Volunteers at the Y: Ahmed’s Story

One of the first things Ahmed knew he wanted to do was volunteer.

“I was excited for and excited to do volunteer work,” he says.

For Ahmed, volunteering quickly became much more than an activity. It became a way to meet people, build confidence and, most importantly, feel like he belonged.

Through his volunteer experience at the YMCA as a ‘First friend volunteer’, Ahmed has had the opportunity to work alongside people from different cultures and backgrounds. He has also been able to offer something deeply personal: the same kind of help and support that others offered him when he first arrived in Canada.

“One of the things that encouraged me and made people have trust in me is that I was offering the help I was once offered when I first arrived to Canada.”

That sense of giving back is at the heart of why Ahmed continues to volunteer.

“I decided to start volunteering at the Y because I wanted to offer my help and because I feel like I am a part of the Saint John community.”

For Ahmed, helping others isn't about keeping track of hours or measuring what he receives in return. It is about doing something meaningful for the people around him.

“This is more of a humanitarian cause and more than just employment,” he explains. “I take pride in doing it as a humanitarian cause.”

Along the way, volunteering has given Ahmed something in return not in a way that can be measured, but in the confidence and connections he has built.

It opened doors for him to meet new people, helped him feel capable and brought him closer to the community he now calls home.

“Volunteering helped me feel capable and it teaches me something new every day and I meet new people every day.”

Ahmed says his volunteer experience has changed his life. He feels more connected to Saint John and more confident in himself, and he hopes volunteering will always remain part of his life.

For someone who arrived in Canada looking for a way to contribute, those moments are a reminder that he has found what he was looking for: a way to give back, build connections and be part of his community.

Ahmed's story is a reminder that volunteering can create a powerful circle of support. Someone helps you find your footing and one day, you have the opportunity to help someone else find theirs.

About the YMCA of Southwestern New Brunswick

The YMCA of Southwestern New Brunswick is a charity dedicated to building healthy, connected communities where everyone belongs. Through health and wellness, newcomer support, child and youth development, and community programs, we remove barriers, stand against racism and exclusion, and ensure people of all backgrounds have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Help Us Tell More Stories

If you’re reading this and someone from our YMCA community comes to mind whose story deserves to be told, we’d love to hear from you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team and share their story so we can continue highlighting the voices, moments, and impact that make our YMCA so special.