23 Jun The more I volunteer, the more lives I want to change

As a newcomer to Canada, Samantha was super shy.

Her English wasn’t very good and she couldn’t leave the house at all.

“Canada was just completely different from Uganda. I remember our first Christmas here – it was the first time I saw snow. The weather was so cold! I was used to living on the equator, where it’s 30 C or 40 C every day.”

Finding her way

At first, Samantha struggled on her own to figure things out. But then she found help.

“My mom was in Canada with us for a while. Then she went back to Uganda and it was just me and my sisters. My dad was here too, but he was usually working, so I had to be responsible for my sisters. That was quite hard. But we would do United Way programs. There was a story time program at the library, which I loved. I also played sports—I went to all of the programs.”

Then she started helping out at community programs herself.

“When I first started volunteering, we would go feed people who were homeless. It was nice to give back. Helping my community has more meaning for me now. Sometimes I walk around my neighbourhood, and if I see someone in need, I buy them food. When I see a person who is homeless, I get them a cup of coffee and say, ‘This is for you.’

Learning how to lead

She says helping others has helped her become a better person.

“I often think, ‘Where would I be without United Way?’ And honestly, I probably wouldn’t be as involved in my community as I am. I don’t think I would be going out there and doing random acts of kindness, like writing little notes that can make someone’s day, or telling people, ‘Hey, I love your smile,’ or ‘I like your style.’ I feel like volunteering has given me a lot of confidence and built leadership skills for me as a young woman.

“The more I volunteer, the more lives I want to change and the more people I want to impact,” Samantha says. “It’s always nice to help. I feel better being involved in these programs. I’ve gained so much.”

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Across our region, 15,860 children under the age of 18 live with low income, according to the most recent Census data (2016). Many struggle to find a path to a better future. 

At United Way Simcoe Muskoka, our donors help local youth find and keep safe housing, stay in school, and gain life-skills and other supports to become independent and successful adults.

Learn more about youth poverty in Simcoe Muskoka.

Local giving. Local love. #LocalLove

LOCAL YOUTH ARE STRUGGLING. YOU CAN HELP.