Inspiring change comes naturally to Dorothy Reitman, “I have always been a social activist,” says Dorothy proudly, “Not only have I always wanted to change things where necessary, but I always worried about the most vulnerable amongst us.” And change things she has in over 50 years of dedicated service to the Jewish and [...]
Virtual volunteering now part of the Cummings Centre’s vital needs As the landscape of volunteering continues to evolve in the wake of COVID-19, Cummings Centre volunteers have stepped up in order to meet the new challenges brought on by the pandemic and maintain critical programs and services. Over the past few [...]
Find great personal satisfaction “Social isolation and loneliness are very serious problems for the elderly population,” says Marc Haligua. Marc, in his sixties, has been volunteering at the Cummings Centre for over two years and has seen first hand the difference the programs and services offered at the Cummings Centre make each [...]
Help lead the way Staying true to our mission to empower and enhance the quality of life of adults age 50 and over requires much foresight and planning. Developing future lay leadership holds the key. “As a recent graduate of the first group of the Helen Levy Leadership Development Program, I feel [...]
Reaching out and touching somebody’s hand, as the golden oldies hit song goes, has an important impact on our overall wellbeing as we age. Studies continually show that as social isolation increases, health, both physical and mental, decreases. Statistics Canada reports that 1.4 million Canadian seniors feel lonely and many seniors [...]
Seniors have so much to offer Arriving in Canada from her native Nigeria in the middle of a cold January, Blessing was looking for a warm place to hang her hat. She turned to Cummings, twice a week volunteering behind the counter in the cafeteria making sandwiches, pouring coffee and serving up [...]
Volunteering brings new possibilities - and meaningful benefits National Volunteer Week is an annual celebration that aims to promote and show appreciation for volunteerism. Over 800 dedicated volunteers at the Cummings Centre attest to the vital role that they play in their ability to offer a wide range of programs and [...]
This mother’s day, Gloria April and her daughter Susan Ralph, both plan to celebrate a special day together and at the same time acknowledge their passion for community involvement. While Gloria has been involved at the Centre’s gift boutique for some 20 years, her daughter Susan only recently began to volunteer [...]
When it comes to volunteering, there is strong evidence that suggests that different generations can actually influence one another. Among the findings of a research study from the University of Indiana - Purdue University in Indianapolis, parents who volunteer are more likely to have children who do the same. This was [...]