In his first year, he hesitated to volunteer, unsure if he could manage both his courses and an extracurricular placement. But in his second year, he decided to take the leap. Two years later, the Carleton Lodge long-term care facility has become more than just a volunteer spot — it’s an experience that’s shaped his university journey.
“I think that what made me comfortable with choosing the position of recreation programs assistant over others is that my mom is a personal support worker (PSW), and I’ve visited her at work before,” says Christopher. “I also know how hard PSWs work, so I kind of like the idea of helping make PSWs’ lives easier.”
At first, Christopher wasn’t sure how volunteering would fit into his already-packed schedule. But when he spoke to his supervisor, he learned that care homes are always in need of help, no matter how much time you can offer. The response he received was “8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day” — but it wasn’t meant literally. The message was clear: every hour you can give matters. Christopher figured out a plan to get in 30 hours during reading week so he could focus on his tough classes for the rest of the semester. “It was fantastic because I found my classes in that semester to be particularly difficult, so I didn’t have to pick and choose between studying or volunteering,” he explains. “So, all my volunteering was going to be done in reading week. And then I could concentrate on school the entire rest of the winter.”
Christopher quickly found his rhythm, learning how to be more detail-oriented by observing the PSWs around him. He didn’t wait to be asked — he just started helping wherever he could. “One thing that I noticed was that they have to put bibs on every single resident,” he says. “I saw both how they put them on and where they get them from. So, the next time I came in, I just knew where the bibs were. And by the time the PSWs showed up, they all had bibs.”
This wasn’t just a volunteer job for Christopher — it was a chance to give back to a field that had influenced his life. With a mom who works as a PSW, Christopher grew up witnessing the challenges of caregiving. “Knowing how hard my mom works and how understaffed they are generally helped me understand that they probably don’t have the time to tell me everything that they need help with, so I should just find ways that I can help them. Like with the bib thing and other stuff,” he adds.
What started as a volunteer role soon transformed into a deeply rewarding experience. As time passed, Christopher gained more independence and became a vital part of the team at Carleton Lodge. He no longer needed supervision to get the job done, and this self-sufficiency became a valuable skill he could take with him into the workforce.
“In the workforce, it’s similar to my volunteer role, where you’re expected to get the job done independently. This helps me handle tasks on my own and prepare for more responsibility.”
Christopher Bieniowski
For university students like Christopher, volunteering isn’t just about helping others — it’s about discovering your passions, developing skills and growing in ways you never expected. University life can be stressful, but volunteering offers the chance to step outside of yourself, connect with others and learn valuable lessons that will stay with you for years to come.
To learn more about long-term care and volunteer opportunities, visit the City of Ottawa’s long-term care page, and email the Community Engagement team at [email protected].