Volunteer Spotlight: Alyssa

In the final year of her nursing program, Alyssa found herself matched with the Welcome Centre Shelter for a community placement. What began as a school assignment quickly grew into a lasting passion.

“I hadn’t really heard of the shelter before,” she recalls. “But when I looked into it and came in for an interview, I realized, wow, this place is really cool.”

That impression stuck.

“I was immediately drawn in by the nonjudgmental and welcoming environment. I was so amazed that our community had this incredible resource,” she says. “My short time at the shelter as a student was so impactful that not long after I had begun my career, I reached out to the shelter to come back as a volunteer.”

Now two years post-graduation, Alyssa has been consistently volunteering since January 2024, carving out time from her already packed schedule as a full-time nurse on the Women’s and Children’s Health floor at the hospital. She aims to come in at least once a week, helping with whatever is needed—from assisting staff and setting up rooms, to supporting peer support teams and lending a hand in harm reduction.

“I’m there to support the staff however I can, so they have more time to do the intake and pre-intake work that really needs focus,” she explains.

One moment that stands out to her took place outside the shelter walls.

“Last spring, myself and another volunteer spent the morning at the LUSH store in the mall to engage with people and educate them about the Welcome Centre Shelter,” she says. “I found that many people didn’t know about the Welcome Centre or had misconceptions about the services we provide. That event still inspires me to share what kind of positive things the shelter does, whether it’s with my coworkers or with friends and family.”

Her passion for helping others runs deep. Alyssa describes her time volunteering as “engaging, connecting, and reflective.” She credits the shelter with shaping both her professional and personal approach to life.

“I’ve made so many meaningful connections with staff, volunteers, community members, and clients,” she says. “Each of these connections has taught me something valuable that I can apply in my work or personal life. Something that has really stuck with me is reminding myself to keep a non-biased and nonjudgmental mindset when interacting with individuals and working through conflicts.”

Outside of work and volunteering, she’s often found hiking, canoeing, enjoying live music, or catching a concert.

“I’m very outdoorsy and always on the go. If you ask anyone, they’ll say I’m probably the busiest person they know!”

Even with a full schedule, she continues to show up, and she hopes the energy she brings to each shift leaves a lasting impression.

“I hope that clients and community members feel the positive energy that I bring into the shelter when I’m volunteering,” she says. “Creating a space that is positive for everyone is so important because it helps to foster a welcoming environment and make clients and community members feel safe.”

When asked what she wishes more people knew about volunteering here, her answer is simple, but often something that gets overlooked when discussing a topic like homelessness.

“It’s important to come in with a non-judgmental, unbiased mindset. That’s how positive, genuine connections happen.”

For Alyssa, volunteering is about both giving and growing.

“Volunteering provides me with an opportunity to support the services my community offers in a way that also allows me to learn and grow from the experiences I have.”

And for anyone thinking about getting involved?

“I would tell them that as a volunteer, whatever effort you put into your role will reflect the type of lessons and connections you make,” she says. “What you put into your role is what you will get out of it.”

Thank you, Alyssa, for bringing your time, heart, and incredible energy to the Welcome Centre. We’re grateful to have you as part of our community, and we hope to have you along for a long time.