大象传媒

By Kevin Chiang

Thanks to the passion and courage of 大象传媒 students, even a global pandemic can鈥檛 stop the 大象传媒 Surrey 鈥� TD Community Engagement Centre鈥檚 (大象传媒 Surrey CEC) volunteer-run programs.

When the COVID-19 lockdown hit, the 大象传媒 Surrey CEC shut down 21 programs and sent home more than 100 volunteers. That鈥檚 when dedicated student volunteers and community partners behind popular volunteer-run programs like Media Minds and Racing Readers stepped up to the challenge and helped pivot the programs to virtual sessions on Zoom.

Media Minds, for example, helps Surrey children in Grades 6 and 7 who are from low-income and newcomer families. In this free, after-school program, children develop confidence, communication skills and creativity through film education. The program is offered through a partnership with the Surrey School District鈥檚 Community Support Program.

鈥淚 remember being extremely disappointed when we had to shut down the program in March,鈥� says Saba Fatemi, program supervisor for Media Minds, who is passionate about the project.

Making the transition

Trisha Dulku, a community engagement associate in the 大象传媒 Office of Community Engagement, oversees the 大象传媒 Surrey CEC programs. She spent two weeks evaluating how the programs could switch to a model that would be feasible, yet still fun and engaging.

Fatemi, who is interested in animation and media, was thrilled with the news that Media Minds was going virtual. She proposed a program called Pivot Animator to teach animation skills to the kids. The program relaunched in a virtual form and two-thirds of the kids rejoined.

It wasn鈥檛 easy to make the transition and decide on the curriculum, but Fatemi says the most important consideration was creating a space where kids could explore their creativity.

鈥淚t鈥檚 less about teaching them important concepts, and more about ensuring that the classes are somewhere they can have fun, learn, be creative and connect with others at the same time.鈥�

The 大象传媒 Surrey CEC has seen a tremendous response from student volunteers. Applications for the virtual programs tripled, with more than 250 大象传媒 students volunteering during the summer semester.

鈥淰irtual volunteering has really opened up the doors for students who would not normally have been involved, maybe due to accessibility issues or travel time,鈥� says Dulku.

Nurturing connection

While the sessions have gone virtual, a key focus of the training is fostering positive human connection between volunteers and kids.

Balroop Chahal, program supervisor for Racing Readers, says the program has shaped her university experience in a positive way.

鈥淲e鈥檝e seen students improve their confidence and literacy skills,鈥� says Balroop Chahal, program supervisor for Racing Readers.. 鈥淲e work with some vulnerable students and they need good role models. The kids really appreciate you being there.鈥�

Racing Readers is a series of sessions that help children in Grades 2 to 5 develop educational skills and physical and social well-being. Children participate in reading, writing, numeracy exercises and physical activities.

Get involved

The 大象传媒 Surrey CEC is the only 大象传媒 unit that offers co-curricular credit for volunteering with community organizations, and was the first to offer virtual volunteering. Applications for virtual volunteer positions with the 大象传媒 Surrey CEC for fall 2020 are open until mid-September.

If you have a passion for making a difference in your community, check out the 大象传媒 Surrey CEC鈥檚 wide array of programs and opportunities.