Richmond organization celebrates volunteers during National AccessAbility Week

A Richmond organization is highlighting the importance of volunteers and their work during National AccessAbility Week.

National AccessAbility Week, May 28 to June 23, celebrates the contributions and leadership of Canadians with disabilities and highlights the work of people, organizations and communities to remove barriers and create a more inclusive environment.

The Richmond Centre for Disability (RCD) kicked off the week with an introduction event at their Lansdowne hub on Monday. More events are being held during the week to showcase how volunteering not only helps those with disabilities, their friends and family grow, but also themselves as individuals through its new “Empowered Wellness” program, according to Dave Thomson, outreach coordinator at RCD.

“One of the things I love about (RCD) is that we challenge the volunteers. We want them to get something out of it,” said Thomson.

“There’s no reason for a person to be here just to be someone to … ‘do this and do that.’ For us to do a good job and for them to also benefit from the volunteering experience, we need a reciprocal relationship.”

The main message, Thomson added, for the public is to “think outside the box” and find ways to benefit others and yourself simultaneously while doing something good for the community.

Paralympic athletes Emily Trepanier and Jessica Tuomela will be speaking as panellists alongside volunteers and Paralympic guides on the challenges and rewarding aspects of volunteering on Wednesday, May 31 via Zoom.

Meanwhile, in-person workshops about recent trends in volunteering held in collaboration with Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives are taking place at the RCD hub on Friday, June 2.

For more information, click here.