TD in the Community: Cynthia's Volunteer Story
Jenn Dumaran
As a nonprofit and primarily volunteer led organization, the Timeraiser program would not be possible without the support of our sponsors. TD Canada has supported Timeraiser since 2006. Over the past 11 years TD has helped Timeraiser invest over $1 million in the careers of emerging artists and helped to facilitate more than 156,000 volunteer hours to local nonprofit organizations. Working with TD we’ve discovered that giving back to the community is part of their cultural DNA. Beyond their contributions as a company, TD employees are also inspiring us daily with their volunteer efforts. Here’s Cynthia Amoah’s volunteer story
Cynthia Amoah on the cover of TD's 2015 Corporate Responsibility Snapshot Report
Timeraiser: What prompted you to get involved in the community?
Cynthia: The community is where I live; where we all live and connect our lives. My natural compassion for people and being of service has always been a part of my career, so I make sure to nurture it as much as I can as it helps to keep me humble. For my most recent volunteer work at Junior Achievement, I was inspired by the work that TD does in the community and it prompted me to get involved with some existing programming.
TR: How has volunteering/involvement impacted you?
CA: Out of the various volunteering that I have been doing I have found a passion in working with children and financial literacy. It's extended my comfort zone as far as public speaking goes- I am now able to get in front of a room and deliver material and have tough conversations about financial choices and how they can affect our lives. Volunteerism has taught me how to be confident in myself, and in whatever task is asked of me- Especially when it comes to youth and financial Literacy!
TR: How has TD supported your volunteer efforts?
CA: TD provided me with inspiration to get involved with financial literacy as they have a strong relationship with Junior Achievement and ABC Life Literacy Canada. I have had tremendous support from my leadership team and they enable me to go out in the community to fulfill my volunteer commitments even if it's during work hours. The TD Volunteer Network – our online portal for all things volunteering- has made it easy to find opportunities that suit my schedule, interests, and skillset.
I will be getting the TD Volunteer Grant this year for the first time ($500 that goes to the charity I volunteer with) and it feels good to know that TD supports and recognizes the work I am doing in my community. I was featured on the front cover of our Corporate Responsibility Snapshot Report for 2015 and on TD's intranet site alongside my teammates labeled "The Everyday Hero"! It feels good to be recognized!
TR: What advice would you give a first-time Timeraiser winner trying to find the right volunteer opportunity?
CA: Your life is not your own, so knowing that you have so much of yourself to give is truly the birth right of humanity.
You are impactful, so find an initiative that will give you more depth in your life rather than just what looks good on a resume.
Make sure you're ready to dedicate the time to your cause. This can be made easier by finding something that's truly important to you so that you enjoy the volunteer work you're doing.
Find something that allows you to do work that matters to you that you may not have the opportunity to do in your current role/life that will create a sense of purpose and satisfaction.