Volunteer Profile: Bryce Ward
“It has been a great experience with many up and down feelings! It brings me back to the days where I was that kid causing chaos on the streets and abusing drugs to the point they abused me. Now I am a dopeless hope fiend, where before I was a hopeless dope fiend.”
What part of the province do you live in?
I live in the City of Edmonton but have moved around alot from BC to Ontario.
How and why did you first get involved with JHC (the community response initiative)?
I first got involved with JHC because of school. I had just graduated from the Addictions and Mental Health Community Support Worker Program. I was just going to get my 100 hours and that was that but after seeing the way the organization works, I don't plan on moving on any time soon.
What is your current role within JHC?
My current role is #1 volunteer as Judi puts it! I am on the street stride and also Bear Clan patrol teams. These initiatives involve hitting the streets with compassion for our brothers and sisters who need a helping hand or ear.
What are your (volunteer) activities and what do they involve?
My volunteer activities consist of loading our carts with snacks, oranges, other fruit , hot coffee, water and juice. The team also loads another cart with warm weather clothes like toques, mitts, hand warmers, jackets etc and other warm weather donations. We hand out the articles as we walk and I like to talk to everyone. This may help with the emotional support that so many need because many people do not have anywhere to go because of COVID and getting kicked out of everywhere.
How long have you been a part of the community response initiative?
I have been there for 3 months and I am not planning on going anywhere anytime soon.
What's it like to be a volunteer for this cause?
It has been a great experience with many up and down feelings! It brings me back to the days where I was that kid causing chaos on the streets and abusing drugs to the point they abused me. Now I am a dopeless hope fiend, where before I was a hopeless dope fiend. This is great because I understand the kids talking to me. It helps build a connection with new people and old friends that are still caught up in the chaos.
What has surprised you most about working on this community initiative?
The compassion that the whole organization has! I heard about the organization from my mom who has had the opportunity to work with Renee and always has great comments about the staff and the organization. Now, I see for myself the care and the compassion that gets carried forward. I am very grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the bigger picture.
Are there any learnings/ challenges you have experienced through this work?Please tell us about those
I haven't come into any real challenges except my own need to try to do everything! But I try to pass the responsibility around! My previous jobs as site foreman and site safety officer and the need to take on a lot trickles through..lol Thank you
