Discover Trinity: The Inspiring Work of the Trinity College Volunteer Society

Throughout the year, members of the Trinity College Volunteer Society (TCVS) play an important and active role providing opportunities for students to give back to the Trinity and wider Toronto community. At the helm of this student-run Trinity College club is President Emily Neeson. Through fundraising, educational and volunteer events Emily says the TCVS provides its members with a rewarding opportunity to engage with their community.

“For us, volunteering is important because we, as university students, are incredibly privileged,” she says. “We have the time and the ability to give back and we gain so much from our community. Something as simple as donating gently used clothes or taking a few hours to prepare a meal can really mean a lot for people in Toronto.”

With events running frequently throughout the year, the TCVS offers flexible opportunities for students to volunteer and to get involved. “Anyone at Trinity College – students, administrators and alumni –  are encouraged to participate in as many events as they would like,” Emily says. “For Trinity students looking to take on a greater leadership role within the club, elections to serve on the executive occur in March.”

Among the events run by the TCVS is its Community Cooking initiative. Organized by Katie Harris and Jennifer Han, a group of dedicated TCVS volunteers prepare and serve a meal to between 80 and 150 low-income members of the community at the St. Thomas Anglican Church. “They work tirelessly to make sure this event runs smoothly every month,” Emily says. “There are always many members of the community who are excited for this meal, and it’s nice to be able to get to know people when you are serving.”

Other annual events run by the TCVS include biannual donation campaigns, where gently used clothing and new personal hygiene items are collected. In the past, these items have gone to organizations like the WoodGreen Community Services, Nellie’s Shelter, New Circles, and many others. This year’s Holiday Drive took on a new dimension thanks to volunteer Mitchell Mittelstaedt. Mitchell reached out to the TCVS and suggested a partnership with GLOW (Gently Loved Outdoor Wear). Not only was this a great opportunity for two inspiring volunteer organizations to combine forces, but it also extended the TCVS’s university network.

“Mitchell informed us that many different groups around University of Toronto were also taking part in this clothing drive.” Emily says. “It’s difficult to engage students across the University of Toronto campus, and most of our volunteering is done through Trinity College, so this was an amazing opportunity to build a sense of community!”

Although there are many TCVS accomplishments Emily is proud of, last year’s symposium remains one of her favourites. “Every year, we try to run a panel discussion that includes a wide variety of perspectives and areas of interest from our community,” she says. The 2017 event, “Diversity our Strength: Belonging in Toronto,” featured an impressive panel of social activists, authors, academics and students. “That symposium showcased different types of individuals working on uniting Toronto. The event really engaged Trinity students,” Emily says.

Events like this symposium clearly reveal the impact of the TCVS volunteers, who not only continue to inspire members of the Trinity community, but also encourage them to give back and to make a difference.

Want to learn more about the TCVS? Visit their Facebook page, or take a behind-the-scenes look at their Community Cooking initiative!

Categories: Arts & Science; Student News