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How volunteering saved the volunteer

Christine Joseph is not a client of Mid-Toronto Community Services, yet Mid-Toronto may be the best thing that ever happened to her. She’s been a meals on wheels volunteer at this United Way agency since 2001 ­ since she went through rehabilitation for drug and alcohol addiction. “The first year of my recovery, I volunteered every day, just to stay grounded,” she says.

In the few years that Christine has been with Mid-Toronto Community Services, she has volunteered almost 4000 hours, delivering meals to seniors, adults with disabilities and other clients. “I had nothing before,” she says. “I’d lost everything ­ my son, myself.” Christine has it all back now and more. Her son is home again and Christine is back at school. She’s upgrading her skills to enter George Brown College, where she’ll study advocate counselling for assaulted women and children. “I know I’ll be good at it,” says Christine.

And whenever she gets a chance, she volunteers. “Mid-Toronto is almost my second family. Those people stuck by me.” In return, Christine would do almost anything for them, go anywhere, including drug-infested neighbourhoods. “Been there, done it,” she says. Christine doesn’t miss much. She knew when drug dealers were taking advantage of a vulnerable client. She knew when to alert staff to a client’s unhealthy living conditions and she knew how to do it with respect.

“Now I can look at the person in the mirror. Before it scared me. I feel so proud of myself.” Christine credits her success to a few United Way agencies ­ A.C.C.E.S. for job training, the Family Service Association of Toronto for her counselling, and Mid-Toronto for helping her get her life back.

In 2002, Christine won a City of Toronto Community Service Volunteer Award for her valuable contribution to Mid-Toronto.