Volunteers help build supportive and compassionate communities
In a heritage building on 6th Avenue in Nakusp, the Arrow and Slocan Lakes Community Services Society (ASLCS) office feels like a place where people can exhale. Staff greet visitors with warm smiles, and the organization’s logo—an open door—says exactly what they aim to offer: a welcome to anyone who needs support.
“We create a homey, comfortable atmosphere that allows people to feel safe about approaching us,” says Tim Payne, ASLCS Executive Director. “We see ourselves as an advocacy centre. If there are needs within our community, we are the advocates that help work toward solutions.”
Meeting Diverse Needs Across a Wide Region
For more than 50 years, ASLCS has been responding to local needs. Formed in 1974 to deliver homemaker services in Nakusp, the Society now supports residents from Nakusp to New Denver, communities along Upper Arrow Lakes, and rural areas stretching to Edgewood, Fauquier and Burton. Their service area is large, and the needs within it are diverse.
To meet those needs, ASLCS offers more than 20 programs for people of all ages. Young families can access early learning opportunities. Youth can receive counselling. Community members can turn to food access programming or the volunteer driver program. Older adults benefit from initiatives like Meals on Wheels and Better at Home, which help them continue living independently, stay connected to community resources and navigate programs.
Volunteers at the Heart of Service Delivery
Across all these programs, volunteers are at the heart of what ASLCS delivers. While the organization employs 45 staff, they work alongside nearly 50 registered volunteers who help bring programs and resources to people throughout the region.
Better at Home is one of these volunteer-driven programs, supporting seniors with day-to-day tasks like grocery shopping, light housekeeping and snow shoveling along with friendly visits and transportation. For many older adults, these supports can mean the difference between staying in their homes or having to relocate.
“Our volunteers do visits and assist folks as they need,” says Louella Cann, Coordinator for Better at Home. “They’re caring and flexible and want to say yes to everything. This program is so important to keeping our seniors supported, and our volunteers allow our organization to stretch resources to meet demand.”
“Our biggest cohort of volunteers is in the Better at Home program, but that doesn’t mean they only assist with one activity,” says Tim. “Many are also helping with our volunteer driver program, stepping up to get people to medical appointments in Kelowna, Vernon, Revelstoke Nelson and Trail”
Many volunteers take on multiple roles because they see firsthand the difference it makes for their neighbours. “If people can’t drive themselves, they’re stuck when it comes to getting to medical appointments outside of town,” says volunteer driver Harvey Truax. “I like to help out if I can.”
“Volunteers help us increase our capacity. The need here is bigger than what we can provide through staffing alone,” says Karen Scott, Community Connector.
Balancing Capacity and Care
Relying on volunteers also brings challenges. Volunteer burnout, personal commitments that limit availability, and ongoing recruitment and training are realities faced by many non-profits.
“People are so busy these days—working longer hours, caring for children or their parents or both,” says Karen. “There is so much need among community organizations, and all of them need volunteers.”
“Balance is also an issue—giving volunteers enough to do without overwhelming them,” says Louella. “We want to match skills and experience to needs so volunteers feel confident and useful. In some cases, limiting how much they take on is the biggest challenge.”
Strengthening Programs Through Partnership
To strengthen volunteer-supported programs and improve volunteer experience, ASLCS has partnered with Columbia Basin Trust on a number of initiatives.
Through the Trust’s Non-profit Advisors Program (NPA) and its resource and learning opportunities, the Community Development Program and Non-profit SMART Grants, ASLCS has been able to create more supported opportunities for volunteers while building staff capacity to ensure volunteers feel seen, appreciated and prepared.
“The Trust’s NPA workshop on volunteers sparked ideas for us on how to improve volunteer experiences,” says Louella. “We now schedule more one-on-one time to understand their needs. During onboarding, we’ll add a tour of the office so volunteers can get know to the Society better and feel more connected. We’re also creating more training opportunities—both in-person and online—so volunteers feel they have the tools and knowledge they need.”
Trust programs have also helped ASLCS support communities in leading their own volunteer-run initiatives, such as the food access program in Burton. With support from the Trust, the Society established—and later transitioned—a comprehensive food security program to the Burton Community Association. The program includes a community garden, community kitchen and food bank pantry.
“NPA helped us develop and set up the program for local residents,” says Tim. “It supported planning, organizing resources and accessing additional professional expertise. ASLCS handed the program over to the community, and it’s been very successful.”
For Kate Grout, ASLCS’s Volunteer and Communications Coordinator, these supports help rural organizations feel less isolated. “Participating in Non-profit Advisors programming connected us with other organizations and volunteers,” she said. “It’s encouraged us to build a network to support one another.”
Building Community Through Connection
Through all of ASLCS’s programs and partnerships, one message stands out: volunteers make a meaningful difference. And for many volunteers, the experience of giving back is equally rewarding.
“Human connection is important for our well-being and quality of life,” says Better at Home volunteer Bill Makarchuk. “It’s meaningful to be there for someone who needs that weekly visit, and I feel supported in my volunteer work.”
“Volunteers tell us that they often feel like they get more out of volunteering than the people they are helping. It fills them up,” says Tim. “Some have received support from us in the past and now want to pay it forward. Our volunteers have a real impact in people’s lives. Their care and support help create a compassionate community for everyone.”
