When Calvin first arrived in Canada, he struggled to meet new friends and gain work experience. His search for opportunities to build skills and interact with his community led him to ReStore, where he began volunteering in January 2024. Although he started at our North location, he quickly noticed the need for support at ReStore West and volunteered to split his time between the two.
Since then, Calvin has become an invaluable member of our team. Although he always helps out in any way he can, Calvin particularly enjoys assisting customers. With a warm greeting and a friendly smile, he helps customers find the items they are searching for. He also supports loading and unloading donations, pricing and packaging items, and maintaining store cleanliness and safety.
Calvin enjoys volunteering at ReStore because he likes to give back to his community. He shares Habitat Edmonton’s values of supporting families in need and feels proud to contribute to an organization that makes such a positive impact. ReStore has also taught him a number of skills in retail work and warehouse management, increasing his confidence and independence.
What Calvin loves most about volunteering at ReStore is the sense of community he’s found. Other volunteers, homeowners, and staff at ReStore have all been kind and supportive, leaving a lasting impression on him. Their support was especially meaningful when Calvin faced a personal loss, and the entire ReStore team offered hugs, encouragement, and support.
Next time you stop by ReStore North or West, keep an eye out for Calvin. His bright smile and friendliness is hard to miss! If you’d like to volunteer at ReStore like Calvin, learn more here.