Volunteer Profile

Three Generations of Givers



Left to righ: Joan Wakeling, Pam Salvador and Alyse Payne connect three generations of volunteer work at the agency.


A grandmother, her daughter and two granddaughters all volunteer their time to FACS-Elgin - each one helping to make the difference in the life of a child.

Joan Wakeling started the family link with the Agency in 1982.

"The Agency provides such an invaluable service to the community and it's a pleasure to be involved with them," she said. "I suppose my enthusiasm has spread to my daughter and granddaughters as they’re all volunteers now."

Joan started her connection with the Agency as a member of the Board of Directors.

"For six years I sat on the board - leading up to the time when the existing facility was being built," she said. "It was an exciting time."

Joan said she thoroughly enjoyed her time at the Agency while serving on the Board and decided to stay involved when her term was finished.

In 1998, Joan discovered there was a need for volunteer drivers and thought she could help.

"After I retired I had the time to do more volunteer work and decided to become a volunteer driver for the Agency. It's worked out well, as I am still doing it,” she said. “I really enjoy the close contact with children and that I am able to bring them together with their parents."

Joan said being a volunteer driver enables her to provide some stability in the lives of children in care, which is something they are often lacking.

"These children look forward to seeing me as much as I look forward to seeing them. They know they can count on me to be there for them, and share a few laughs and some good times along the way," she said. "We look forward to our visits in the car just like the kids look forward to visiting their parents. It's really a nice experience to be a part of."

Joan said she continually gains immense satisfaction from being a volunteer with FACS-Elgin because she never feels like she is being taken for granted.

"It's a wonderful feeling the way staff show their appreciation. They always have kind words for the volunteers and show such support," she said. "It's an Agency that really shows they value their volunteers and that's important. It's nice to be needed and valued."

Joan said many staff members have been there since she started in 1982.

"They're a real group of dedicated workers that you can always count on. I know the volunteers feel that just as much as the children they help do," she said. "And as far as the children go, I haven't encountered one that I wouldn't drive again. Each one is special and I look forward to my time with them."

Joan drives kids to appointments and visits approximately four times every week, sometimes more depending on the availability of drivers. Over the years, Joan has wracked up thousands of kilometers and countless hours but said every kilometer and every minute has been worth it.

"We really need more volunteer drivers,” she said. "And if people are looking for a quality way to spend some time they should definitely consider becoming a volunteer driver. It has certainly brought me a great deal of joy."

Joan said volunteering has given her life greater purpose, especially since retirement. But volunteering can be rewarding at any age - just ask Joan’s daughter and granddaughters.


Pam Salvador, Joan's daughter, started at the Agency as a volunteer and has since joined the staff.

For the past year, Pam has worked as the Transportation and Supervised Access Co-ordinator with FACS-Elgin.

"It's an excellent job," she said. "It keeps me busy, continually talking to and meeting such a wide range of people. It's fascinating and I really enjoy every minute of it."

Pam says one of the many job benefits is the opportunity to meet different personalities within the course of a day, people that represent a broad spectrum of society.

"I co-ordinate the work of our 22 volunteer drivers," she said. "We have also partnered with the West Elgin Transportation Network and their drivers to deal with transportation issues in the west end of the county. These volunteers are wonderful, donating their time and energy for the children in our care."

Pam has a true appreciation for volunteers, as she started out as one herself.

"I started out as a volunteer two years ago," Pam said. "That was for about five months. After that, I did some casual work, filing and helping out on the phones. Basically my volunteer work turned into a job, which is a very gratifying way of combining your interests with an employment opportunity."

Given Pam's background with FACS-Elgin over the last two years, there is no question that her work is a genuine labour of love.

Having her grandmother and aunt as such supporters of the Agency, it's not surprising 16-year-old Alyse Payne has joined the ranks.

Alyse started volunteering with the Moms and Tots program at FACS-Elgin earlier this summer, to accumulate mandatory volunteer hours required to graduate. But since then, her purpose has shifted.

"I look after the babies while their moms are being taught parenting skills," she said. "I get to feed them, rock them to sleep and play with them. It's a lot of fun and I am going to continue with it even after I get all the volunteer hours I need."

Alyse said volunteering makes her feel good - like she is making a difference in her community.

"I really like the time I spend with the babies," she said. "And I can tell how much I am appreciated. It's cool."

17-year-old Nadia Salvador, Pam's daughter, also volunteers with the Moms and Tots program.