Volunteers

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Frog Hollow. Our volunteers play a key role in building a community together. Due to COVID-19, we have a reduced number of volunteer opportunities available, and many positions are virtual. Even though our programs have been limited, we are so grateful for those who have been side-by-side supporting Frog Hollow during these challenging times. We love and appreciate you all, our volunteers!

At Frog Hollow, we empower volunteers through skill-building and mentorship because we recognize volunteerism builds community through fostering participation and citizenship.

See below to learn more about our volunteer programs and to get details about current volunteering positions.

Current Openings

Friendly Visit Volunteers

We are looking for heart-warming volunteers to visit isolated seniors at their homes in the Hastings-Sunrise neighbourhood.

Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House is committed to providing a safe environment for all its staff & volunteers. COVID19 pandemic policy and procedures have constantly been updated in alignment with public health orders.

A criminal Record Check (CRC) will be required.

Position: Friendly Visit Volunteer for Seniors
Hours: By appointment
Method: In-person
Timeline: on-going

Application – July & August 2022
Onboarding orientation – by appointment
Program orientation – in person
Start: July 26, 2022

Location:

Hastings-Sunrise neighbourhood (Seniors’ residences, walks around the neighbourhood, etc.)

Duties and Responsibilities:

– Receive training and orientation (in-person or video reviews) from the Seniors Program Coordinator and/or Community Programmer about the visit and schedule
– Report to Seniors Program staff
– Socialize with seniors and maintain connections with them to protect them from isolation. Besides having friendly chats in their homes, activities to do with seniors may include: sharing a hobby, exercising, learning a new skill, going on grocery trips, nature walks, pushing seniors outside on their wheelchairs, or other outings.

Benefits for applicants:
– Gain experience working with seniors
– Make a positive impact on seniors in the community.
– Opportunity to learn new skills.
– Improve communication skills
– Fulfill graduation requirements; a reference letter may be available if participating for over 10 hours of volunteering in this program. Hours can be accumulated with other volunteering programs.

Training & support provided:
– Comprehensive training on Covid protocols, sanitizing procedure, set up and closing of the program. Kitchen orientation will be provided during the program.
– Volunteer Orientation training from Volunteer Coordinator and/or Seniors Program Team Staff
– Video on “Boundaries and Conflict Resolution” and ongoing training on in-person support for seniors if needed
– Biweekly meetings to debrief and give feedback to the Seniors Program team

Qualifications:

– Be 18 years of age or older
– Enjoy having conversations with seniors with diverse cultural backgrounds
– Can demonstrate patience, empathy and enthusiasm
– Have good verbal communication and listening skills
– Proven ability to work interdependently in a collaborative environment with colleagues in a small team environment
– Proficiency in a second language is an asset.
– Current First Aid, CPR certification is an asset

Please apply by submitting a Frog Hollow Volunteer Application Form, or a copy of your resume, by email to rocio@froghollow.bc.ca

Outreach Trike Volunteers

We are looking for community members who are confident in riding our outreach tricycle during the Frogs in the Park program this summer!

The tricycle is the main part of the Neighbourhood House on the Go project, a program that brings a “mobile service” to isolated and marginalized seniors. This “mobile service” is delivered through the Neighbourhood House on the Go Tricycle, which consists of community resources, seniors information resources, coffee, tea, and folding chairs in the cart.

With volunteers riding the tricycle to do friendly visits and deliver vegetables, seeds and useful resources around the neighbourhood, we hope to reach seniors who are more isolated, marginalized, and less mobile in the community.

Position: Outreach Trike Volunteers
Hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays, 930am – 1130am, from July 26 to Sept 1, 2022
Method: In-person
Timeline:

Application – July & August 2022
Onboarding orientation – by appointment
Program orientation – in person
Start: July 26, 2022

Location:

Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House: 2131 Renfrew Street, Vancouver
Clinton Park, Vancouver
Route: Pick up tricycle at Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House at 9 am and ride to Clinton Park by 9:30 am. During Frogs in the Park (9:30am-11:30am), ride the tricycle around the neighbourhood to outreach to community members, hand out flyers, and do friendly visits if necessary.

