May 2024 Volunteer Highlight: Russell Willier & Blue
What programs do you support at JHC?
Blue: Social Stride, attended the Rural Youth Anti-Racism Retreat in Oct 2023, & Ignite Change Convention - Youth Leadership Series
Russell: Social Stride, Stride Advocacy, Anti-Discrimination, and Education in Schools
How and why did you first get involved with JHC?
Blue: My supervisor at the time got an email regarding the Social Stride Youth Retreat back in October of 2023.
Russell: My friend Blue invited me out to Social Stride Leadership Series [part of the Ignite Change Convention] in December 2023.
What are your (volunteer) activities and what do they involve?
Blue: I have participated in Social Stride’s Youth Retreat, the 75th Anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights, and just recently, the Alberta Teachers’ Association X JHC DEHR conference.
Russell: [I took part in the] Social Stride Leadership Series (December 2023), and attended the recent Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) Conference in April 2024.
How long have you been a volunteer for this initiative (and for JHC as a whole)?
Blue: I have been a “participant/volunteer” for JHC since mid-October, 2023.
Russell: I have been involved with JHC since December 2023 and I’m happy to continue collaborating.
What is it like to volunteer for this initiative?
Blue: It is incredible. Amazing team, wonderful activities, actively reducing barriers in fully covering transport [to attend the activities I was a part of].
Russell: The JHC is very supportive and fun to work with. I always learn lots and enjoy collaborating with like-minded people.
Are there any learnings/challenges you have experienced through this work?
Russell: I learned a lot just listening to other people’s experiences; I haven’t had any challenges yet.
Blue: Many learnings, a lot of sharing through circles and 1-on-1 conversations with other participants.
What has surprised you most about this role?
Blue: How simple it is to be involved.
Russell: How well JHC brought like-minded people together to collaborate on projects.
