November 2024 Volunteer Highlight: Crystal Parker
As North America’s first Human Rights City, Edmonton has been an important hub for action on human rights, bringing people together from multiple sectors and all walks of life to lead work in creating a city where human rights are protected and respected. This work has a long history that is rooted in the leadership of community activists who began their efforts in the 60s and 70s. Yet, despite the monumental impact on the current generation of activists, this history has yet to be documented and celebrated. JHC launched a project in Summer 2024 to document the histories of these older generations of activists’, who have led the charge on the protection and realization of human rights for decades. Our goal is to translate their teachings, learnings and wisdom into tools for education and capacity-building that will inspire civic action and engagement in current and future generations of Edmontonians.
This month, we’d like to highlight one of the wonderful volunteers who have supported this project, Crystal Parker, and share their experience volunteering with JHC on this project.
How and why did you first get involved with JHC?
I was looking for a meaningful way to volunteer and be involved with the community and came across the organization and the activism project. After meeting with the and JHC staff and learning more details about the project and that I would be hearing activists' stories, I was sold. Being a witness to another person's experiences is an enormous privilege.
What are your (volunteer) activities and what do they involve?
I have been able to support research for and conduct interviews with a few of the local activists that are taking part in the History of Activism in Edmonton project.
How long have you been a volunteer with JHC?
6 months.
What has surprised you the most about this role?
How many people we have from the Edmonton area that have made such significant impacts to Alberta and the greater Canadian community.
Are there any learnings/challenges you have experienced through this work that you’d like to share?
I have learned so much about the history of immigration, disability rights, inner city work, and disarmament. Human rights have such an impact! It's been so amazing, no challenges! All amazing learning.
What is it like to volunteer with this initiative and JHC as a whole?
It has been an enormous privilege! I wish I could soak in all of their wisdom and knowledge. Their work is inspiring!
Feedback from the JHC team:
Crystal has been an essential part of the History of Activism project. Her eagerness to volunteer and her willingness to step up have added so much value, especially in supporting interviews with the activists and conducting the research that informed those conversations. Working with Crystal over these past months has been such an honor and privilege. Thank you Crystal for all the time and effort spent working alongside us!
- Hanan, Manager of Youth Education & Leadership
Interested in volunteering with the John Humphrey Centre?
Fill out a volunteer application by visiting the link below or email info@jhcentre.org