This past year, we benefited from over 480 volunteers across our programs, events, and in our office.
April 19-25 is National Volunteer Week in Canada. And this week, we want to celebrate and spotlight just a few of the incredible individuals who so passionately give their time.
Meet Isaac!
This dedicated young man has been volunteering in our swim program in Vancouver for two years. For Isaac, it means early mornings every Saturday.
And luckily for us, it means that our young swimmers get to benefit from Isaac’s steady and passionate support.
Ahead of the first session of the Spring 2026 season, we asked Isaac what motivates him to give back.
What inspired you to volunteer with Canucks Autism Network?
As the eldest child in my extended family, I have always enjoyed interacting with and caring for my younger relatives. That made volunteering with children feel especially meaningful to me.
I was inspired to choose CAN because of my passion for sports, especially basketball and swimming. Since CAN offers programs that involve sports and recreation as well as social activities, I saw it as a meaningful way to connect something I love with giving back to the community.
Having a cousin on the spectrum also made this an easy decision, because I have always wanted to better understand how to support individuals like them and help create a more inclusive environment.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering?
What I enjoy most about volunteering with participants is seeing their growth over time. It is really meaningful to watch them become more confident and more willing to try new things. As their skills improve, I also feel more confident in my ability to support and help them. Seeing that progress makes the experience feel rewarding for both of us.
Can you share a favourite moment volunteering with CAN?
During a swimming program, the coach asked me to demonstrate different strokes to the whole group of participants. I focused on showing each movement clearly and repeating it as needed. Seeing multiple participants gain confidence and begin practicing the strokes successfully was incredibly rewarding.
What always brings a smile to my face during a program is seeing the participants smile. It shows that they are genuinely enjoying the classes and feeling engaged, which makes the experience even more meaningful for me.
What would you say to someone who feels nervous about getting involved?
Through my volunteer work, I have developed strengths in patience, adaptability, and communication. Working with participants alongside support workers has taught me how to respond to unexpected situations and better understand how to support each individual in a positive and meaningful way.
I would tell someone who wants to get involved that even though it may feel a little scary at first to take on responsibility, there is really nothing to worry about. The staff and volunteers at CAN are wonderful to work with, and they create a welcoming, supportive environment that makes it much easier to feel comfortable and get involved.
My advice to someone just starting out would be to stay patient and open-minded. Working with participants can feel challenging at first, especially if you have not had previous experience with autistic children. Every individual is different, so it takes time to understand how each participant communicates, responds, and engages.
We’re so grateful to have so many volunteers who share Isaac’s passion!
Learn more about volunteering. Join our team in green! Visit canucksautism.ca/volunteer.