Volunteer Appreciation Week April 2021

In recognition of National Volunteer Week, 18-24 April 2021

By Chelsey Blair, Interim Volunteer Coordinator

Recognition for Ian Handy of Information and Referral Services (IRS)

Ian Handy has proven time and again to be an exemplary volunteer, going above and beyond his responsibilities to support QMUNITY and the broader community we are serving. In early 2020 before the pandemic hit, Ian went above and beyond to recruit a volunteer team to re-invigorate Information & Referral Services (IRS). Once QMUNITY’s doors were closed, Ian continued to manage the IRS virtually single-handedly, even from home. Ian’s wealth of experience, his kindness and the time shared with QMUNITY is immeasurably valuable. Thank you, Ian!

Alumni Recognition

Maureen Orman has been running Dear John, I love Jane— a Peer Group for women who are questioning their sexuality after – or during – heterosexual relationships or marriages— for the past 10 years as of May. Maureen is an inspiring role model; so much so, that (at least) two current Peer Groups were formed by past participants of Dear John. Recently, Maureen stepped back from her role as lead facilitator, and is now bringing her experience and mentorship to the Peer Group Advisory Committee. 

Zoey Green and Mil Reyes González have been running BiFocus— a Peer Group for folks who identify and are questioning their identity as bisexual, pansexual, or non-monosexual-— for the last 3 years. They step back now from their roles after nurturing a wonderful and welcoming community for that time. They have made a great team, and we are thankful to them for their contributions to the QMUNITY Peer Group Landscape. We are looking forward to seeing BiFocus grow to include chapters in other parts of BC in the future as a result of their fantastic community-building work.