Volunteers Make Waves
This National Volunteer Week, April 27 – May 3, the theme is Volunteers Make Waves. CapitalCare is thrilled to celebrate volunteers by showcasing how their contributions ripple outward to strengthen connections, improve well-being, and build community across our centres. CapitalCare’s 931 volunteers contributed over 40,000 hours toward resident care across our centres in 2024. CapitalCare thanks all our volunteers for their work, the gift of their time, and for their commitment to our residents and centres.
Helen Henkelman first started volunteering at Kipnes in 2019. When her husband passed away in December of 2018, she wasn’t sure what to do with herself. Some of her friends encouraged her to volunteer at Kipnes, so she reached out to Bev Friske, the volunteer coordinator who shared that some residents struggled getting to physiotherapy appointments. If Helen wanted, she could help wheel residents to-and-from their appointments.
Staying active has always been important to Helen, so she first volunteered for one hour on a Tuesday. She’s been volunteering weekly ever since and has contributed nearly 700 hours in total across Kipnes’ physiotherapy, recreation, and spiritual care programs.
Helen assisting a resident during a physiotherapy appointment.
“Helen is one of my superstars,” says Bev.
When Bev first decided to pair youth volunteers with more experienced volunteers as part of Kipnes’ Summer Youth Program, she immediately thought of Helen.
“Not only is she reliable and kind, but she often chooses some of the most physical roles we offer.” Bev says Helen’s strength is helping the youth volunteers to understand the person they are volunteering with. “She highlights the individuals she spends time with, encouraging others to go the extra mile to really get to know the residents.”
When Helen first meets with the youth volunteers, she emphasizes a few key points.
“The number one thing is to keep that smile on your face,” says Helen. “Whoever you see, say good morning and give them a big smile. Just treat people with respect, and you can joke around with them. Focus on saying good morning and remember to smile. It’s a very rewarding thing.”
Helen’s work has expanded during her time volunteering at CapitalCare. She has gotten involved with the music program at Kipnes and participates in the hymn sings offered by Kipnes’ spiritual care coordinators. She’s currently planning to help the spiritual care staff plant flowers in the gardens ahead of Easter Sunday.
“When you’re widowed, you’re often told to start volunteering, but it can be difficult, especially when you wonder how much longer you have,” says Helen. “I may be coming toward the end, but I still love doing it because it’s given me a purpose. It gives you a reason to get up, get ready to go out, and spend time with others.”
“Helen always highlights the individual and takes their background and personal histories into account. She’s an exemplary role model for demonstrating what person-centred care looks like to volunteers,” says Bev.
Volunteers help CapitalCare build upon its goal of cultivating Healthy and Sustainable Living by supporting a high quality of life and an engaged community across our centres.
If you’re looking for a chance to get involved and make a difference alongside people like Helen, check out volunteer opportunities here.