For many people, volunteering begins with a desire to give back. For Hamzat Junaid, it began with curiosity — a desire to better understand how communities come together to address challenges and create meaningful change.
Hamzat is a Nigerian Muslim currently living in Canada. While searching for volunteer opportunities, he discovered ActionDignity and connected with the organization’s mission to advance equity and justice through transformational change.
“I was impressed by the organization’s mission and was grateful when they accepted me as a volunteer,” Hamzat shared. “I wanted to be part of an organization that is making a meaningful difference in the lives of newcomers, racialized communities, and Canadians facing various challenges.”
Discovering the Power of Community-Based Change
Hamzat joined ActionDignity as a volunteer with the goal of gaining firsthand experience of how community organizations work to create positive change. Over the past six months, he has supported ActionDignity’s events and operations in a variety of ways, including event setup and cleanup, providing general event support, assisting with data entry, and completing administrative tasks.
Through these experiences, Hamzat has gained a deeper understanding of the social issues affecting communities and the importance of approaches that center community voices.
“One of my main reasons for volunteering was to better understand how organizations like ActionDignity work to create positive change,” he explained. “Through my experience, I have learned about many social issues and gained a deeper understanding of the challenges communities face beyond what is visible on the surface.”
Building Connections and Expanding Perspectives
For Hamzat, volunteering has been more than completing tasks — it has been an opportunity to connect with people, learn from their experiences, and broaden his understanding of community issues.
One of his most memorable experiences has been meeting Towani, a fellow member of the ActionDignity community. Through their conversations and collaboration, Hamzat gained new perspectives on social change and the importance of working together.
“Through our conversations and working together, she helped broaden my perspective and changed the way I think about community issues and social change,” he shared.
This experience reflects the value of bringing people from different backgrounds together. Every interaction, conversation, and shared experience has the potential to challenge assumptions and inspire new ways of thinking.
Small Contributions, Lasting Impact
Although volunteer roles may sometimes seem like small contributions, Hamzat believes that each person’s involvement helps build stronger communities.
“I believe that the discussions, feedback, and contributions made by volunteers can help shape decisions that improve our communities,” he said. “While change often takes time, I believe the work ActionDignity is doing today will contribute to a better future for everyone over the coming years.”
At ActionDignity, volunteers play an important role in supporting community initiatives, creating welcoming spaces, and strengthening the collective efforts needed to advance equity and inclusion.
Looking Toward a More Inclusive Future
Looking ahead, Hamzat hopes ActionDignity continues to grow and reach even more people across Canada.
“I want to see the organization continue empowering communities, supporting newcomers, and creating opportunities for people from all backgrounds to thrive,” he shared. “I believe its work will continue making a lasting positive impact across Canada.”
For Hamzat, volunteering has been a journey of learning, connection, and contribution. His story reminds us that creating change is a collective effort — one built through the time, experiences, and voices of community members.
Whether through volunteering, sharing knowledge, or participating in community conversations, everyone has a role to play in building a more equitable future.