Student Volunteers at CHOICE South Restorative Connect With Clients
The student volunteer program at CHOICE South Restorative provides an excellent opportunity for students to gain experience in a variety of rehabilitation fields. Georgia Thom, a current CHOICE South volunteer and student in the University of Alberta’s Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology program, had a personal connection to CapitalCare’s CHOICE program and decided to explore volunteering at the program.
“My Grandma was in a CHOICE program at a different location. I knew I wanted to go into a health care field, and I wanted something that matched my academic interests and goals, so I decided to apply to volunteer at CHOICE South just out of interest,” said Georgia.
As a CHOICE South volunteer, Georgia has been involved with the physiotherapy team and regularly assists with fitness classes. She’s particularly enjoyed connecting with CHOICE South clients on a weekly basis.
“Since I see the same clients each week in fitness classes, I have been able to get to know them well, and I’m comfortable talking and joking around with them.”
This year’s National Volunteer Week runs from Sunday, April 19 to Saturday, April 25, and the theme focuses on igniting volunteerism to celebrate the power of civic participation, rebuilding volunteer infrastructure and sharing volunteer stories. Georgia has been grateful to learn from her experiences as a volunteer and encourages others to take advantage of the opportunity.
“The biggest lesson I have learned from volunteering so far is just how important the connections you make are. Building relationships with the patients and staff has made the experience much more enjoyable and feel even more worthwhile. I think people may be hesitant to get into volunteering because they don’t know where to start. But with CHOICE South, the process to become a volunteer was very simple, and I’ve enjoyed interacting with so many different kinds of people.”
National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to celebrate the volunteers like Georgia who make CapitalCare a vibrant, engaged community. Sherri Wright, the Care Manager and Volunteer Coordinator at CHOICE South Restorative has been instrumental in building the centre’s volunteer program, and she’s grateful for the contributions of volunteers like Georgia to the Centre’s community.
“Georgia may be new to the volunteer program, but her consistency and eagerness to learn have made her a valued member of the CHOICE South community,” said Sherri. “Her enthusiasm, commitment, support and her smile are truly appreciated by both staff and clients.”
CHOICE South Restorative introduced their volunteering program in 2025, but they’ve already seen a lot of growth.
“Over the past year, we’ve been intentional about strengthening and growing the volunteer program at CHOICE South,” said Sherri. “It’s been rewarding to see how volunteers have become more integrated into daily programming and how their involvement supports meaningful connections and person‑centred care for our clients during their rehabilitation journey. Volunteers play such an important role in helping us create a welcoming, supportive environment where clients feel engaged, respected and encouraged.”
Volunteers dedicated nearly 54,000 hours of their time in 2025 to contribute to CapitalCare’s vibrant and engaged community. Volunteers help CapitalCare residents, clients and families enjoy the activities they love. If you’re interested in volunteering at CapitalCare, visit the volunteer page to learn more.
“We continue to have meaningful volunteer opportunities at CHOICE South for individuals who are interested in rehabilitation, healthcare, or working with older adults,” said Sherri. “Volunteers bring energy, connection, and support that truly enhances the client experience where people care for people.”
For more information about CHOICE South’s volunteer program, contact Sherri Wright directly at Sherri.Wright@capitalcare.net.