Anne Mohtadi: Volunteer, Member of the Children & Youth Committee
Anne was raised at Grace church and has “always come here,” she says. Now, she is a frequent volunteer who has served as an English Language Learner (ELL) teacher, Sunday School teacher, and a member of the Children and Youth Committee. (She submitted this month’s report!)
Growing up, Anne says that volunteering was “bred into me and my brothers,” by parents who “were always volunteering for something.” Like many a Grace volunteer, Anne is modest about her (numerous) skills. “Volunteering is a way to personal growth,” she says, and acknowledges that sometimes, you don’t always feel qualified or skilled enough. “I think people are scared sometimes, that they won’t be good at this, or able to do that,” she says. “It can be hard to recognize personal gifts, and realize the impact of being a volunteer.”
However, Anne’s volunteer experiences have offered her an opportunity to learn new skills and meet new people. As a high school student, Anne helped teach Grace Sunday School to “impart the faith to children.” She ended up learning more as “children ask a lot of great questions and you have some good discussions.”
She also works with ELL. “You get to know the students as people and help them with their struggles,” she says. “There’s a lot of fun and smiles and laughter.” She finds the participants to also be very gracious and thankful.
Through these experiences at Grace, and other organizations including Neighbour Link and Inn from the Cold, Anne says she realizes the power of volunteers. “When you pick up and deliver groceries, you see the impact this has on the life of others,” she says. “It opens your eyes.”
If you are interested in volunteering at Grace, email Cindy Stephenson, Coordinator of Volunteers, at cindys@gracecalgary.org.
