2023 Volunteer appreciation art and poetry

We give thanks to all volunteers across Canada who give their free time to come and comfort us all here in prison. Rain, snow and sleet does not stop you from driving sometimes over an hour to come and bring us good news, giving us hope for the future, giving us tools to prepare for our release back into society. I personally give thanks to you for taking the time just by coming and spending time with us as some of us this is our only visit that we receive.

We appreciate you all

Thank you

God Bless

Am I in NA? If this is the right place, then can you help me because I really can’t take it anymore.

I promise you that this is the last time I get stoned.

I’m looking for a sponsor.

My eyes are not red from smoking AH! AH L.O.L

Hey well thank you all for the support.

I love you all.

A big thank you

Thank you for your time.

Thank you for allowing me to spend special moments with my family.

Thank you for believing in me when I doubt myself.

Thank you for pushing me to face my fears.

Thank you for helping me thrive in my outings.

Thank you for listening to me.

Thank you for encouraging me.

Thank you for not judging.

Thank you for the valuable help you have given me.

Thank you for accepting me as I am.

Thank you for being so exceptional.

Thank you for existing, for being part of my life and making me a better woman every day.

You are wonderful volunteers, and I can never thank you enough!

Malie

Xo

Volunteering is like working

Except we don’t pay you with money

You’re paid with a reason to get up in the morning

Everyone knows that doing nothing is tiring

They’re there for what?

Who knows?

They’re here for me

To help

I personally wouldn’t be able to

It’s a joke!

I find them so remarkable

I want to do exactly what they do

Helping is in my nature

Yes, I’m in prison

But one thing is for sure, I am grateful to them

Maybe we’ll see each other again.

Billy

When solitude shows its face

and anxiety wants to take control of my mind,

thank you for being there.

When doubt takes root in my soul

and it becomes difficult to believe...

thanks for being there.

When I feel suffering inside of me

and the instinct to destroy

threatens to overwhelm or seduce me,

thanks for being there.

When serenity finally enters my calmed heart

and my soul opens up to others,

like a flower gifting its dew,

thanks for being there.

Because my Supreme being has no body

and needs your face to smile upon me,

your voice to encourage me,

the warmth of your hands

to awaken the love deep inside of me,

thank you for being there...

Our volunteers

I met them one lonely night,

they reached out to me,

I smiled at them, despite my weariness,

they made my grief go away.

Since then, I cannot do without them,

they are my source of joy, of life,

because they fill up my evenings,

with them, there are no worries.

But to do that, you need to know how to love and appreciate them,

experience every moment they give us intensely,

never regret our wickedness,

because they always forgive and accept us.

So if you ever meet them,

the ones we call “our volunteers”,

tell them thank you

for completely changing my life.

When love wakes

Love wakens to tranquility hastened and

fastened to a pace as far as the rivers race

Do time reveal a mystic appeal?

or determine a ravenous vermin

On which tears down relativity

to certain fidelity

Capturing long tales that

don’t grow frail

Desire to manifest a

prudence more modest

Of required intellect

savoury and introspect

Bravery is the dialect

stubborn and void

In the need of sound

voices loud

affect the range

of what’s to shame

never a word lame

Sought by their temples

all things that I resemble

the feelings absorbed

on a green hilled orb

of ill accord

and endeavours reward

is endeavours horde

“My Elder held her light”

To an elder person who volunteered for a job. A gentleperson I’m proud to call a friend. This person taught me some lessons.

In my new world of darkness, Elder held up her light, giving me guidance and courage of fight. As I slumped in a jail, this elder entered my angry – world, donating precious time.

The elder help draw up motions, advice. This elder found both time to help me and open spirit heart. Against all odds we became friends.

This elder is a reminder that “somebody cared”. I’ll forever cherish the visits. 

It may seem a small thing,

Giving time to the forgotten,

But, as having nothing teaches,

The smallest of things can make the biggest difference.

It takes a very strong Heart,

To not judge the imprisoned,

With all the pain they have caused,

To see the person behind the labels.

My suffering is justified,

For alone I am responsible,

The Lesson of Life I serve,

Is serving this Life Lesson.

I look forward to the time,

I spend with one of those who’ve remembered,

They are an important reminder,

That there is a Life worth Living.

Noah

To whom it may concern...

