Jasneet felt connected to her Punjabi culture growing up in Abbotsford, yet she knew there was still so much more she hoped to learn and experience firsthand.
While exploring volunteer opportunities that aligned with her desire to support her community, a friend told her about the South Asian Day Program for Older Adults. The program immediately felt like a place where she could give back while strengthening her cultural roots.
A Day in the Life
During her volunteer shifts, Jasneet spends her mornings greeting clients, offering snacks, and helping seniors settle in for the day. She assists with lunchtime preparations, cleanup, and later supports the group through various activities and games.
“What stands out about Jasneet is her consistency and the respect she shows every participant. She has built meaningful relationships with the seniors, and their comfort with her is obvious,” shared Gurcharan Dhillon, South Asian Day Program supervisor.
Each morning, participants engage in brain-stimulating activities such as answering questions or creating words from letters written in Punjabi. These games are designed to keep their minds active while encouraging cultural connections and language use.
After lunch, the room fills with laughter and friendly competition as the group enjoys table games like bingo and a variety of card games.
“Sometimes they get so excited that they remind us when it’s time to start the games!” shared Jasneet. “I love watching the seniors get competitive during the games.”
Being surrounded by these seniors – speaking the language, hearing their stories, and learning from their experiences back home has deepened Jasneet’s understanding of her heritage and renewed her appreciation for her culture.
She also recognizes how much she has grown personally.
“My communication skills have improved so much. I used to be shy, but now I’m more comfortable speaking with everyone. Being here feels like being with my own family. I never feel out of place.”
One of her Favorite memories is going on field trips with the seniors.
“It’s nice to see them enjoy places they may not have been able to visit otherwise. We take them on the bus and supervise so they don’t have to worry about anything, they can just enjoy the day.”
“What stands out about Jasneet is her consistency and the respect she shows every participant. She has built meaningful relationships with the seniors, and their comfort with her is obvious.”
Program participants eating lunch
Looking Ahead and Encouraging Others
As she looks toward the future, Jasneet hopes to continue volunteering even after completing her studies. The relationships she has built are too meaningful to walk away from.
She also encourages others to volunteer, especially those hoping to reconnect with their roots or learn more about their culture.
“Volunteering is such a rewarding experience. You learn so much from the seniors, from the stories they share to the wisdom they’ve gained. It’s something I think everyone should experience.”