ways you make connections with the clients?
For me, it’s about knowing yourself and finding ways to relate to people, no matter who they are. While I have an advantage with the seniors because I’m closer to their age and can easily find common ground, I’m also able to build connections with people of all ages. It’s important to bring empathy. Everyone can play a supportive role in these programs.
To make connections, you have to first have confidence in yourself. When you go into a room full of strangers, it’s important that you’re able to talk and get along with anybody—you can’t be a wallflower. When you walk into a room, try to think, ‘these are friends I have not met yet.’ You won’t get to befriend everybody, or know their entire story, but it helps to have the confidence to build a connection.
When you choose to volunteer, you’re deciding to be fully present, offering your time, compassion and care to support someone who may need it most. It becomes our duty to say we will make these moments a highlight of their days and weeks.
What are some valuable lessons you’ve learned over the last three years?
I felt I experienced an emotional, mental, and spiritual growth in terms of recovering from the death of my wife. Once I lost my spouse, I had to reacclimate to what I consider a normal life. A meaningful part of my recovery and learning to live with grief has been recognizing that, through giving back, I receive just as much in return. The friendship and kindness you get from the clients, and the relationships you develop with everyone, is truly the gift.
There is no single path through loss. What matters most is finding the support and activities that feel right for you. For Dave, grief counselling provided great comfort. As time went on, he found a new sense of connection through volunteering. By sharing conversations with seniors, Dave continues to heal, build meaningful relationships, and give back to his community in a way that brings purpose to both his life and the lives of others.
If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, we are here to help. Our bereavement support services provide compassionate counselling, support groups, and caring conversations with trained volunteers, so you can find support at your own pace.
You may also find meaning in volunteering with us. It can be a way to stay connected, build relationships, and make a difference in your community this International Volunteer Year.