Duties and Responsibilities:

– Receive training and orientation from the Seniors Programs Coordinator about the tricycle
– Ensure the resources and equipment in the tricycle cart are filled and well-maintained
– Report to Seniors department staff
– Ride the tricycle around the neighbourhood to visit and deliver resources to isolated and marginalized seniors

Benefits for applicants:
– Gain experience working with the Seniors Programs team.
– Learn about sanitizing procedures and COVID protocols.
– Make a positive impact on seniors in the community.
– Opportunity to learn new skills.
– Improve communication skills
– Fulfill graduation requirements; a reference letter may be available if participating for over 10 hours of volunteering in this program. Hours can be accumulated with other volunteering programs.

Qualifications:

– Experience in riding bicycles and/or tricycles
– Can demonstrate patience, empathy and enthusiasm
– Have good verbal communication and listening skills
– A strong attention to detail
– Proven ability to work interdependently in a collaborative environment with colleagues in a small team environment
– Proficiency in a second language is an asset.
– Current First Aid, CPR certification is an asset

Please apply by submitting a Frog Hollow Volunteer Application Form, or a copy of your resume, by email to rocio@froghollow.bc.ca

Cleaning Crew Support - Family Drop-in Program

We are looking for strong-caring hands to keep our families safe to assist as cleaning crew at Family Drop-in Program staff once a month. As part of providing engaging activities for families with children aged 0- to 5-year-old in a safe, friendly and supportive environment, it is essential to keep our equipment clean, sanitize and safe. We are looking for individuals who are willing to care for families in our community with just two hours of their day monthly and leave with a great sense of accomplishment and gratification.

Position: Cleaning Crew Family Drop-in Program
Hours: 2 hours per month
Method: In-person
Timeline:

Application – April 2022
Onboarding orientation – available first Friday of every month via zoom
Program orientation – in person
Start – April 2022 and ongoing

Location:

Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House: 2131 Renfrew Street, Vancouver

Duties and Responsibilities:
• Help with cleaning, sanitizing and organizing toys and areas used at Family Drop in and Childminding programs.
• Learn and follow protocol to clean, sanitize and set up areas for Family program and Childminding.
• Report to the Volunteer Coordinator, Rocio, rocio@froghollow.bc.ca
• Assist in the recruitment of families who may benefit from the drop-in program and programs at Frog Hollow Neighborhood House.

Benefits for applicants:
– Gain experience working with the family program team.
– Learn about sanitizing procedures and COVID protocols.
– Make a positive impact on families in the community.
– Opportunity to learn new skills.
– Improve communication skills while working with the family program team.
– Fulfill graduation requirements; a reference letter may be available if participating for over 10 hours of volunteering in this program. Hours can be accumulated with other volunteering programs.

Qualifications:
– Can demonstrate patience, empathy and enthusiasm
– Have good verbal communication and listening skills
– A strong attention to detail
– Proven ability to work interdependently in a collaborative environment with colleagues in a small team environment

Please apply by submitting a Frog Hollow Volunteer Application Form, or a copy of your resume, by email to rocio@froghollow.bc.ca

Family Drop-in Program Support

We are looking for patient, caring and family-oriented individuals to assist Family Drop-in Program staff to provide engaging activities for families with children aged 0- to 5-year-old in a safe, friendly and supportive environment.

A criminal Record Check (CRC) will be required.

