For the past almost four years, KCR Community Resources has been able to share stories of passion, commitment and hope by featuring nearly 200 individuals and or organizations that make a deep impact in the community. We are very grateful to the team at 麻豆精选 for holding space for these stories and for their ongoing commitment to share the news and stories of our community. Karen Hill as the Publisher and Jen Zielinski as the Bureau Chief are amazing professionals who are fantastic to work with and they are powerhouse humans who strive through their work and volunteer efforts to make a difference.
Our first article featured Irene Draper, a lovely woman in her 鈥�80s who declared that 鈥淰olunteering makes me get going in the mornings.鈥� Another person shared that they found volunteering helped them deal with their grief after their spouse died. We shared stories about organizations where volunteers and staff work incredibly hard to achieve their missions. It has been an absolute honour and privilege to share these stories. It has been amazing to connect with people and groups that are so deeply committed to making our community better. Thank you for taking the time to read these stories. We hope we inspired you to make a difference in a way that resonates with you.
At this time, we need to pause this weekly article, but I wanted to share one more quick story about volunteers making a difference.
One of the great joys I have had as a parent was when my son was in soccer. 鈥淪uper Soccer Saturday鈥� was a highlight of the week for both him and for me. He was never a star player but his coaches (all volunteers) were incredible and we were a part of a community that we still benefit from, although he hasn鈥檛 played in years. For many families, these youth soccer programs are a rite of passage; I know I kind of took access to them for granted. For newcomer and/or racialized families, sport programs can present many barriers and potential for children to experience racism and discrimination.
In 2024, the United Against Discrimination program launched an 鈥淚nclusive Soccer鈥� project that offered soccer opportunities and shared messages of anti-discrimination and inclusivity. Made possible with funding from Heritage Canada and the incredible leadership of Dr. Shirley Chau, Social Work professor at UBC and the creator of the United Against Discrimination portal (an active tool for addressing racism and discrimination in the community), the project has been an incredible success. For the winter session, we are fortunate to have the volunteer support of the UBC Okanagan Heat Men鈥檚 soccer team. The Heat鈥檚 head coach Dante Zanatta immediately jumped on to support the project, saying 鈥淪occer is the World Game. Everyone can play.鈥� Recruiting the Heats team players to be volunteer coach participants, Dante has made it possible for an average of 40-50 kids to play soccer every Sunday through to the end of March. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a no-brainer to be involved,鈥漵ays Dante. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great way for the players to give back and also gain coaching skills for their own development.鈥�
For two of the volunteer coaches, it is clearly a no-brainer also. 鈥淚t鈥檚 soccer, so I want to be involved,鈥� says one coach laughing, clearly loving the game and the opportunity. Another coach says 鈥淚 see myself in them. I have wanted to play at the university level since I was young and feel fortunate to be able to so now and to be able to give back to the sport and the kids.鈥�
For the kids on the pitch and the families supporting from the sidelines, it鈥檚 an amazing opportunity to be connected - to community, to resources and to learning. It鈥檚 important learning for everyone: racism should have no place in sport or community and it is all of our responsibility to address it, either as those who are discriminated against, and those that can be active allies. For more about United Against Discrimination and how to report acts of racism, go to www.kcr.ca. And of course, that is also where you will continue to find all you need to know about getting involved and volunteering.
Dorothee Birker is the communications & development manager for KCR Community Resources.
