Jay Diyora is our Volunteer of the Month for December
November 29, 2017
QMUNITY would like to recognize Jay for his dedication, positivity, and enthusiasm across all of our programs. Thanks, Jay!
How did you get involved with QMUNITY?
I always wanted to give back all the love and support I have received, and after I moved to Vancouver I got the opportunity to do so by volunteering with QMUNITY. My first volunteering experience was at East Side Pride this summer!
Tell me a bit about yourself!
I am a 26-year-old recent transplant from India! I love walking by the seawall or spending time reading books at the Vancouver Public Library (VPL) or cooking! I love cheesecake too!
What’s your favourite part of volunteering at QMUNITY?
Meeting and interacting with all the beautiful souls out there and helping them in whatever ways I can! I love how everyone at QMUNITY is filled with so much love, optimism, and kindness.
Tell me a short story of an interaction at QMUNITY that stands out for you.
At Sunset Beach following the Pride Parade, I was volunteering with QMUNITY and this really sweet person came up to me and asked for one of the Q identity stickers. I complimented the rainbow temporary tattoo placement on their face, asked them about it, and I said that I loved it. After a while, they came back to give me the exact same tattoo from one of the booths. This gesture touched my heart and I still think about it!
What does your happy place look like?
My happy place, well, I have this picture in my head and it is me living in house on a hill, where I can witness the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets with my future pets (I don’t have them now), a Siberian husky and a Labrador.
What is your favourite food and why?
My favorite food is roti (Indian naan) and stuffed eggplant curry that my mom cooks for me. I think it is my favorite food because it tastes better than any stuffed eggplant curry I have ever had anywhere else. My mom adds a special ingredient to it: her immense love.
What items could you not survive without?
I think those items would be my cellphone, earphones, body lotion and a lip-balm!
What’s your favourite way to spend a day in Vancouver?
Sipping coffee as I walk the seawall, sitting by the seawall feeling the breeze, or reading a book at VPL.
Message from Justin, Development Coordinator:
Jay has been an amazing volunteer to work with this past year and his enthusiasm and dedication does not go unnoticed. He’s friendly, hardworking, and incredibly generous and committed with his time to our communities. I feel lucky to have him on our team. 🙂
Interview by Alannah James, Volunteer Coordinator