Position: Family Drop-In Program Support Volunteer
Hours: 3 to 6 hours per week
Method: In-person
Timeline:

Application – April 2022
Onboarding orientation – available first Friday of every month via zoom
Program orientation – in person
Start – April 2022 and ongoing

Location:

Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House: 2131 Renfrew Street, Vancouver

Duties and Responsibilities:
• Welcoming parents/family members attending programs with children 0-5 years old.
• Assist with activities such as telling or reading stories, and teaching songs.
• Helping toddlers and preschoolers with arts and crafts, and playing games.
• Help with program set-up, clean-up and sanitizing of areas
• Maintain confidentiality and security of all family information
• Assist in the recruitment of families who may benefit from this program and programs at Frog Hollow Neighborhood House

Benefits for applicants:
– Gain experience working with children 0–5-year-old
– Make a positive impact on families in the community
– Explore a career related to ECEA, childminding, with a local not-for-profit and community organization
– Opportunity to learn new skills
– Improve communication skills while working with the family program team
– Fulfill graduation requirements; reference letter may be available

Qualifications:
– Interest and/or experience in working with children 0-5 years old
– Can demonstrate patience, empathy and enthusiasm
– Additional language competencies beyond English are an asset
– First aid certification is an asset
– Have good verbal communication and listening skills
– A strong attention to detail and good conflict resolution skills
– Proven ability to work interdependently in a collaborative environment with colleagues in a small team environment
– Successful completion of criminal record check

Please apply by submitting a Frog Hollow Volunteer Application Form, or a copy of your resume, by email to rocio@froghollow.bc.ca

Kitchen Support - Family Drop-in Program

A criminal Record Check (CRC) will be required.

Position: Kitchen Support Volunteer at Family Drop-In Program
Hours: 3 to 9 hours per week
Method: In-person
Timeline:

Application – April 2022
Onboarding orientation – available first Friday of every month via zoom
Program orientation – in person
Start – April 2022 and ongoing

Location:

Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House: 2131 Renfrew Street, Vancouver

Duties and Responsibilities:
• Help with program set-up, prepping of meals, serving, clean-up and sanitize areas used.
• Maintain confidentiality and security of all family information.
• Assist in the recruitment of families who may benefit from the drop-in program and programs at Frog Hollow Neighborhood House.

Benefits for applicants:
– Gain experience working with children 0–5-year-old
– Learn about food security and better healthy eating practices
– Make a positive impact on families in the community
– Opportunity to learn new skills
– Improve communication skills while working with the family program team
– Fulfill graduation requirements; reference letter may be available

Qualifications:
– Interest and/or experience in working in kitchen
– Can demonstrate patience, empathy and enthusiasm
– Additional language competencies beyond English is an asset
– Food safe certificate is an asset
– Have good verbal communication and listening skills
– A strong attention to detail
– Proven ability to work interdependently in a collaborative environment with colleagues in a small team environment
– Successful completion of criminal record check

Please apply by submitting a Frog Hollow Volunteer Application Form, or a copy of your resume, by email to rocio@froghollow.bc.ca

La Colmena Spanish Family Drop-in Program Support

We are looking for patient, caring and family-oriented individuals to assist La Colmena Spanish Family Drop-in Program staff to provide engaging activities for families with children aged 0- to 5-year-old in a safe, friendly and supportive environment.

A criminal Record Check (CRC) will be required.

Position: La Colmena Spanish Family Drop-In Program Support Volunteer
Hours: Minimum 3 hours per week
Method: In-person
Timeline:

Application – April 2022
Onboarding orientation – available first Friday of every month via zoom
Program orientation – in person
Start – April 2022 and ongoing

Location:

Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House: 2131 Renfrew Street, Vancouver

Please apply by submitting a Frog Hollow Volunteer Application Form, or a copy of your resume, by email to rocio@froghollow.bc.ca

Garden Assistants - Gardener's Hangout

We are looking for individuals with a love for the natural world. The successful candidate will be comfortable working in a garden and doing some physically demanding work. They will be able to work independently and with a culturally diverse team to support community programs. Working under the general direction of the Food Security Coordinator, the garden assistant will be contributing to a vibrant community that cares for and learns from the land.

