2024 Volunteer Appreciation Art and Poetry

I’ve learnt to change the way I speak about things.

I have now a willingness to address the issues that brought me to prison.

Community supports help me to plan how it’s not gonna happen again.

I never planned to cause anyone any pain.

Then again, I never really planned anything.

That was then and this is now.

Parole Officers, facilitators, counsellors and volunteers have helped in showing me how,

How emotions determine behaviour.

Also my role in correcting things and not leaving it all up to my Savior.

To show my appreciation to my advocates.

I’ve decided it’s time for me to reciprocate.

Thank you all for the hard work you do.

I know during this process we bumped heads it’s true.

With so many negative thoughts and emotions

It’s sometimes hard to get life moving again in a positive direction.

This ain’t system busting, sometimes I felt crushed.

Reason being, I felt what you call it? Paint brushed.

But thanks to my community’s support.

I’m one step closer to freedom I’m happy to report.

For what I’ve done I am remorseful and full of regret.

So I decided to do better and it has earned me some respect.

Moving forward my actions I know will reflect.

Thanks to CSC, PBC and my community supports the good life I know accept.

By Troy

I am thankful

and stress the difference

made by those people who are so kind

and have been since childhood

Only those dedicated people

knew how to help me

be part of a community

positive and ready to love

This poem is dedicated to you

I will always remember you

what you gave me

Like that star in the Milky Way

I was finally able to find myself

Now, it is up to us to thank you

for all the help you gave us

That is why I decided to participate

In an anticipated difference

For all that support

in order to do good

It is to you

that endless love goes.

By Eve

I take the time to thank you

everyone who took part

directly, or indirectly, in maintaining our well-being

On behalf of all the inmates

you will always be welcome

know that you give us hope

that there is light after the dark

Thanks to you, our days of incarceration

are less of a test

but are more colourful

Thank you. Stéphanie. 

Every other Wednesday I help out with Yamaska

An English literacy group headed up by Martha

Lately she's been coming in her wheelchair

But on January 10, she wasn't there.

I was passed a card by Tim, the Chaplain

He said, "This is to give your commiseration

to the family of Martha, maybe you have something to say,

because just this past Monday, Martha passed away."

Martha had been with Yamaska for 40 years

For 30 of them, she'd been coming here

To the Pen, as a volunteer

Creating opportunities, for life and career.

A life of service,

a life of kindness,

a life unprejudiced,

a life of benevolence.

Yesterday, the group met again

It's two weeks later, and not quite the same,

Something is missing, it was in the air

Because of course, Martha wasn't there.

Yet the work she began will continue

Her spirit lingers, like some sort of residue,

or a legacy, an undying gift;

Still, Martha, you are sorely missed.

By Ray 

Value the time but the time is priceless.

Appreciation seems overlooked but not forgotten.

As being reminded by their courage.

Down the right path from the guidance from the guided.

Being present as dedication is the gift.

Reincarnated by motivation and the hope that is within.

Helping us inmates like William R. helping the poor.

Flourishing while healthy relationships are being built.

Sparking a light igniting flames dark caves look brighter.

Dark days seem dimmer clearer skies use to be stormy days.

Blinded by our mistakes stigmatized from the sins.

Lifeguard to our problems how one can drown in the guilt.

Commitment to leading us to the right direction.

The GPS to many destinations.

Devoted to someone else’s purpose or task.

Preparing souls for the future as I appreciate and give thanks.

By Jonathan