Baycrest

Baycrest shaped who I am today by Venus Sayed F ifteen years ago, at the age of 15, I applied to Baycrest to complete my requisite 40 hours of community service. What I thought would last only one summer grew into a 15-year relationship filled with lasting memories and unparalleled experiences. I began as a youth volunteer working at Sunday concerts and bingo nights. During my first few weeks, I met two residents, Pearl and Mala, who became dear friends. Pearl did not speak but smiled endlessly and would hold my hand as she swayed her head to Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen every Sunday. Mala would come to bingo and ask me to save her a seat. Afterward, we would sit in the cafeteria and talk. She told me about the little brother she lost in the Holocaust but whose laugh she could still remember. My summers at Baycrest turned into a full-year volunteer commitment. Over time, I joined the Youth Council and later became co-president. I found myself returning to Baycrest over many years, spending time in the Therapeutic Recreation Department as an intern, and later, in the Brain Health Clinics as a university student in Dr. Deirdre Dawson's research lab. I remember telling Mala at one of the bingo nights that I was thinking of applying to law school. Her eyes teared up as she encouraged me to always pursue justice. My younger brothers, Nadim and Nawid, followed in my footsteps and volunteered at Baycrest over many years. Nadim completed an Engineering Degree at the University of Toronto and works for the United Nations in New York. Nawid attended the Ivey School of Business at Western University and is starting medical school at Queen's University in the fall. I attended Osgoode Hall Law School and am in my sixth year of practice as a litigator. I begin my Masters of Law studies in the fall. My time at Baycrest has shaped the person I am today. I met staff and volunteers who are dear friends today and have been supportive and helpful at every stage of my career and education. I met residents and patients, some of whom were Holocaust survivors, who taught me the power of positivity and love. I think of them often. Discussion groups benefit brain health D iscussion groups led by passionate volunteers add value to Baycrest residents' daily lives. If you have a passion, a hobby or an area of expertise (or are willing to research one), we can train you to lead discussions and engage with residents as part of the Baycrest Learning Institute Speakers Series (BLISS). A wide variety of topics are welcome. Here are some comments from discussion leaders: "Giving a presentation to 30 or more residents for the first time in my life gave me a much greater reward than I could have ever imagined." "This was a great opportunity to learn about teaching small groups, and in particular, teaching residents. I am a life-long learner and teacher, and I love contributing in a meaningful way." To learn more about BLISS, please contact Volunteer Services at 416-785-2500, ext. 2572 or email: volunteer@baycrest.org. 9 Participating in the discussion group is meaningful for all Venus Sayed and her family in May 2017

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