Tiffany has been a group leader for her volunteer group at our community meals programs for several years.
This year, we had the privilege to welcome Tiffany to skill-based volunteer role, to facilitate one-on-one piano lessons for our Men’s and Women’s Treatment clients. Our clients sign up through Chaplain Robbie in the Music Department in our Spiritual Care Program.
Tiffany was surprised that clients kept signing up. She thought the beginner nursery songs she teaches might feel boring to clients and discourage them from continuing, but found that people are willing to start small and build up to more complex songs.
This reflects our encouragement to many clients’ path to recovery. To take it one day at a time, especially in the beginning. Then one day, when you look back, you will see that you were laying the building blocks for a beautiful new road that leads to a lifestyle in recovery.
As the lessons went on, our client’s piano skills improved and Tiffany started seeing clients starting to play the piano with both hands. Together with efforts from Chaplain Robbie, clients built confidence in learning new things. Clients also told Tiffany how the lessons remind them of their childhood.
Tiffany found that volunteering with a faith-based organization gave her more opportunities to share and practice her faith through songs. She taught faith-based songs like “Amazing Grace” in the lessons and found a different way to serve God here.
She also feels that the way VHL structures programs destigmatizes what DTES is like. Before she started sharing her experience at VHL, people used to be worried about her for coming to this area to serve vulnerable clients. After interacting with clients first-hand, Tiffany saw how VHL has a very “human-approach” in serving the community. She noted that while other DTES organizations might not focus on long-term solutions for social issues, she noticed that clients she met at VHL actually get better in time.
This past summer, Tiffany taught her last lesson with our clients as she is moving out of the city to pursue further education. We thank her for all she has done in Vancouver Harbour Light and wish her all the best in her future endeavors!
— Cindy Cheung, Community Engagement Coordinator