Meet Mera Reyes – She is a volunteer Interpreter
Born in Mexico and calling Calgary home since 2014, Mera has spent much of her life working with people through storytelling, the arts, education, and therapy. As a master story teller her work has always been rooted in a belief in the power of stories to bring people together, create understanding, and help us see ourselves and one another in new ways. She has a deep interest in connecting across cultures and communities, and this commitment is evident in everything she does.
Mera first came to CIWA as a client in the Training for Translators and Interpreters Program in 2025. After graduating, she chose to continue giving back as a volunteer interpreter and has quickly become a steady, reliable, and highly valued member of the volunteer community.
Today, Mera supports clients in a wide variety of settings, including general meetings, medical appointments, court appearances, and other situations where clear communication and cultural understanding are essential. She particularly enjoys supporting clients through some of their most difficult and vulnerable experiences, including medical and legal appointments.
For Mera, interpretation is about far more than translating words. She describes her role as being able to “hold space” for people and provide the very best support possible during moments when they may feel overwhelmed, uncertain, or vulnerable. She approaches these situations with both strength and gentleness, drawing on her own life experiences including difficult and traumatic ones, to become a pillar of strength for others.
Mera is a strong, authentic, and justice-oriented advocate. Her goal is to eventually work as a cultural broker or in another role where she can consistently advocate for individuals who are vulnerable. She sees volunteering as an important part of her journey toward that goal. She describes herself as a “social warrior and resource for networking”. She is undeniably someone who wants to help people navigate systems, connect with resources, and feel supported when they need it most.
Her dedication has not gone unnoticed. Court staff, including judges, have recognized and acknowledged Mera personally when she is onsite providing interpretation support. Medical and court staff regularly express their appreciation for her work, and perhaps most meaningfully, clients themselves will specifically request that Mera return to support them.
Mera brings a unique combination of professionalism, compassion, courage, and authenticity to her volunteer role. She understands the responsibility that comes with supporting people during what she calls their “frail experiences and vulnerable situations.” She strives to be both strong and gentle, creating a sense of safety while ensuring that clients feel heard and respected.
For Mera, volunteerism is also a two-way exchange. She recognizes that volunteering means giving her time, but she has found that she receives something deeply valuable in return: experience, connection, and a greater understanding of Canadian culture and the communities around her. She does not see volunteering as simply a task to complete, but as something much more meaningful and precious.
In her own words, “I feel I get more than they get. I feel humble, honoured to work in most intimate and difficult situations of life.”
Mera’s commitment to advocacy, her strength in the face of vulnerability, and her genuine desire to serve others make her an exceptional volunteer. She is not simply interpreting language; she is helping people navigate some of life’s most challenging moments with dignity, understanding, and support.
One staff member praises Mera by saying the following, “Mera, has been a wonderful support to our clients through her volunteer work as an interpreter. Clients have shared that they feel supported, comfortable, and more confident when she accompanies them to appointments. Her support allows clients to better communicate their needs, understand the information being provided, and leave their appointments with a sense of accomplishment, knowing they were able to address the reason they came.
From my perspective, I really appreciate her commitment to supporting CIWA and our clients. She is responsive to requests and consistently demonstrates her willingness to help, including making herself available when interpretation requests come up at the last minute. She is reliable, patient, and caring in her interactions with clients. Her willingness to step in and support clients when they need it most makes a meaningful difference and is truly appreciated.”’