Hello! My name is Amy and I just completed my first year at the University of British Columbia. This year I was able to take Sociology 100, which is taught by Dr. Kerry Greer. This class requires you to take a discussion section that meets once a week, but Dr. Greer gave us the option of doing Trek instead, where you volunteer once a week and go to a discussion once a month. Trek appealed to me because I have to do discussion sections in almost every one of my other classes, so I thought it would be interesting to switch things up.
The process of signing up for Trek was very easy, and there are lots of options to choose from. I was able to volunteer at my first choice, the Saint James Music Academy. This is an after school program located in the Downtown Eastside, which teaches elementary school children how to play musical instruments, sing in choir, dance, and learn music theory. Many of these kids wouldn’t have this opportunity if it were not for the Saint James Music Academy. As a cellist, I have volunteered in orchestras before, so this placement was perfect for me.
Volunteering at SMJA was extremely rewarding, as I was able to make connections with the kids, who all have such different backgrounds and stories. Every week the kids warmed up to me more and more. Building relationships with the staff and the kids was rewarding and I was able to learn about the Downtown Eastside while at my placement. Trek forced me to go off campus, and being on the bus allowed me to become much more familiar with Vancouver.
One moment that struck me was at my orientation when I was first starting out. The woman who was showing us around said that if we have to miss a week we have to let them know very far in advance so the students can prepare. She said that these kids need stability in their lives and need to know that we are coming every week so they can build trust, because many of them have limited stability with people in their lives outside of music school. The SJMA provides a space where the kids can socialize and learn, while also giving them the stability and trust they need. Trek taught me about the Downtown Eastside and the inequality in Vancouver. Many of these kids face hardships and don’t get the same opportunities we do. Trek has exposed me to these inequalities, something I believe everyone living in Vancouver should be aware of. It’s important that we are aware of these problems, because without awareness, no change will happen.
I highly recommend Trek. You not only get volunteering experience, but it forces you to get off campus and learn about Vancouver. Volunteering at Trek placements allows you to apply the knowledge you learn in Sociology 100 to the real world. As an international student, I found Trek very rewarding as it allowed me to become more familiar with the city in addition to learning the inequalities and the stereotypes that go along with the Downtown Eastside.