Position: Garden Assistant
Hours: 10 am – 12 noon every week, starting May 4th, 2022 (Frog Hollow’s Gardener’s Hangout)
Method: In-person at Clinton Park Fieldhouse Garden
Timeline: As soon as possible! The growing season has begun 😊
Application – May 2022
Orientation – June 2022

Duties and Responsibilities:
– Helping with weeding, maintenance, watering, packing/distributing seeds at Clinton Park Fieldhouse Garden (2690 Grant street, the garden next to the playground)
– Checking on the well-being of the plants in the garden
– Assisting with planting or caring for the plants
– Connecting with community members at the garden and informing them of the garden project
– Disposing of any rubbish in the garden
– Notifying Frog Hollow staff of any damage/concerns in or around the garden and Fieldhouse

Benefits for applicants:
– Gain knowledge about plants, food security, sustainability and gardening
– Improve gardening and communication skills
– Volunteer hours can be used towards fulfilling graduation requirements
– Gain experience working with the community
– Light physical exercise to improve health and well-being

Please apply by submitting a Frog Hollow Volunteer Application Form, or a copy of your resume, by email to rocio@froghollow.bc.ca

Garden Assistants - P’ipa:m Lelum Indigenous Garden

We are looking for individuals with a love for the natural world. The successful candidate will be comfortable working in a garden and doing some physically demanding work. They will be able to work independently and with a culturally diverse team to support community programs. Working under the general direction of the Intergenerational Coordinator, the garden assistant will be contributing to a vibrant community that cares for and learns from the land.

Position: Garden Assistant
Hours: Minimum 2 hours every two weeks
Method: In-person
Timeline: As soon as possible! The growing season has begun 😊
Application – May 2022
Orientation – June 2022

Duties and Responsibilities:
– Watering the P’ipa:m Lelum Indigenous Garden at Clinton Park (2690 Grant Street Vancouver)
– Checking on the well-being of the plants in the garden
– Assisting with planting or caring for the plants
– Learning about Indigenous plants and how they are connected to the people of this land
– Connecting with community members at the garden and informing them of the garden project
– Disposing of any rubbish in the garden
– Notifying Frog Hollow staff of any damage/concerns in or around the garden and Fieldhouse

Benefits for applicants:
– Gain knowledge about Indigenous plants and culture
– Improve gardening and communication skills
– Volunteer hours can be used towards fulfilling graduation requirements
– Gain experience working with community
– Light physical exercise to improve health and well-being

Please apply by submitting a Frog Hollow Volunteer Application Form, or a copy of your resume, by email to rocio@froghollow.bc.ca

Information & Orientation Sessions

We are hosting monthly Volunteer Information & Orientation Sessions for newly registered volunteers and interested community members.

Every 1 st Friday of the month
1 pm – 2 pm, online, via Zoom

What’s in for you:

About Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House
Volunteering at Frog Hollow
Rights and responsibilities of volunteering
Volunteering opportunities
Q & A

Questions or to register, email volunteer@froghollow.bc.ca

Phuong - Digital Literacy Volunteer

“Seniors Empowering Seniors”

Phuong is one of the few senior digital volunteers who has been supporting other seniors with their digital skills through our one-on-one digital literacy support program.

“I do not have good digital skills.” Phuong was humble about her volunteer work with the Seniors. “When you teach other people, you learn more yourself. When I was at work, I did have some computer experience, but not with Personal Computers. We used email. As for iPhone and iPad, I only picked them up after retirement, little by little.”

Phuong was born in Saigon (now known as Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam. She then left Vietnam to study Commerce in Japan where she met her husband and got married.

“After Vietnam became a Communist Country, many Vietnamese Students were stuck in Japan. We either stayed in Japan, or we had to look for a country to immigrate to. So my husband and I decided to come to Canada.” Phuong worked as an Import Clerk at a Steamship Company. Her husband, becoming a Mechanical Engineer in Japan, had to study Electronics Design in order to enter the Electronics field in Vancouver.

