Meet Abigail. She supports multiple programs and is November’s Volunteer of the Month.
Abigail Williams is originally from St. Lucia where she earned undergraduate degrees in both Education and Sport Science. She came to Canada in 2018 and earned her Masters in Languages, Literatures, and Cultures from the University of Calgary. She is a teacher by profession and in the future would like to gain employment where she can combine working in the field of education while focusing on community building.
Abigail learned about CIWA through her program mentor at the University of Calgary. She co-facilitates the volunteer orientation sessions, completes surveys with both clients and volunteers, provides interpretation and translation support, and she helped enhance the volunteer training materials. Abigail also provides support to employment programs through mock interviews with clients. On top of that, she is now planning to volunteer with the New Friends and Neighbourhood Group Program.
She began volunteering before the COVID pandemic and remained active the entire time. She was CIWA’s first volunteer to provide interpretation support to clients over the phone and virtually. Through this, she was able to set guidelines and to implement innovative changes to this service. As a volunteer, Abigail’s professional skills surely enrich her work. She provides exceptional support to the Volunteer Program.
Abigail appreciates the breadth and depth of CIWA’s services. She enjoys being part of an organization that listens to its clients’ unique needs and address them through innovative programming. She is happy to be a part of an organization that intentionally connects with and supports immigrants in meaningful and impactful ways. She also recognizes the great value in immigrant women supporting each other.
“CIWA has a beautiful focus on the unique situation of immigrant women and strives to offer the best services possible.”
She says that CIWA staff are incredibly supportive and empowering; this has ‘allowed her to spread her wings’ in the world of community engagement. She is thankful to be given an opportunity where she can utilize her skills and passions in ways that are meaningful and have an impact on individuals and the community. Abigail is proud to be part of CIWA’s impact.
Abigail also enjoys investing her time with newcomers to Canada she says volunteering has given her a real jump start and helped to understand what’s going on in the city and the needs of newcomers. She intends to continue to give her very best to the community and enjoys sharing in the journey of newcomers.
CIWA staff recognize her uplifting nature and her strong desire to help, her commitment, punctuality, and her superb teaching skills. Abigail is a focused and fast thinker who delivers what she offers.
Abigail is very family oriented and enjoys doing as much as possible with her family. She enjoys outdoors activities such as hiking, snowshoeing, and trekking. She also enjoys writing, reading, and swimming.
Congratulations, Abigail, on being volunteer of the month for November 2020! To learn more about volunteer opportunities click here.