National Volunteer Week, April 10-16
NBACL President Dianne Cormier-Northrup with her daughter, Lynn, son Robert and husband Ron.
“Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in.” This powerful quote by Marjorie Moore strikes at the heart of how important volunteers are to us here at the New Brunswick Association for Community Living (NBACL). Each year, dedicated volunteers from every corner of this great province contribute their time, talents, knowledge and experience to change lives and communities for children and adults with an intellectual disability and their families. Be it youth who want to make their schools more inclusive by volunteering as a best buddy, or our long standing board and committee members, our volunteers deserve the highest praise for their contributions.
Whether it was donating to Syrian families through the Restore Hope clothing drive, or volunteering as a personal mentor to support a high-school student with an intellectual disability to find employment, your actions showed the world that New Brunswick is indeed the home of inclusive, welcoming and resilient communities. It is the place where diversity is valued and where all are welcome to participate fully in every aspect of our communities.
On behalf of the NBACL, thank you to everyone who devote themselves to the community living cause to ensure that people of all abilities are included in our child care centres, schools, colleges and universities, our workplaces and our communities. And finally, a big “Thank You” to the many organizations that welcome people with a disability as volunteers so that they also have the opportunity to become meaningful contributors to their communities.
Dianne Cormier-Northrup
President,
New Brunswick Association for Community Living
