Comments Off on How Melvin came to volunteer, and left with a new career
A year ago, Melvin wasn’t sure what his future would look like.
After the hours at his job were suddenly cut, the stability he had relied on disappeared. Despite having studied computer engineering, finding work in his field was proving difficult. With fewer hours and fewer opportunities, Melvin found himself spending more time at home, unsure of what would come next.
Then, an unexpected opportunity opened a door.
Melvin’s mother noticed that North York Harvest Food Bank was looking for volunteers at Albion Public Library. Melvin jumped at the chance to help his community —not knowing that volunteering would eventually help him build a new career.
“I liked interacting with the community knowing you’re making a difference … I’m the kind of person who really likes to lend a helping hand when someone needs it, he says.
While volunteering at our Albion Library Community Food Space, Melvin learned about Leadership in Logistics, our paid workforce training program that helps people develop the skills, certifications and experience they need to pursue careers in warehousing and logistics.
He jumped at the opportunity.
From volunteer to student
Over four weeks, our paid training program creates hands-on learning and skills development opportunities right in our warehouse — not instead of the vital food support we provide every day — but integrated into it.
Students gain the skills they’ll need to succeed while helping North York Harvest Food Bank support 30,000 clients facing food insecurity every month.
During the program, Melvin learned alongside fellow students, gaining practical experience and industry certifications. Just as importantly, he gained a pathway forward.
That pathway led to a full-time job with Canadian Tire Corporation.
Now, one year later, Melvin is celebrating his first anniversary with the company, and reflecting on just how much has changed.
“The program impacted me very well. Since then I haven’t had to ask my family for money. It’s made me more independent,” Melvin says.
“It made me very grateful to wake up and have a job considering how tough it is to get a job nowadays. I’m thankful for the opportunity North York Harvest Food Bank and Canadian Tire have given me.”
After months of dedication, he has moved into new roles with additional responsibilities—a meaningful sign of how far he has come since the day he first walked into the Community Food Space as a volunteer.
“In an overall sense, things have been great, much better in comparison to how I was doing well over a year ago. I am very thankful for everything that has come my way since I have been hired,” he says.
For Melvin, it started with a volunteer opportunity at a local food bank. From there came training, new skills, and a first step into a new career.
And sometimes, one opportunity can change everything.
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