Phuong and her husband raised a son and a daughter who both went to the After-School Program at Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House.

After retiring from the workforce in 2013, Phuong started participating in Frog Hollow’s Seniors Programs. “There were so many Wellness Programs at Frog Hollow. The first Program I attended was Tai Chi, Monday to Thursday mornings from 8:15 – 9:00 “ she recollected. Phuong has become an active member of the Frog Hollow Community ever since.

“Many of our Volunteers are so humble. They have no idea how much of a positive impact they’ve brought to the Community. They are our treasures and I really honour their contribution.” Manda, the Family and Seniors Programmer at Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House says.

Phuong was one of the Neighbourhood Safety Ambassadors for the “Vancouver Walk and Be Seen” Project, a Volunteer of the Chinese Community Response Network’s “Warmth Giving Caring Action,” and a Member of Frog Hollow’s Multicultural Senior Advisory Committee.

When Covid-19 struck 2 years ago, all of our Programs had to be moved online. Phuong signed up to become a Digital Volunteer, helping other Seniors to stay connected during these testing times.

“In the beginning, it was very hard. They (the seniors) were confused. They couldn’t tell the difference. How to use them (the apps) while each app was different from the others. After learning once, they had to use it multiple times in order to remember. Then after a while, they would forget. They would have to do it all over again. So we need to be patient and we need to spend a little more time with them.”

Besides helping at Frog Hollow, Phuong and her husband also volunteer at Mount Pleasant Community Centre setting up the Ballroom Dancing Group for Seniors. Phuong also loves dancing, swimming and hiking with her daughter.

Samuel - Digital Literacy Volunteer

“Volunteering helps you gain a sense of community…to give back to the community that has raised you.“

“Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House had been a part of my life,” says Samuel, one of our one-on-one digital literacy support volunteers at Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House.

Samuel was born in Vancouver, and his parents immigrated from China. Frog Hollow NH is the first organization he went to pre-school, on and off participating programs over the past 17 years of his life. Samuel’s mum also works part-time as one of our child-minders at Frog Hollow.

Samuel is currently a high school student at Vancouver Technical Secondary School. He is the secretary and instructor of the Coding Club in his school, where he hopes to spread awareness about computer science and teaches other people to use valuable skills in the real world.

Jose: Food Security Volunteer

“I remember my mom..we weren’t rich… when I was a kid… my mom was really generous. (If) she had a loaf of bread; she would be sharing half with somebody. We didn’t have much bread; she never had an issue with that (sharing with others)…and basically.. (I)learn by example. She passed away a couple of years ago. I am pretty sure she would be so happy to see me do what I do now..if she were alive, she would enjoy (volunteering) a lot.“

When the pandemic first struck, Frog Hollow’s Food Security Program struggled to find a driver willing to deliver emergency food bags to needing families in the community. Jose was one of the volunteers who signed up to help us deliver the food bags on a regular basis.

“I saw so many first responders, doctors, nurses, everybody was working so hard,” Jose recalled how he started. “I was trying to emulate what they do.. you know… (if)they can do that, I will try to do my part, even though it’s a small thing.”

Every week, after our staff packed food bags, Jose would come to Frog Hollow and pick up the bags and drop them off to the families in the Hastings-sunrise community.

After a few deliveries, Jose realized, this meant more than just receiving food bags, “I thought I’m just gonna be a delivery guy…but when I see their smiles, I started realizing they were really in need, and (the delivery) made a difference on their table…you got some acquaintance, you started talking, and they tell you their problems. This creates bonding. “

“He has this very cheerful spirit and vibe that brought some lightness to our families during these testing times.” says Eva, Frog Hollow’s Food Security Coordinator, “Jose has no idea how important his delivery was to these families. They are in dire needs for daily meals”.

