Healthy Communities
Thank You YMCA Learning Opportunities Program volunteers!
12 April 2021 - by YMCA of Greater Toronto
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?" — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The YMCA Learning Opportunities Program is designed to help adults ages 19 and older progress from developing skills to applying them to achieve their goals related to: employment, post-secondary education, apprenticeship, secondary-school credit, and independence.
Without foundational literacy abilities, people are significantly disadvantaged in pursuing their career goals, maintaining employment, furthering their education, participating in training opportunities, and increasing personal independence. The Learning Opportunities Program provides adults with a foundation from which to launch and pursue their goals. The YMCA Learning Opportunities Program volunteers help participants through one-to-one or group sessions.
There were some challenges to move from in-person to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was essential to develop and enhance the quality of online teaching and courses delivered. Learners found it challenging to adapt to an online learning environment immediately after participating in traditional classroom learning. Due to these sudden changes, many experienced challenges adjusting to computer-based learning and started to lose hope.
Our dedicated volunteers helped learners build confidence and increase self-esteem by recognizing participants for their efforts, providing plenty of positive feedback and recognizing students’ achievements, no matter how small. Their teachings helped participants manage time, cope with stress, and stay focused when needed.
Some students were not equipped with the right devices or internet connections required for online learning. So our volunteers used other tools such as WhatsApp and Google Hangouts or supported them over the phone by providing personalized courses for better learning outcomes.
Our volunteers are excellent role models. They are patient, respectful, dedicated, creative, caring, accessible and positive. And they adapt to their learners' needs when needed, supporting them to achieve their potential. They bring helpful ideas, positive energy and a beautiful intensity. Providing superstar service with a smile, our volunteers go the extra mile.
To our amazing volunteers:
Your passion and energy are unparalleled, and I immensely respect your spirit of volunteerism. We are so very grateful to have your help. Thank you for being so selfless with us, and for making a positive impact in the lives of so many. Thank you for being an inspiration to us all.
-Written by Tara Pishghadam
The YMCA Learning Opportunities Program is designed to help adults ages 19 and older progress from developing skills to applying them to achieve their goals related to: employment, post-secondary education, apprenticeship, secondary-school credit, and independence.
Without foundational literacy abilities, people are significantly disadvantaged in pursuing their career goals, maintaining employment, furthering their education, participating in training opportunities, and increasing personal independence. The Learning Opportunities Program provides adults with a foundation from which to launch and pursue their goals. The YMCA Learning Opportunities Program volunteers help participants through one-to-one or group sessions.
There were some challenges to move from in-person to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was essential to develop and enhance the quality of online teaching and courses delivered. Learners found it challenging to adapt to an online learning environment immediately after participating in traditional classroom learning. Due to these sudden changes, many experienced challenges adjusting to computer-based learning and started to lose hope.
Our dedicated volunteers helped learners build confidence and increase self-esteem by recognizing participants for their efforts, providing plenty of positive feedback and recognizing students’ achievements, no matter how small. Their teachings helped participants manage time, cope with stress, and stay focused when needed.
Some students were not equipped with the right devices or internet connections required for online learning. So our volunteers used other tools such as WhatsApp and Google Hangouts or supported them over the phone by providing personalized courses for better learning outcomes.
Our volunteers are excellent role models. They are patient, respectful, dedicated, creative, caring, accessible and positive. And they adapt to their learners' needs when needed, supporting them to achieve their potential. They bring helpful ideas, positive energy and a beautiful intensity. Providing superstar service with a smile, our volunteers go the extra mile.
To our amazing volunteers:
Your passion and energy are unparalleled, and I immensely respect your spirit of volunteerism. We are so very grateful to have your help. Thank you for being so selfless with us, and for making a positive impact in the lives of so many. Thank you for being an inspiration to us all.
-Written by Tara Pishghadam
