A group of Dal students and employees traded in study spots and desks for an afternoon earlier this month to head into downtown Halifax in support of vulnerable women and their families.
Volunteers gathered on Friday (March 7) to sort clothes, toys, toiletries and other donations at The Rose, an affordable housing building operated by Adsum House — the Halifax-based non-profit that provides housing and essential goods and services to women.
But volunteering at Adsum House wasn’t just about sorting donations, said its main organizer. It was also about showing support for women in need and recognizing the power of coming together to make a difference in the community.
“We do not just exist in the bubble that is Dal campus. We are part of a greater community in this city,” said Anajose Reyes Guevara, a peer educator with Dal’s Office of Equity and Inclusion who spearheaded the volunteer opportunity as part of Dal's International Women's Week.
We are part of a greater community in this city
Volunteers play a crucial role in helping Adsum manage its donations and services, which help women, children, and gender-diverse individuals experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
Bridging the gap
While the Dal event was a one-day volunteer effort, Reyes Guevara said it helped bridge the gap between awareness and action in allowing students and employees to contribute in ways that directly benefitted the community.
“Many of us will graduate or go on to work in the Halifax community or beyond, so it is important to expand the reach of our office," she said.
Reyes Guevara first came up with the idea for the Adsum event after attending a fundraiser for the organization hosted by Dal's Faculty of Medicine.
Efforts by volunteers at this month's event helped ensure that items were organized and ready for distribution to Adsum clients, many of whom rely on these necessities in times of need.
“It is great to see folks in the Dal community keen to volunteer in the greater Halifax community,” said Reyes Guevara.
Building a partnership
She says she'd like to see the collaboration with Adsum continue beyond this year's event and encouraged members of the Dal community to learn more about the resources available, both on and off campus.
"Engaging in community initiatives like this helps strengthen connections between Dalhousie and Halifax,” she said.
For those interested in supporting Adsum House, volunteer opportunities and donation information can be found on their website.
