Name: Jason LaPorta
Program: Chemical Engineering
Favourite Volunteer Experience: Being around a team of fun and energetic people at the Stewards of Cootes Watershed clean up.
Quote: “Definitely give it a try. Make the time for it. Even if it takes up some of your social time, you’ll feel like it was your social time because of how it made you feel.”
Jason was initially interested in volunteering through Mohawk because he wanted to meet inspiring people and to give back during his time in school. He thinks when you come out to volunteer and everyone is just out to have a good time and trying to make everyone else’s day better—it just feels good. Volunteering makes you bring that positivity into your own life. The biggest impact volunteering has had on him was that it showed him what is important and useful.
Name: Prasanth Indralingam
Program: Police Foundations
Favourite Volunteer Experience: Working with kids at the Ronald McDonald House
Quote: “Growing up, you probably had someone who helped to shape who you are. By volunteering, you could be that person for someone else.”
Prasantha came from Montreal and volunteered to get more involved with the community. Volunteering not only helped him get involved in the community, but it also helped him on the practical side of the Police Foundations program. Dealing with different people and cultures helped to broaden his perspective and worldview. He feels volunteering has helped make him a better person and contributed to both personal and professional growth. Prasanth highly recommends volunteering with Mohawk and that there are always plenty of opportunities that can fit into your schedule.
Name: Jessica Bujacz
Program: Paralegal
Favourite Volunteer Experience: Coffee Club with Wesley
Quote: “I think I just like the people, I’m not just around students, I’m engaged in the actual Hamilton Community and really feel like I’m making a difference.”
Jessica volunteered with Mohawk and was driven to do so after not really getting involved during university. She started with the mindset of it being a good thing for her resume and getting employment, but continued to do it because she started to really enjoy it. She found Campus To Community was accommodating of her schedule, was a casual environment, and gave her easy access to resources. The impact of volunteering helped her grow as a person and she felt very happy to help foster the sense of community. Jessica learned time management, and learned to build a life outside of school.
Name: Namjoo Shin
Program: Police Foundations
Favourite Volunteer Experience: Common Grounds Volunteer with Wesley
Quote: “Most people think of volunteering as helping the poor or underprivileged, but it's more about helping your society as a whole.”
Namjoo started volunteering in his first year nad has continued to take part in various volunteer opportunities both on and off campus. Volunteering has allowed him to gain a new perspective, meet new people who have different backgrounds and cultures and see things he wouldn't see if he didn't volunteer. He explains volunteering as a rewarding experience because it allows him to help society and make many meaningful experiences.
Name: Heson Prestoza
Program: Global Business Management
Favourite Volunteer Experience: Airport Welcome Volunteer at Pearson Airport.
Quote: “Volunteering is an intangible achievement and I love to make people smile and provide help and I've been able to do that through volunteering.”
Being an international student from the Philippines, Heson knew he wanted to volunteer while studying abroad. The first person he met at Mohawk told him to get involved in volunteering, and he decided to try it out and has been contributing to the Mohawk community ever since. He has learned to be selfless and enhance his leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. He wants to be a source of information to others and share his knowledge with other people. He explains that Mohawk College is a diverse community and provides so many opportunities for people to build their skills and become actively involved within the school and Hamilton community.