Jose is originally from Columbia. He moved to Canada with his wife 20 years ago. He first worked as a roofer, then he got a Master’s degree that landed him a job at an engineering company. “I find we immigrants receive so much from the society…because of the resources, my kids are healthy, they are safe, and we just really want to give back”.

When Jose turned 50, he hit a low point in his life, “I am 50 and what I am gonna do with my life.. I was trying to find something… some purposes”. He went on iVolunteer website and signed up for volunteering opportunities at local charities and Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House.

“I found that interesting… so neighbourhood houses and streets.. wow.. the side of Canada I didn’t know of”. Jose found purpose in this voluntary work and felt fulfilled. “It really helps me…I feel like I’m going to be part of this for as far as I can… I mean just some spare time, and I can still move a box. I want to do it.”

Jose and his wife have 2 kids. He sometimes brings his kids to volunteer, “..so they understood that people in need and .. with a little effort.. you can help so much. Though my son doesn’t come with me now, he sees what I’m doing. I think that’s gonna help him in the future.”.

Chio - a former volunteer, now a volunteer coordinator!

“I get that warm feeling of being at home when I share smiles, hugs, jokes, ideas and when I’m lucky to help someone in need. My life has evolved in ways I couldn’t have imagined without volunteering at Frog Hollow.“

A Thank you note to Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House
from a former volunteer

As I open my eyes to a new day, stretch my arms as far as they go; listen to my heart, breath in and out, and express gratitude to be present on this beautiful ancestral land and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, I realize how much my life has changed and achieved from the moment I stepped into Frog Hollow that day.

It has been an inspiring journey to be a part of Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House. I started by participating in the La Colmena Spanish program, Family Drop-in, and Nobody is Perfect Program. I started volunteering for the Spanish Group and Gardener Hangouts through referrals, which led to substituting a dear friend and mentor at Frog Hollow. Now, I am working as a Family Programmer and Volunteer Coordinator at Frog Hollow, passing on the magic, which has changed me, to others in the community.

Volunteering at Frog Hollow has given me the strength, confidence and guidance to find myself as a woman, mother, friend and person who now stands without fear or heaviness from losing their identity in a new place, new land, new culture. I have built a network and met new friends and people I call now my family in this beautiful land, which sometimes feels foreign. Yet, it embraces me even more and reminds me I belong here every time I give back to my community.

I get that warm feeling of being at home when I share smiles, hugs, jokes, ideas and when I’m lucky to help someone in need. My life has evolved in ways I couldn’t have gained without volunteering at Frog Hollow.

By surrounding myself with the amazing and loving staff team at Frog Hollow, I experienced the impact of kindness, a smile, time spent with neighbours or creating a safe space to talk has had on this community: we are stronger and healthier together.

I am deeply thankful to the people who have helped and made me thrive over the years at Frog Hollow community; you are my “familia” and my light when darkness comes.

Now I can embrace darkness because I know I’ll have the community by my side. We can walk together to find new roads to build our lives. We will meet new people on the journey, and let’s light our paths together.

Connie & YJ - Kitchen Volunteers

“It was so much fun chit-chatting, meeting new friends while cooking together at Frog Hollow’s community kitchen.“

YJ and Connie miss the laughter and chit-chat time at Frog Hollow’s community kitchen. They are 2 of the many neighbours helping out in our kitchen in the past years.

Preparing snacks and hot lunches for kids at drop-in sessions every week, cooking for holiday and special celebration events, we always have a group of loyal “master chefs” preparing yummy and nutritious food at our community kitchen.

Many are over 50 years old, immigrant grandparents accompanying their grandchildren to participate in our drop-in programs. While the kids were playing, grandparents naturally mingled with our staff, especially Carrie, who is in charge of food preparation in the kitchen. After a few times, they just become good friends.

