Volunteer

Volunteer of the Month

Laurette Wright

In the early part of 2013, Laurette Wright was invited to attend a Citizenship Ceremony by her friend Rosi Larcombe, an Immigrant Centre Citizenship Ceremony volunteer. Her first ceremony as a volunteer was on April 10, 2013 and she has been part of the team at the Via Rail Station ever since, greeting and seating the soon-to-be-new Canadians and their guests and making everyone feel welcomed.

Through her work in the legal community, Laurette had dealt with the Immigrant Centre’s Language Bank to request interpreters, but it wasn’t until she actually came to the Centre to sign up as a volunteer, that she realized the full extent of services and programs that are offered here.  “It is so involved” she says of the Immigrant Centre. “Everything is right there.”

To date, Laurette has volunteered at over 120 Citizenship Ceremonies, and she still feels inspired every time she attends one. “We take so much for granted. Every time I leave after a ceremony, it is so uplifting.  Everyone is so excited when they come in…so hopeful. We still cry when people go up for testimonials.”

In addition to volunteering at Citizenship Ceremonies, Laurette shares her artistic flair with the seniors at the complex where she resides, planning and decorating for events, teaching aquacise and low impact aerobic classes and helping with her church group. An avid reader, she loves to dance and particularly enjoys baking and creating chocolate delicacies for her family and friends.

The Immigrant Centre thanks you Laurette for your time and dedication.