After Gabriela moved to Vancouver from Brazil, she was accepted into the Psychology Program at Langara. Wanting to feel more connected to the College community and looking for a new challenge, she joined VOLT. As a naturally outgoing person who loves meeting new people, Gabriela excelled.
“It honestly has been quite positive. I got to be around people I would not have met otherwise, help others, and feel like part of something bigger than myself”.
Gabriela has a strong sense of responsibility towards community development. Even as she juggles time between the Psychology Club, her courses, and work, she takes out time to serve the community.
“Everyone is always busy, always working, and, while that is certainly important, I also believe we should all take a step back and remind ourselves that community is the very thing that allowed us to evolve into the society we are today, and humankind is nothing without it”.
When Gabriela was a young teen, she spent time volunteering with under-privileged babies and children and learned the value of giving back. This translates into her work today.
“A coat that someone donates or one shift volunteering at the food bank can make a huge difference for somebody. Plus, you never know when you might be the one in need. Like my mom always says, treat others how you would like to be treated.”
This year for National Volunteer Week, the theme is the value of one, the power of many. When asked what that means, Gabriela says “One perspective, one pair of hands, can’t do much. Sometimes we have good intentions, but lack the knowledge to succeed, or have the knowledge but lack the skills, and that is where the power of many comes in”.