A Volunteer’s Journey: From Cleanups to AI –
Many immigrants who are looking for better opportunities choose Canada for its high quality of life, economic stability and a welcoming, diverse society.
Bin, who has been volunteering with the Hastings Sunrise Community Policing Centre (HSCPC) since October, is no exception. Hailing from Shanghai, China, the 45-year-old IT consultant moved to Canada last September with his wife and daughter to enjoy a calmer and quieter lifestyle.
“Shanghai is a very busy city where people feel a lot of pressure to be successful and earn money, and we had very little time to spend on activities that we enjoy,” says Bin.
When Bin and his family moved to Hastings Sunrise, he noticed the HSCPC’s sandwich board sign on the street and applied to volunteer right away.
“It is really important to me to learn about the local culture and to give back to the community that has welcomed us,” explains Bin. “Being part of Canadian society allows us to enjoy all the freedoms that come with it, and in my opinion volunteering is the best way to contribute.”
When Bin started volunteering with the HSCPC, he joined the litter cleanup events happening bi-weekly on Saturdays as a community participant. Now that he is a regular volunteer, he covers shifts in the front office once a week to assist residents with questions or concerns about safety related issues.
Having a volunteer like Bin has been extremely valuable for the HSCPC. During quiet shifts, he leverages his extensive IT background to streamline data management, and utilizes innovative AI tools to design high-quality presentations and assist staff with office jobs.
“We are very lucky to have Bin because he is so eager to learn and help with whatever is needed at the centre,” says Nina Kreis, HSCPC coordinator.
When asked about what he likes to do in his free time, now that he has more of it, Bin says: “I love going to the local library to browse through the huge selection of books. I’m a very curious person and trying to improve my English skills whenever I can.”
Education is very important to Bin and his family: “I also help my daughter with her homework, and support her as best as I can, but her English is already better than mine,” says Bin with a proud smile.
If you, or someone you know, is interested in becoming involved at the Hastings Sunrise Community Policing Centre, visit https://hastingssunrisecpc.com/volunteer/, email info@hscpc.com or call 604-717-3584 to learn more! ■
