It was always Elaine’s retirement plan to spend as much time as she could helping others.
After completing a career in data management, Elaine applied for an ongoing volunteer role in our Double Take thrift store.
YSM’s Double Take is a thriving social enterprise that supports our mission by providing access to affordable goods, and investing all thrift store proceeds to benefit YSM’s programs.
This February, Elaine celebrates two years as a Double Take volunteer, where she’s had an enormous impact. She spends two days a week sorting and checking donations for quality, pricing goods, and watching for fabrics that could be used by Double Take’s Upcycling Studio.
Elaine’s favourite part of volunteering is the people she encounters. She loves when regular customers recognize and greet her, as well as all the friendships she’s formed with other volunteers.
“Talking with customers, there are some pretty lonely people who just want to talk with someone,” she says. “When I’m working in the back, I meet many different volunteers and they all bring different stories. I’ve built so many friendships, I don’t feel like I’m at work — I feel like I’m lending a helping hand to the family. To know I’m contributing so this runs smoothly or so I’m lightening up the workload — to me, that makes me happy.”
Did you know, in a typical week, Double Take requires the support of 112 volunteers?
Our Double Take thrift store is looking for more ongoing volunteers like Elaine, including backroom donation sorters, retail support to greet and assist shoppers, and Upcycling Studio support volunteers.
Visit ysm.ca/ongoing-volunteer to learn more.