2025 Volunteer appreciation art and poetry

At last, I have a weekly gig
After spending so many years busking, read:
'Playing for next to nothing, for next to no one';
This audience of volunteers
Seems to appreciate what I have to say, and
My interpretation of more familiar songs ... or,
Is it only a courtesy?
That lets me hear a pin drop,
Maybe the odd 'shush', and
'I really want to hear this', or
Ever so stealthily, continuing a conversation in the foyer.

Once, in Yukon, I was told it wasn't me, or my music -
'You just have to find your audience';
To think, I had to come to prison to find it -
This rapt attention to my shy performance,
Followed by a burst of applause, after-Chapel comments,
Requests, suggestions, and a genuine excitement
Of what we both experienced;
Sweeter than the clunk of a quarter in a near-empty case.

- ray M

Through children's storybooks and voice recordings,

I've been able to be a part of my son's daily bedtime routine every evening

Reading him stories that he's so fond of, and can joyfully read along with,

While hearing my voice reading to him in bed, feeling like I'm right there at his bedside with him

Once a month like clockwork, Hayley M. is here at the institution,

Taking the time out from her personal life to be here for us no matter the weather or season

C.H.I.R.P. has, and continues to generously offer their volunteer services,

Helping fathers and mothers in the prison system connect, and stay connected with their children Building and fortifying unbreakable bonds in a very heartfelt significant way,

Which are extremely valued, cherished, and continuously strengthened by the simple flip of a page Those bonds and connections are also deeply treasured in ways that words can never express,

And make us feel a sense of humanity that prison sometimes makes us repress and forget

I am extremely grateful for the C.H.I.R.P. program, and for all the ways that they go above and beyond, And appreciate all their efforts in helping me grow closer to my youngest son

Recognizing Hayley, and her commitment to the call,

And all of the people behind the scenes that make this program possible

Especially all those responsible for its existence and success

Please know, that "your time", "dedication", and "selfless acts of kindness" are "precious and priceless" Because without all of you to make this program happen,

Some of us may not have otherwise been able to make this type of a strong parental connection

Or be able to make such an influential impact in our children's lives,

Simply through the reading of a storybook to our kids at bedtime

So thank you, all of you, for your commitment, your time, and all the work that you do,

May God continue to bless each and every one of you, and all that you put your hands to.

Written by: Anthony

I felt like I was going out of my mind,

Feeling completely broken and dead inside

Like I was locked inside of a corpse's shell,

Being tormented and dragged through the gates of hell

My bones felt cold,

My soul felt old

My heartbeat seemed to have slowed to a crawl,

And the life-force within me felt like it was being drained from the depths of my core

But I turned my gun into a diploma, and went from a follower to a leader,

From a menace to a mentor, teaching the youth and helping the Elders

With the help of "Oro freedom", "Direct your life", "Think 2wice", and "UrbanRez",

Guiding me down a new path, the path leading straight to my "success and Black Excellence"

Their extremely valuable resources and services have been Key to my ongoing success,

In fact, they're actually responsible for so many of my ongoing great achievements

And to this day, they continue to help me extensively,

In ways that were never previously afforded to people like me,

And I can't forget the O.G.'s like Winston L, and Dudley L,

Who set the trend for other volunteers, like the one and only Paulette C from Eagle

I have to acknowledge Jasmyne from Revitaled, Steve from Skills Up, and Duane from Fittsocial,

Although our connection has been established more recently, your help and support has been vital

I also want to thank all those at PASAN whom I've had very positive longstanding relationships with,

And because PASAN has published my poetry in their issues of Cell Count, I'm now a published Poet

All of the volunteers I've mentioned above, have not only been invaluable to my current situation,

But they're also extremely instrumental and of great importance to my future successful reintegration

Because through these volunteers, and their organization's influence, dedication, and caring devotion,

I get the constant push and momentum I need, to keep me propelling nonstop in a forward motion

Written by: Anthony

The forgiveness project is an organization that projects forgiveness,

As well as presents ambitious opportunities that strengthen resilience

The founder, "Tara M.", is like a community mother,

Always putting the children first, and trying her best to help everyone else around her

Side-by-side, with Toronto hip-hop legend and international superstar "Solitaire",

They've used their endless resources, contacts, and influence to create a safe space for us to feel secure

