Linda Yin immigrated to Canada from China in 2008 to be closer to her daughter and to help with her two grandchildren. She worked as a Senior Engineer before going to Calgary.

Linda learned about CIWA through a friend. She was a client for a few years and benefitted from several services. A CIWA staff spotted her incredible talent while she was a participant of Grandma’s Kitchen and encouraged her to become a volunteer in the summer of 2022. Since then, Linda has been a motivated and inspirational leader within the Seniors Social Club. She believes that volunteering is important for seniors because it allows her to give back, learn new skills, support the community and demonstrate vibrance at any age.

Linda enjoys being a part of the Senior’s Groups because of the diversity of ethnicities, languages and life experiences. She thrives on the ability to build community and show the women new skills and create an environment where everyone learns from each other’s experiences.

“I love volunteering, I love all the women, and all the women love me for helping.

Linda consistently goes above and beyond in her duties as a volunteer. According to the staff, she is a delight to work with and shows a high level of professionalism, responsibility, and passion. She usually arrives early and goes out of her way to gather program supplies that will enhance client experience. Clients also like chatting with her and telling her about their preferences and desires because she is kind and open.

Linda always has a smile on her face, even in difficult situations and circumstances. During Grandma’s Kitchen program, she will ensure everyone is well fed and taken care of. She also offers top-notch translation services. Linda is friendly, dedicated, committed, conscientious, kind-hearted, enthusiastic, punctual, and has strong leadership skills.

“I am passionate about helping immigrant seniors break isolation, build social connection, and improve their mental health.”

Linda practices CIWA’s values of collaboration, excellence, and empowerment and CIWA is so lucky to have her in the program. Her skills, professional ethic, and passion for helping vulnerable people make her a valuable asset to our programs. She is a great example of how volunteer leadership can positively impact a community. Linda truly is an inspiration to others.

Linda keeps herself active by spending time with her grandkids and engaging in regular physical activities such as yoga and swimming. Her most recent initiative is to create videos and share them with the organizations she supports.

To learn more about volunteering at CIWA, click here