To walk and grown with paths so vile and forsaken to believe its existence,

Has an honor inside a truth that can shape a man's will beyond any touch of persistence, 

Long hours have given passage to select a few that carry themselves with hand over fists in fate, 

A heart so focused that a lifetime of solitude is known casting its call for us "38".

Days of lessons that only found ruled by non but our sacred love, 

Each memory formed a trust that has given society a feat that we are from above.

Conversations never spoken for as eyes see this manipulation transform its life from waste, 

Prisons and institutions are bled for we challenged this haunt to become our very taste. 

Dedicated to one another as we strive to overcome any walls that portray our failure to live,

My hands, my breath, my thoughts left are mine to hold as a certified hustler to give...

I was born on the rock, where life was rough.

I learned how to be wild and craved to be tough.

I started to steal when I was boy.

I soon come to realize it wasn’t the joy.

Then things got more serious cars were the game.

I was only a punk out to make a name.

I wish I had to listen to my AA NA volunteers who kept me sane.

But listen to my next verse and read it slow ok.

Because life is true from each and everyday.

Prison changes a boy as a uniform does a man,

And when you go to the big house you have to understand.

It’s a lonely place and the time it do go slow.

But if you keep a clear mind you’ll never have to go.

So remember what I told you my volunteer friends and remain forever free because right now the rock is where I’d like to be.

Darren

Voluntears are so cool. Coming into prisons to help their fellow men. A lot of us are lonely with nobody to write or phone. Most of our love ones have past on. A lot of us have been incarcerated that long. But the humble volunteer is really what I am so grateful for. As I get new tools and pass at my ticket exams. I call my volunteers almost like the are my family if you understand. And we chat and they tell me how well I am doing and to keep it up Darren you know what your doing. And over the years some of them pass on. It tears my heart up, but were simple human beings you understand. What would I have done if my volunteers wasn’t here. That’s just it. I don’t think I’d still be here.

So here I am now with teachings to share. I have tools for employment, and tools to help me solve issues in a nicer way. I’ll soon be out, free. And one day so excited to come back into be with you, as a VOLUNTEAR.

Darren

Thanks to our wardens here for all our volunteers and we need many more volunteers.

Voluntears

I wanna say thanxs

for all you do.

To give up your lives

to be with us too.

Men you don’t even know

who aren’t trusted and called criminals.

But isn’t it written

for us not to judge

but instead be kind

and give each other love,

we’re all the same

you and I.

We all have the same

blood, teeth and beautiful eyes.

Who knows next time you come,

some of us may die.

Yes my friend life is precious

like the sands of time.

And the blink of an eye.

But I want to say,

there has been days of loneliness,

when I felt no hope at all.

Sitting in segregation,

then under my door a little inspiration.

A letter from a Christian volunteer,

I wipe away my tear,

a smile to my face,

because on that day,

I am so grateful for voluntears

Darren

I’m walking down a lonely road, no one at my side

Put in a cell with strangers – a place to now abide.

They’ve done more harm to who we can believe ourselves to be,

They judge my crime, they weaponized, and try to just harm me.

The emptiness builds by hours – days and weeks and more.

My world collapsed, my friends all gone

I’m judged and sent away.

I struggle with the hopelessness,

As I face another day.

A light on the horizon – glowing, deep and true

A message comes, they search you out, they want to meet with you.

They’re full of kindness, graciousness – compassion and true heart,

Bringing hope through actions, and doing their small part.

Beyond the words that judge and paint the person that I am

They put aside the folder, make me believe I CAN

I CAN BE more then what I’ve done, I CAN BE once again

The person that they come to know, goodness still within.

I thank the volunteers who come to us, with no conceived beliefs

They bring encouragement and calm – a sign of great relief.

Their hearts are filled with willingness to build us up once more

To walk with us within the gates, and help us out the door.

Appreciation isn’t quite enough, and thanks just brings a tear

GRATITUDE for saving me, and all of us in here.

A parting word, encouragement – God bless our volunteers.

V

You always see us through the eyes

of kindness and compassion

your true devotion and your drive

from your warm hearts never go out of fashion

you help us look to the beyond

and give us the skills to see

you break down barriers, open the doors

you never question why, you just give us the key

you see us just the way we are

you look behind the mask

your genuine, you’re caring

you’re like a healing hand under the cast

you give our days meaning

when you’re here to show us the way

we will always and forever be grateful

we truly THANK YOU each and everyday….

Brian