Connie remembers the exact month and year she immigrated from Hong Kong to Canada, December 1974. Before moving to Canada, Connie works with her family, who runs a furniture business in Hong Kong. After settling in Vancouver, she had done various jobs including working at PNE, canning and sewing. Frog Hollow community kitchen brought so much great memories to Connie, “There were many volunteers in helping out in the kitchen. It was fun hanging out with them weekly.” Due to the pandemic, Connie has not been going out much nor to Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House. She misses the quality time spent with other volunteers and staff members in the kitchen. Connie is now enjoying her retirement life. She still enjoys cooking, especially experimenting with new recipes from YouTube.

YJ immigrated to Canada during the 90s with her husband, 2 sons and 1 daughter. Her hometown in China is the city of Pun Yu. Before moving to Canada, YJ was a farmer. She found a farmwork job in Delta after settling down in Vancouver, where she worked every day from 7 am to 10 pm. JY loves Yum Cha with friends and walking laps in the parks, and is busy taking care of the dog for her son.

“I have 10 volunteer certificates from Frog Hollow” JY is very proud of those certificates given to her by Frog Hollow. Frog Hollow hosts Volunteer Appreciation Dinner every June to recognize the great support volunteers have provided over the years.

As one of the kitchen volunteers, YJ always finds joy in helping out at our programs. “I was going on a month’s vacation back to China one time,” Carrie, Frog Hollow’s Family Programmer recalled, “YJ and Zheng Pak (another kitchen volunteer) covered me and took lead in preparing hot meals for the kids in drop-in sessions.” When asked why not ask other staff to do it, Carrie said, “They are so familiar with what we do with food preparation. I can count on them. So my coworkers can work with more families during the session while they take care of the meal preparation.”

Frog Hollow values all our volunteers we have a designated date to recognize their contribution! We haven’t had the in-person Volunteer Recognition Event in the past two years due to the pandemic. One thing for sure is that when we do, we will see the beautiful and proud smiles on YJ and Connie’s faces! We thank profusely our dedicated volunteers for being part of this vibrant community.

(Photo: Connie at Frog Hollow’s Volunteer Appreciation Dinner)

Jacqueline - Tai Chi & Garden volunteer

“The vision was a place for healing and it turned out to be exactly what I wanted… I always dreamed of a place to come where it’s green…now it’s here. We have an Indigenous garden and I get to volunteer to nurture it..Garden of healing.”

When you imagine a tai chi instructor, you don’t typically think of a female of African and Indigenous descent. This is how many of the Frog Hollow seniors know Jacqueline. When she started volunteering, she told a staff that she had always wanted to teach tai chi. Finally, the opportunity arose and it was an empowering and rewarding experience.

“When my daughter was very little, when I started tai chi, I had always dreamed of teaching tai chi..It was a dream come true.”

To this day, many seniors still refer to her as teacher. Jacqueline has found belonging and connection at Frog Hollow that she never had before.

Jacqueline first became familiar with Frog Hollow when her niece went to the daycare over 30 years ago. “It’s been a process since then. When I found I had that one good connection with Eva and joined the compassion club…that was extremely healing for me…I felt anything I had to say, everybody listened. It was the first time in my life…It was extremely important to be heard.”

Another place of healing that Jacqueline found was the Frog Hollow stewarded space at the Clinton Park Fieldhouse, P’ipa:m Lelum (Frog House), where she volunteers to look after the Indigenous garden.

…(The programs) were extremely learning for me..when we did that reconciliation program..I got triggered and it really taught me because.. I got into this state of resentment and it caused me to be selfish and I let it go…and it was the happiest I had ever been in 30 years..that resentment was gone…I was happy with all the people that were not Indigenous to come because they needed to learn…When you first invited me to come, I was against and I still am against reconciliation. I said I’ll go but I’m against reconciliation..People will ask me what’s going on, you’re so happy, and I would say I went to this program and all my friends were there and we shared so much and I got to release that resentment and I’m the happiest I’ve been in 30 years and they were like wow!”