Volunteer Spotlights: Making a Difference, One Story at a Time
Our MPCPC volunteers engage in a community clean-up initiative
Behind every initiative is a person who chose to show up. This article highlights the stories, motivations, and impact of the volunteers who make our community stronger every day.
Giving Back, Growing Forward: Maria Caballero✨
Maria started volunteering at the MPCPC to complete her Criminology degree practicum, and quickly saw how many ways there are to give back to the community. Since the start of her practicum in January, she has participated in foot patrols, cellphone and speed watch, soup kitchens, business outreach, office shifts, and a resource tabling. Maria believes that the MPCPC’s wide variety of shifts keeps the experience fun and has helped her develop a greater range of skills than she initially expected was possible.
Maria’s most memorable moment while working at the MPCPC was during a soup kitchen shift on a rainy day as she was handing out socks to unhoused individuals. She remembers a man approaching the table she set up and asking for a pair of socks, and as they talked for a minute he mentioned how this was his first pair of socks in a while that hadn’t been soaked by the rain. She took that moment to reflect on how every small action that volunteers do for the community can be a big moment for those we serve.
Outside of volunteering, Maria is busy finishing her Criminology degree and works as a clinical support worker and admissions specialist for a substance use treatment centre. She also enjoys playing tennis, going to the movie theatre, and playing video games.
For Maria, volunteering at the MPCPC is about opening yourself up to new opportunities and consistency in the effort to make Mount Pleasant better every day.
From Classrooms to the Community: Rayyan Ahmed✨
Rayyan Ahmed is a second-year Law Enforcement Studies student at the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC). His interest in policing began when he was five years old, as he remembers seeing Vancouver Police Department officers standing with their police service dogs at Waterfront Station, being so fascinated by their uniforms and the work they did. Although he considered many career paths throughout his elementary and high-school years, policing was always in the back of his mind.
For Rayyan, he states that although JIBC did provide him with a strong theoretical foundation, he believes his volunteer placement at the Mount Pleasant CPC gave him the opportunity to apply those lessons in a real-world setting.
One of the biggest lessons he learned during his placement was the importance of community policing. Volunteering at the CPC allowed him to see firsthand how strong partnerships between community members, volunteers, and police can help with crime prevention and public safety. This experience made his passion for policing and the value of community engagement much stronger.
Looking back on his placement, he believes that volunteering at a Community Policing Centre is one of the best ways for anyone interested in pursuing a career in policing to get some experience. Volunteering here provides opportunities to develop important skills such as communication, teamwork, professionalism, and problem-solving while building confidence in interacting with people from all walks of life.
From Classrooms to Community Patrols: Arneet’s MPCPC Adventure✨
Some volunteers jump in quietly and quickly become part of everything, and Arneet Hundal is one of them. Since joining MPCPC in August 2024, she has helped with neighbourhood patrols, school outreach events, and more, bringing energy, curiosity, and care to every program.
Outside of volunteering, Arneet keeps a busy schedule. She is a third-year Criminology student with a minor in Political Science at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. She also works part-time in retail at Pacific Centre and enjoys staying active with sports and gym workouts.
Arneet decided to volunteer with MPCPC to connect what she was learning in school with real community work. Volunteering has given her hands-on insight into the legal and policing systems while helping her feel more connected to the community.
Arneet has been involved in neighbourhood safety patrols, road safety programs like Speed Watch, community outreach events, community clean-ups, and office support shifts. Her favourite programs are the community outreach events at elementary schools and office shifts, where she gets to connect with people and support the team behind the scenes.
In just over a year of volunteering, Arneet has already made a positive impact. Her energy, curiosity, and willingness to help wherever needed show what community volunteering is all about.
When Creativity Meets Community: Lyssette in Action🌟
For Lyssette, volunteering is about connection, impact, and being part of something bigger than yourself. She believes that even small actions can make a big difference in building safer and stronger communities.
During her time volunteering, Lyssette has been involved in neighbourhood safety patrols, road safety initiatives like Speed Watch, community outreach events, community clean-ups, and office support shifts. Her favourite experiences are the community outreach events at elementary schools and office shifts, where she helps programs run smoothly and connects with students and community members.
Outside of volunteering, Lyssette has a busy and creative life. She holds Bachelor’s degrees in Communication Sciences and Business Management and works as a manager at a Canada Post office. She also supports logistics and protocol for Global Conference Alliance Inc. On top of that, she works in the film industry as a Set Supervisor in the Wardrobe Department. In her free time, she enjoys creating event décor, playing volleyball year-round, and reading.
Volunteering for Lyssette is about community, teamwork, and meaningful connections. Her experience at MPCPC shows how volunteers from all backgrounds can come together to create a safer and more supportive community.
From Newcomer to Community Champion: Babak’s Journey💡
Babak Borzooei joined MPCPC to learn more about the legal system in Vancouver and gain experience for a possible future career in law enforcement. Along the way, he discovered something bigger.
