Hollefreund (front) with volunteer Meredith Bingham in the CFUV music library
By Maria Lironi
Kate Hollefreund, volunteer coordinator at UVic’s student radio station, CFUV, is being honoured by Volunteer Victoria with a certificate of recognition of excellence in volunteer management.
“This award is given to coordinators of volunteers who promote inclusively, diversity, innovation and openness,” says Lori Elder, Volunteer Victoria’s public relations and marketing coordinator. “Kate is winning it because she is very welcoming to volunteers who need a little extra support or have special challenges.”
According to the award citation, Hollefreund’s “ongoing commitment to fostering the integration of volunteers with diverse needs and abilities has resulted in extremely positive outcomes for clients of both Access and Youth Connections. Our volunteers have worked alongside of university students in a variety of capacities resulting in skill development and increased self esteem. CFUV is committed to honoring and promoting diversity, and Kate plays a fundamental role in actualizing this philosophy—involving people of various ages, abilities and needs. She has been open to having job support staff working alongside of clients with complex learning issues providing an enriching work experience situation.”
CFUV has engaged people with disabilities since the station first started in 1984.
“We’ve had some volunteers who have been here ten years,” says Hollefreund. “They make a great contribution to the station. In fact, they’re among the best volunteers I have—they’re meticulous, engaged and always punctual. As well, being at CFUV gives them the skills, job confidence and references they need to go on to paid work at other locations.”
Currently, the station has about 15 regular volunteers with disabilities; some with autism, Down syndrome, mental health issues, cerebral palsy, visual impairment and developmental disabilities. They range in age from high school students to people in their 50s. On average they work one or two hours a week. For more information visit http://cfuv.uvic.ca/ or www.volunteervictoria.bc.ca/.
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