Verna Humphries is a shining beacon within the Community Living movement, helping countless adults with intellectual challenges live better lives through her years of volunteer work.
The Fenelon Falls resident has served as a volunteer with the Community Living Trent Highlands (formerly Community Living Kawartha Lakes) since 1988, spending the last 25 years helping in the literacy/math program at the Fenelon Falls-based Northern Learning Centre — a satellite program of Community Living Trent Highlands.
What keeps her volunteering? Humphries said seeing adults with developmental disabilities succeed never gets old.
“It’s very interesting and you get more than you give. If you see a little success in what they’ve done it’s just amazing,” said Humphries.
Humphries said she initially got involved within Community Living as a way to help her son Robert, who has a developmental disability, to meet new people and gain new skills.
“I have an intellectually challenged son and I thought if I helped he would be able to do something too,” explained Humphries.
Humphries said volunteering has always been rewarding for her. She said the small victories experienced by some in her group are sources of joy for her.
“I find it very rewarding. And if you go volunteer you can see what the children are doing, or the adults. We have people in our group they have to be from their 20s up to 80s. One man learned how to write his name; I thought that would be important for him. And, oh, he was so thrilled to be able to write his name instead of print,” said Humphries.
In 2017, Humphries was recognized for her 20 years of volunteerism by being named the recipient of two major awards. She was the recipient of the Governor General Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers that year.
She also received Barbara McArthur Memorial Award of Distinction at the City of Kawartha Lakes annual Accessibility Awareness Recognition Awards in 2017.
Humphries said the group dynamics at the Northern Learning Centre has always been one of helping one another.
“If there is something they can’t do, they all participate and help each other. You don’t get that in the average day for the average person. Some of the people couldn’t be bothered, but our people they’re helping each other. That’s important to them to be part of a group,” she said.
To learn more about her journey, click the link below.
