VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Verna Humphries & Geraldine (Geri) Webster Fenelon Falls Learning Centre
Jessica Nairn (left), Geri Webster (centre) & Verna Humprhries celebrate 10 years at the Northern Learning Centre (2007)
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"I've seen and met angels wearing the disguise of ordinary people living ordinary lives." ~Tracy Chapman~
Nobody at the Northern Learning Centre in Fenelon Falls would dispute the quote above - because there are two very special angels in their midst every Wednesday. Their names are Verna Humphries and Geraldine (Geri) Webster.
Verna - A decade and counting
Verna Humphries began her volunteer career eleven years ago when Community Living Kawartha Lakes first opened the Northern Learning Centre. Explains Verna: "Dorla was my son, Robert's, support worker. She was setting up the Centre and asked me to be a teacher." Verna said, "Yes," and has been volunteering with the Northern Learning Centre ever since.
Verna's background is in education, so it is only natural that her primary responsibility at the Centre is to teach. She plans lessons on a variety of subjects. "We start out with news and current events in the morning," explains Verna, "Then we do money, reading and math. After break time, it's writing, journals and crafts."
Verna helps out with crafts at the Northern Learning Centre
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Like most successful volunteers, Verna works as part of a strong team. She works closely with fellow volunteer, Geri and Community Living Kawartha Lakes staff person, Jessica - brainstorming lesson and project ideas.
The group has just completed a section on Canada, for example. "We did all of the provinces and now we are finishing up by creating a game about Canada," says Verna. "It is like Trivial Pursuit but is all about Canada and what we learned." Next on the itinerary is a look at the solar system.
When asked what has kept her coming back to the Centre for more than a decade, Verna's answer is simple but powerful: "Their success. It may seem like just a little thing, but it is a lot for them. To hear them say, 'I can do it' - well it just means so much to hear that. I am very pleased with their success."
Community Living Kawartha Lakes staff person, Jessica Nairn, has endless praise for Verna. "She is very dedicated to what she does and to the individuals. She is extremely organized and skilled…she is always doing things for the group, like making hand sewn pencil cases, books and bags," Jessica tells us. "Verna is a great asset to the Centre, always going over and above."
The participants at the Learning Centre couldn't agree more. "She's a nice teacher," says Juanita Cooper. Jen Maw tells us, "She's a very loving, caring, helpful person."
"The world is hugged by the faithful
arms of volunteers."
Everett Mámor
Geri - On her way up to a decade
Working her way up to a decade of service at the Fenelon Falls Learning Centre (one year to go!), Geri (Geraldine) Webster jokes when asked how her volunteer career with the Centre came about. "I was conned into it," says Verna.
"A friend of mine, Gil, was coming in and doing woodworking with the group. He asked me to come with him a few times and I would stay awhile. When he wasn't able to come out any more, I took over." While Gil's volunteer work concentrated on woodworking, Geri helps out with everything else.
Geri cuts the cake at last fall's 10th anniversary celebrations at the Northern Learning Centre
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"I help with reading, writing, math, social studies…whatever they are doing, I assist. The three of us (volunteers Verna and Geri and Community Living Kawartha Lakes staff person, Jessica Nairn) sit down and plan out our lessons. Then we take turns presenting and doing different sections."
When asked what has kept her coming back to the Learning Centre for nine years, Geri says thoughtfully: "They're a good group to work with, and they are very appreciative. And Verna - she is a retired teacher and she lends us her expertise."
"You might get frustrated because it [what you're teaching] isn't getting through, and then they get it, and that makes it worth coming back."
Community Living Kawartha Lakes staff person, Jessica Nairn, appreciates Geri's valuable contributions. "She is very dedicated, creative and knowledgeable - she is always bringing new ideas to the table," says Jessica.
"She's like our 'wingman,' the assistant teacher. She works one-on-one with the participants while Verna teaches the group as a whole."
Jen Maw and Juanita Cooper agree. "She's always sharing and bringing us goodies," Jen tells us. "She is a nice helper," says Juanita.
Cheers for Geri & Verna
Participants at the Northern Learning Centre also had these thoughts to share about their pair of volunteer angels:
"They are the best two helpers." Robert Humphries
"They do a good job." Lance Bradamore
"They are good workers and they do a lot for us." Fred Johnston
"Thank you for helping us." Molli Law
"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before
starting to improve the world."
Anne Frank
About the Northern Learning Centre
The Northern Learning Centre (NLC) group meets every Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The group meets at the Fenelon Falls United Church and is facilitated by Community Living Kawartha Lakes staff person, Jessica Nairn and volunteers, Verna Humphries and Geri Webster. Nine individuals with intellectual challenges currently attend the NLC programs.
The group runs from September to June (coinciding the school year) and participants are given the opportunity to develop skills in reading, writing, math and money, arts and crafts, journaling, budgeting, telling time and Canadian studies.
Each morning, participants start out by discussing current news and what they did over the past week. Then they work on money skills, reading and writing. Playing a fun game of Bingo with words enhances reading skills.
On occasion, a guest speaker will come out to the Northern Learning Centre to share his or her special knowledge or talents. Celebrations are held along the way for holidays and birthdays.
In addition to the Centre's activities on Wednesdays, Community Living Kawartha Lakes offers a cooking class for participants every Thursday. The class is also held at the Fenelon Falls United Church. Participants plan menus, prepare a grocery list and then shop for the groceries. Once back at the church, they build on their kitchen skills by working together to prepare a delicious and nutritious meal that everyone shares.
For more information about the Northern Learning Centre in Fenelon Falls, please contact Jessica Nairn at (705) 328-0464, ext. 328 or, on Wednesdays, at (705) 308-9345.
Volunteers opportunities at the Centre
Community Living Kawartha Lakes is in need of a volunteer driver in Fenelon Falls. The volunteer would drive two people from the Secondary School to the Salvation Army in Fenelon Falls (approximately one block). Assistance is needed on Mondays at 2 p.m. and on Tuesdays and Fridays at 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., September until June, inclusive. This position would start off in September 2008. You do not have to be available for all days; even one day each week would be of help to us.
We are looking for a volunteer with experience in woodworking to share his or her skills with participants of the Northern Learning Centre. This volunteer opportunity requires involvement only on Wednesdays until 2 p.m. and is not a weekly commitment.
We also welcome folks interested in speaking to our group or sharing other skills and talents.
If you might be able to help us out with any of these volunteer opportunities, please contact Jessica Nairn at (705) 328-0464, ext. 328 or, on Wednesdays, at (705) 308-9345.
To read more about the Northern Learning Centre
To read more about the Northern Learning Centre, check out this story:
A Decade of Learning in Fenelon.
Community Living Kawartha Lakes exists so that people with intellectual challenges and their families can achieve their personal goals and participate in the development of healthy, inclusive communities.
For more information about volunteering
For more information about becoming a Community Living Kawartha Lakes volunteer, or to apply online, visit our Volunteer Centre.
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