Celebrating Volunteer Week 2024

Peel CAS is celebrating National Volunteer Week, April 14-20, 2024. The theme for this year is “Every Moment Matters,” highlighting the importance of every volunteer and each contribution they make. We are deeply grateful to all our volunteers for the important work they do, and the generous gift of their time, energy, empathy and knowledge. Their kindness and compassion make a difference to children, youth and families in our region every single day.

We asked a few of our volunteers to share a bit about themselves and their experiences.

Lemmy Maingi is the Vice President of Peel CAS’s volunteer Board of Directors. He has volunteered with us for 5 years.

Why did you decide to volunteer with Peel CAS?

I wanted to be a part of building a strong, safe and successful community in the region of Peel.

Please share a story or example of an experience you had as a Peel CAS volunteer that was particularly meaningful for you.

I have been to numerous events, but one that comes to mind is the Trailblazers Youth Centre fundraiser, where I got to interact with a former youth in care, staff, various stakeholders, partners and leadership in the community. It was humbling and exciting to see the turn-out and participation for such a worthy cause. 

What is your favourite part of volunteering with Peel CAS, and why?

Serving on the board is something that I derive lots of satisfaction from, being a part of deliberations that make the organization better and stronger. The agency takes pride in having one of the lowest numbers of children in care. Compared to the number of referrals received, it’s a strong indicator of the great work being done. The transformation and innovation in the organization are investments that will make our community stronger and the agency a leader in the sector.

Lorenzo and Jennipher Blake are both volunteer drivers with Peel CAS. They have volunteered with us for 11 and 17 years respectively.

Why did you decide to volunteer with Peel CAS?

We decided to get directly involved as volunteers with Peel Children’s Aid Society to give a helping hand.  Volunteering has opened our eyes that not everyone is born fortunate, and we can make a difference in the lives of children. Our experience is that giving of our time for a great cause, does wonders for our physical and mental health. Both my husband and I are experiencing that through volunteering, we lift our own emotions to a positive place.

Please share a story or example of an experience you had as a Peel CAS volunteer that was particularly meaningful for you.

My story is that I remember driving a young girl to and from her family visits. I was so touched when I heard that she requested that she wanted me to drive her for her weekly visits. I will always remember the smile on her face and the positive conversations we would have. These are the little things that warm my heart and make me proud to be a volunteer at Peel Children’s Aid Society.

My husband mentioned that he finds joy in driving especially the babies and watching them grow. He remembers driving a baby that was a few months old and how happy and thankful the parents were whenever he brought the child to the family visits.

What is your favorite part of volunteering with Peel CAS, and why?

Our favorite part of volunteering with Peel Children’s Aid Society is that it helps us to connect with different children/youth and put a smile on their faces. We feel good when we see that they are happy.

Thank you to all our volunteers for everything they do! We are currently recruiting volunteer drivers, who play a crucial role in transporting children and youth safely to and from appointments and visits. Learn more about volunteering with Peel CAS.