Commitment to Community brings satisfaction and joy

For Derek McLachlin, Department of Biochemistry and Sarah Mattonen, Department of Medical Biophysics, giving back has brought joy and a great deal of personal satisfaction.

Giving back brings satisfaction and joy

For members of the Department of Biochemistry, volunteering their time in a local soup kitchen has become part of their culture. It was in early 2010 when Derek McLachlin, associate professor, along with Esther Rosenthal, then a student in fourth year, set up a volunteer program that invites all department members to become involved two days a week in two of the community's soup kitchens. To build capacity for the program, McLachlin set up a website that allows department members to sign up for shifts and understand their duties. The program has a great impact on the community and at the same time has enriched the camaraderie in the department. "Being involved in the project, helps to create ties amongst people within our department, making it feel like a warmer place to be," said McLachlin.

McLachlin derives great personal satisfaction from the volunteer work. "I feel pleasure and even joy, that I am able to do just a small thing to fulfill what I see as God's desire that we help others in need."

Building excitement for Science

For the past two years, Sarah Mattonen, PhD, candidate has been sharing her own love and enthusiasm for science with young children from across the community. A volunteer with Let's Talk Science, Mattonen began volunteering by demonstrating hands-on science activities to kids of all ages at community events. This past year, she had the opportunity to begin a teaching partnership with a science class at the Robarts School of the Deaf. "It was truly rewarding. I really enjoyed getting to know the children and seeing how their interest grew and how excited they were to do the experiments; it's the best part of my work," said Mattonen.

Mattonen hopes to continue volunteering throughout the rest of her PhD.