Volunteer Spotlight – Srini Sivaprakasam
Photo: Srini in the middle of the photo with other NCC volunteers at the 2024 Winter Celebration
Meet Srini Sivaprakasam! (he/him)
Volunteer Role/Position(s): English Tutor and Special Events Volunteer.
Volunteering Since: 2024
Languages: English & Thamizh (Tamil – that’s how native English speakers pronounce and spell)
Why do you love volunteering at our Centre?
“I have gone through the documentational, linguistic, cultural, challenges as an immigrant, and I was helped by strangers along the way, even if it was as simple as learning to use a pedestrian crossing button on a busy road. So, I can empathize with the challenges of other immigrants. And I would like to pay it forward.
Two, I believe the most precious resources we all have are time and health.
I always like to use my time productively. I would like to use my skills and time productively and NCC offers both.
Third, NCC is a mini–United Nations. You can meet people of many nations and can learn cultural differences through volunteering. While Canada makes immigrants feel home away from their home, organizations like NCC ensure this objective is achieved at a grassroot level.
Fourth, NCC in itself is run by a diverse group of people. Also, the organization is run professionally. They have a website that has all the information, newsletters to catch up on missed information, various POCs for various disciplines, a dedicated portal to track volunteer hours, and their volunteer coordinator, Jillien, is friendly and professional.”
What is one thing you have learned by volunteering with newcomers?
“This is not unsolicited advice or any, I am truly writing what I think, here.
Instead of looking at people with “How can I benefit from them?”, if we ask ourselves, “Professionally and ethically, what can I offer or how may I be of help to them?”, it improves the quality of understanding between the two. It works for all, including newcomers.”
What do you like to do when you are not volunteering?
“My life revolves around Trent University.
Mostly I am at school attending classes. Attending events and climbing drumlins are my favorites too. And outside school, I actively volunteer.”