During National Volunteer Week (April 19–25), we will be shining the spotlight on a few of Dans la rue’s 129 dedicated, hard-working volunteers. Join us throughout the week as we take a closer look at the invaluable role these individuals play.
When you think of volunteering at Dans la rue, you probably picture people aboard the Van, in the cafeteria or at the Day Centre. You might be less inclined to imagine the quiet heroes in our office, sorting through piles of documents and mailing out tax receipts. And yet, without their essential contributions, our operations would come to a standstill. This is where Aïssata has been making a difference since 2021.
A young woman with a mature perspective
Aïssata is 18 and in the last term of the justice and society program at the Cégep de Maisonneuve. She loves to dance, paint and read. Her vision for the next steps in her career is clear: she will study law in the combined bachelor’s and master’s program at the Université de Sherbrooke with the goal of eventually becoming a prosecutor.
It’s not the prestige or the high-profile cases that have drawn her to this profession — it’s the ability to have a positive impact on the world around her.
Aïssata already knows that serving the public interest is the path she wants to follow.
“I realized I wasn’t particularly interested in representing private clients. My true passion lies in public law, in working for the community, where it can really change lives.”
Dans la rue: A familiar presence, a personal commitment
Dans la rue has been part of Aïssata’s life for many years. Her mother has worked here for as long as she can remember. As a child, she would sometimes come into the office with her. So the organization has always been there in the background, even before she herself became actively involved.
In 2021, after the pandemic began, everything changed. Like many young people, Aïssata found herself cut off from most of her activities and with far too much time at home. It left her wanting to feel more useful. Her mother encouraged her to volunteer. Aïssata sent an email to Dans la rue and, a few days later, she was helping out with the administration.
Administrative volunteer work: Essential yet invisible
Her first job was stuffing tax receipts into envelopes. It may be a simple task, but it is incredibly important, especially at busy times of the year like the holidays.
“If I can make life easier for the staff and get receipts out to donors more quickly, I’m happy to pitch in.”
Over time, Aïssata was given additional responsibilities. She was asked to do data entry, provide assistance during events and greet guests at the holiday party. With each new task, she became more familiar with how Dans la rue operates and learned more about the extensive network supporting its mission.
Learning and growing
By helping out for an hour or two a week, Aïssata has not only acquired vital administrative skills but also developed her self-confidence.
“When I started, I thought I’d be doing pretty much the same thing all the time. But little by little, I was asked to take on other responsibilities.”
The experience has opened doors for her, too: her volunteer work at Dans la rue played a key role in her landing a job as an on-call administrative assistant at the Day Centre — concrete proof that community engagement can have its rewards.
Values rooted in acceptance and empathy
Aïssata’s mother began cultivating her social awareness at an early age. In high school, she watched as some of her fellow students went through difficult challenges, witnessing both the support and the stigma that can arise in these situations. She saw volunteering as a powerful way of creating more compassionate communities.
“You may not be able to fix everything, but if you can build a circle of support around someone, it can make a big difference.”
An experience that is shaping her future
Today, Aïssata considers her involvement with Dans la rue one of the most meaningful experiences of her life. It has introduced her to a kind, supportive and deeply caring working environment — nothing at all like the clichés that are sometimes associated with homelessness.
She won’t have a lot of time to volunteer as she works toward her law degree in the coming years, but she hopes to continue contributing in some way — even if she has to rearrange her schedule to make it happen.
Quietly doing her part
Every week, by filing documents and preparing receipts, Aïssata has lent a helping hand to the administrative team and kept Dans la rue running smoothly — which ultimately benefits the youth served by the organization.
Her involvement is a reminder that volunteering doesn’t have to be visible to have a tangible impact.
Thank you, Aïssata, for your commitment and your invaluable work behind the scenes.
