Volunteer Spotlight: Max, Auxiliary Youth Scholarship Recipient 2022

JBH volunteers are important members of our care team. They provide a friendly face to our patients, families and staff and most importantly, they are incredibly dedicated in their support of creating a positive experience.

Each year a youth volunteer entering Post-Secondary Education is selected as the recipient of a $1,500 scholarship, in recognition of their impactful contribution to JBH.

This year’s recipient is Max. We asked Max to share his reflections on volunteering at JBH and how he makes a difference.

Tell us about your volunteer experience at JBH:

I've been volunteering at Joseph Brant since June of 2018, when I was just finishing my first year of High School. Before COVID-19, I volunteered for 245 hours at the Information Desk for a few years, which was an enriching and fulfilling way to give back to my community.

Now that volunteer programs are returning I've decided to begin volunteering in the HELP program, which assists elderly patients suffering from hospital-caused delirium. So far I've had a very positive experience interacting with patients, and hope to continue with this program for years to come. 

What’s important to you when volunteering?

I try my best to live JBH’s values of the CARE+ Commitment (Compassion. Accountable. Respect. Excellence. Service) to the utmost of my abilities during my time volunteering at the information/escort desks. I have demonstrated compassion while volunteering. While escorting a patient out of the hospital, I make sure that patients are as comfortable as possible and see to it that they make it to their ride happy and satisfied with my service. I also chat with them about their time in the hospital and listen to their stories if they had any to tell.

What are your post-secondary school plans?

 I plan to go on to post-secondary education at McMaster University. One day I hope to go into the field of psychology as a cognitive behavioural therapist, or otherwise a different career in psychology.  I'm very grateful to receive the Joseph Brant Hospital auxiliary youth scholarship award this year! This scholarship will be an incredible help in allowing me to pursue an education in the field of psychology this fall.

What would you share with a youth interested in volunteering at JBH?

 I have made many fond memories and gained useful experiences thanks to JBH’s volunteer program. I'd definitely recommend volunteering at Joseph Brant to anyone who wants to contribute in a very worthwhile way, and in an uplifting environment. 

Thank you, Max for your contribution to JBH. Congratulations on being this year’s Auxiliary Youth Scholarship Winner.