Bhakti Chudasama
About Bhakti…
Bhakti is one of Rebound’s newest volunteers, representing a large number of young volunteers who are still in high school. For many teens, tutoring with Rebound is a wonderful way to obtain volunteer hours, but Bhakti chooses to volunteer solely for the experience it beings her – and to give back to the community she loves.
Why do you feel it’s important to volunteer?
Volunteering allows me to reach out and connect with so many different types of people as well as create long-lasting relationships and bonds. Volunteering has allowed me to step forward and assist others in difficult situations even when it is just being a friend or a supportive figure for someone.
How does volunteering benefit you?
Volunteering has allowed me to experience one-on-one connections as a mentor that have allowed me to build my leadership skills and interpersonal skills. It has so many benefits, I could make a long list! Volunteering helped bring me out of my comfort zone and build my confidence. It has allowed me to make a positive impact in my own community.
What does “Volunteering is Empathy in Action” mean to you?
“Volunteering is Empathy in Action” has so much meaning to me because empathy is essentially the most fundamental principle of volunteering. It allows me to be considerate and caring with every action I make while continuing to develop a further understanding of their story and how their circumstances are unique.
Have you learned anything about yourself from being a volunteer? About others? About the world?
I have learned so much about myself from being a volunteer and I am continuing to do so! I have been able to recognize and improve my communication skills through my interactions with people of all ages and learn the kind of jobs that interest me and ways in which I can be a better member of the community. Volunteering has allowed me to explore further career opportunities, which as a student, is vital. Through volunteering, I have learned that there are so many people who go through hardships at no fault of their own and my experiences have contributed to my love for volunteering as I am able to help those people into better situations.
Have you ever been on the receiving end of volunteer work? Do you have a story to share?
As a prior new immigrant to Canada, I have experienced so much love and kindness from volunteers who have assisted my family and I by helping us get settled into our new home. It is a huge reason why volunteering is so important to me!
In a world where we expect to be compensated for the work we do, what value is there to volunteering?
For me, volunteering is so valuable because it is purely your actions and your commitment. Volunteering helps me feel a sense of purpose and identity because I am able to pay kindness forward and I am compensated by the fact that I may have helped someone have a better day due to my actions, which is a reward in itself!
What advice would you give someone who is thinking about volunteering?
I would tell someone that volunteering may sound difficult and out of your comfort zone, but you would be surprised how much a difference it can make in your life! As a volunteer, every small action can have a big impact and every little impact counts. Volunteering can lead to self-improvement, confidence and the ability to discover what you are most passionate about. It’s never too late or too early to start volunteering!