“No matter where you’re at in life, volunteering can ground you and bring some added perspective into your life. In whatever capacity you can, giving back in some way is always good.”
Caroline has been an invaluable asset to the BCMOS cycling program this summer. Since May, she has consistently volunteered her time, going above and beyond to book shifts well into the end of this summer. As a cycling volunteer, Caroline goes out one-on-one with clients, usually walking alongside them as they cycle through the many trails at Pacific Spirit Park.
Caroline, a kinesiology student at Brigham Young University in Utah, was already participating in an adaptative swimming program at the university but was looking for additional summer opportunities. Discovering the BCMOS website and seeing how it “aligned with her past experiences volunteering with children with disabilities,” she decided to apply as she “wanted to get more experience with adults,” and “loves hiking and doing recreational outdoor activities.” BCMOS programs offered her the perfect opportunity.
When asked about a favourite memory with the adaptive cycling program, Caroline remembers one client specifically. This client could not speak, “but after our session, she pulled out her phone and typed a message to show them.” It said, “This was so fun. I could do this every day.” Caroline notes how “heartwarming it was to know that a simple hour of walking alongside her as she cycled brought so much joy into her life. It is very rewarding to see someone else enjoy an activity that they maybe couldn’t do on their own but with the BCMOS adapted cycling program, they are able to.”
She has cultivated strong relationships with the program’s regular participants. “There are some regulars who come weekly, and it’s really fun when they ask about my week or how I’ve been,” she shares. Building these connections with participants has made her volunteer experience more meaningful. “Laughing and chatting with clients during our rides is part of what makes volunteering at BCMOS “definitely the highlight of my day,” she enthuses. Comparing her volunteer work to other aspects of her life, Caroline finds it incredibly fulfilling. “Coming to cycling is always a good day,” she says, “rain or shine.” It is “a positive thing in my day and has opened my perspective and made me a more grateful person,” she says. She also believes the program is filled with “incredible people” and interacting with them makes her walk away a little bit of a better person.
Caroline thinks that everyone should volunteer. “No matter where you’re at in life, volunteering can ground you and bring some added perspective into your life. In whatever capacity you can, giving back in some way is always good,” she shares. She also recommends it to young people who are figuring out their careers and their futures. She wanted as many experiences as possible to shape her career path. BCMOS cycling was a valuable step. Caroline recommends BCMOS as she “thinks it is a great organization that provides meaningful experiences for everyone involved—clients, volunteers, and staff.”
Thank you, Caroline, for your unwavering dedication to the BCMOS programs this summer! We appreciate all the time and effort you have put into our programs and the enthusiasm and spirit as you do it.