Driven by their selfless desire to help others to apply themselves and achieve their goals,

They encourage everyone to see the potential within themselves, while infusing them with new hope

Offering their dedicated assistance and guidance, to all those who seek new ways for self-improvement

Giving the kind of help needed that will assist and elevate those incarcerated to be released from prison

The unique type of help that they freely offer, specifically recognizes each individual's particular needs,

And helps each person to identify exactly what they want to achieve

Exuberating with the "knowledge", "wisdom" and "overstanding" that so many of us need to succeed,

While giving each individual the necessary tools needed to receive potentially limitless opportunities

And they put forward their very best efforts to prevent the constant fear and overwhelming possibilities,

Of the youths today being imprisoned unnecessarily, and so often, too frequently

Because there are so many of these youths that are very pliable and really vulnerable,

Who are tragically stuck in the judicial system's endless cycle

Never escaping "the system's" nonstop revolving doors,

Repeatedly rotating them through the courthouses, from one courtroom to another Until they've reached the point where they've accepted jail as "just a part of life",

While each of those experiences cuts a piece of them away like a serrated knife

But whether young or old, through their abundant ongoing support, mentorship, and guidance,

The forgiveness project is dedicated to making "tomorrow's leaders" out of all of us.

Written by: Anthony

Drum keeping is a gift, one that gives your spirit a lift.

Drum keeping is a privilege I hold close. It is a role I honor deeply within my heart.

Where do I start with these drum keeper feelings? As you start with a song, you feel an instant connection with the drum, with the people, with yourself. Close your eyes, you feel Creator right there with you. An invisible force you felt, energy everyone around you can feel Euphoria. A serene sound mimicking the heartbeat of our mothers. The heartbeat of Mother Earth. Beautiful songs for all to hear. Songs that call the spirits, songs that bring healing, songs that give acknowledgment and bring tears of pure love, beauty that truly cannot be described. Drum keeper feelings are just not for the drum keeper; they are for all to feel, as we share our spirit with yours.

Hiy hiy

-Jennifer

You, volunteers, without judgement…
Observing us,
With a fresh look at our situation
Momentarily leaving your environments
To emotionally support us
Indirectly you take part in our development…

Passionate, motivated, involved,
You persevere when we are exhausted, depressed, frustrated…
You push us to overcome our challenges
For a healthy, better life, filled with joy!

Your support, your accompaniment in spirituality, religion,
In meetings outside and inside the walls

Your confidence helps us to rebuild ours
In response to and towards our loved ones, and society… that we have hurt
Sometimes consciously, sometimes unconsciously…

Being hurt, unloved, rejected or too nurtured,
We rejected the normality of a society,
Where we had developed this false belief
That our specificity was named incompatibility

Volunteers echo “advancement, accomplishment, self-confidence,
self-esteem, resolutions, reconstruction, reunification”
From all this results the success or our reintegration
I confirm to you that without your presence, volunteers,
There would be a side of fragility, that would remain hidden…
Ready to feed our insatiable insecurity!

Volunteers, thank you for all these years,
And for many to come!
Thank you for supporting us with your time which is vital and so precious to us
 

Written by Rhéas

In a world where time flies at a furious pace;
In a world where money imposes its cultural place;
In a world where sometimes, indifference isolates;
Angels still exist: they are our volunteers.

These people who are interested in their neighbours’ fate,
Give their time to reach out a helping hand;
These generous beings who selflessly dedicate themselves,
Don’t look for them further afield. They are among us.

Being very discreet, they ask for nothing
Neither thanks, nor money or any possession.
Yet what they give has no price,
Nothing can buy it: it is a part of their lives.

And it really is thanks to them if today, for some,
Remains a day of magic rather than sorrow!
For many years, they have honoured their commitments,
Distributing without counting with their arms and their time.

Without expecting in return anything of currency,
Because what they give is free and fully sincere.
They believe in humanity and give their time,
Sacrificing their evenings to honour this commitment.

To be available as needed and required,
To help serve their fellow citizens.
It is the beauty of this gesture and generosity of spirit,
To know how to pass on and keep the flame burning.

Without taking themselves seriously but not being frivolous,
We need them: they are volunteers.
With all our hearts, we wish to thank you:
“May you receive as much as you give!”

In the spirit of friendship, Carol