Through volunteering, Babak connected with people from different cultures, backgrounds, and communities. These connections showed him how meaningful community work can be. He has learned to communicate respectfully, work toward shared goals, and adapt to different group dynamics while building genuine relationships with others who share the same mission.
One of Babak’s favourite moments was the Volunteer Appreciation Event. Volunteers were divided into teams and challenged to solve riddles and puzzles in a fast-paced environment. It was fun, chaotic, and exciting, showing just how well volunteers can collaborate and support each other under pressure.
Volunteering at MPCPC has given Babak a sense of purpose and belonging. As an immigrant who arrived in Canada just two years ago, he was initially nervous about engaging with the community. MPCPC became a welcoming place where he could learn, grow, and build real connections. For Babak, volunteering is about community, growth, and finding your place.
John Postman: Answering Questions and Making Connections🤝
John Postman has been volunteering with MPCPC for almost two years and has seen firsthand how the centre has grown and impacted the Mount Pleasant community.
John first got involved during high school when a class required him to volunteer for 90 hours. That experience introduced him to MPCPC, and he was hooked. Seeing the positive changes in the community kept him motivated to continue volunteering.
One of John’s favourite memories is the Info Desk at Kingsgate Mall, where volunteers answered questions from the public and handed out flyers. He had the chance to help a mom learn about the VPD Cadet Program for her son and later reconnected with them at the Cadet Welcome BBQ, a full-circle moment he still cherishes.
The biggest lesson John has learned through volunteering is communication. Talking to people about concerns or offering a helping hand has shown him how important clear and thoughtful communication is for building trust and connection.
For John, volunteering is more than giving back. It is about building a community of like-minded people, making connections, helping others, and seeing the difference volunteers can make.
Volunteering with Heart: Heidi’s MPCPC Adventures🌍
Heidi Allen joined MPCPC initially for experience toward a future in policing and because it was in her neighbourhood. She quickly discovered that volunteering offered so much more a supportive community of like-minded people and meaningful connections beyond gaining experience.
Heidi has been volunteering since April 2025. She leads Foot Patrols, helps at the Soup Kitchen, and supports Distracted Driving initiatives. Her favourite program is the Soup Kitchen, where she gets to interact directly with community members and build bonds with regular visitors she might have otherwise just walked past. These moments give her a sense of connection and purpose that goes beyond any task.
Volunteering has taught Heidi to treat the community as equals and to see the world from other people’s perspectives. She has gained empathy, understanding, and appreciation for experiences different from her own. Every shift has shown her how small acts of kindness and attention can make a real difference in people’s lives.
Her favourite memory is the Volunteer Appreciation Event organized by Raf, where she met and connected with volunteers she hadn’t worked with before. For Heidi, volunteering is about making friends, building connections, and contributing positively to the community. She encourages anyone thinking about volunteering to get involved-it’s rewarding, inspiring, and full of moments that remind you why community matters.
Bobby Dhaliwal: Helping the Community, One Step at a Time 🚨
Bobby Dhaliwal has been volunteering with MPCPC since April 2024. He wanted to give back to his community, support neighbourhood safety, and gain experience for a future in law enforcement.
Bobby has joined Foot Patrol, Road Safety, Speed Watch, Cell Phone Checks, and VPD events. He enjoys meeting residents, helping out wherever needed, and being part of a team that makes the community safer. Every shift gives him a chance to connect with people, hear their stories, and see the impact of small actions firsthand.
Volunteering has taught him the power of collaboration. Working together, listening, and showing up consistently can make a big difference. Bobby also appreciates how volunteering helps him grow personally. He has become more confident, patient, and understanding while learning practical skills that go beyond the classroom.
For Bobby, volunteering is about being part of something bigger than himself. It is a chance to create safer streets, build meaningful connections, and learn from an amazing team of staff and volunteers. He encourages anyone thinking about volunteering to give it a try. The experience is rewarding, inspiring, and full of moments that remind him why community matters.
Volunteering Outside the Comfort Zone: Jonathan’s Journey🌱
Jonathan Ma has been volunteering with MPCPC since May 2024. What started as experience for a future career in policing quickly turned into a journey of personal growth, new perspectives, and meaningful connections.
One of his favourite memories is from a foot patrol in the northwest part of Mount Pleasant. Along an alley between 6th and 7th Ave, he and his patrol leader discovered a cluster of discarded needles. They sifted through the litter, uncovered about ten needles, and reported the rest to Van311. The sense of accomplishment was real and they even smiled at each other like they had hit the jackpot. Moments like this show how small actions can have a big impact.
Volunteering taught Jonathan to set aside personal biases. At first, he was apprehensive about approaching unhoused individuals, but he quickly realized they are people facing tough times who deserve empathy, patience, and understanding. He also learned how communication, teamwork, and showing up consistently make a real difference in the community.
For Jonathan, volunteering is about self-improvement, skill-building, and stepping out of his comfort zone. It broadens horizons, develops life skills, and provides experiences he wouldn’t have otherwise. His advice to anyone considering volunteering is to try something new, you might discover more about yourself than you expect, meet amazing people, and feel the satisfaction of contributing to your community.