Lily Dyson has been an Immigrant Centre volunteer for just over one year. To date, Lily has contributed 119 hours as a One-on-One English Tutor, helping her student improve her English language skills, while providing friendship and support.

Here is Lily’s story about her involvement with the Immigrant Centre.  

My family and I are part of the Volunteer Matching Program at another settlement agency. The program head told me about the Immigrant Centre and advised me to call. I enjoy meeting newcomers and refugees, and I am fascinated with learning about the different peoples cultures and backgrounds, so I thought it would be an interesting place to meet people who I can help. 

I have volunteered at many places through the years. Winnipeg Harvest, Christmas Cheer Board, Siloam Mission, Norwest Co-op Community Food Centre and Welcome Place.  Immigrant Centre has been one of my most positive experiences to date. The staff are all friendly and knowledgeable. They are approachable and very helpful. 

Before volunteering at the Immigrant Centre I did not know that the Centre offered workshops in helping people do their income tax returns,  resume making and finding employment. The Centre is a great importance to all newcomers and refugees. It is a one stop place for all.

I have been retired for about 10 years. I had worked at CRA (called Revenue Canada before) and MPI.  I have worked at office positions mainly. While working, I did not have the time to devote to volunteering. But once I was retired, I knew I wanted to find a way to help and give back to my community.  

I enjoy collecting gently used items from our community for example – small household appliances, kitchen utensils and cookware, household items, clothing, computers, iPads and giving them to refugee families in need.  Currently, I am working with others to fundraise money to help children in Kenya. Some of my fundraising ideas are baking for sales, perogy making and selling empty pop cans to make money. A small amount of money can go a long way to help a child in need.