Ava Katz is a second-year UBC Kin student who was profiled in March 2020 as a Kin Community Champion. The Kin Community Champions initiative recognizes and celebrates the students, staff, faculty and alumni who are making a difference in their communities during the Covid-19 pandemic. People whose service to others and acts of support show strength of character and the KIN values of compassion and care for the greater good.
We recently caught up with Ava to see how she has been faring since we last spoke and to learn how her volunteer delivery service for the elderly is going.
“Back in April when I began volunteering to help seniors get groceries and run essential errands, I had no idea, like everyone else, how long this pandemic would last and how serious it would become. I thought my post on Facebook would keep me busy for a few weeks as people worked out how they would navigate the stores. Throughout the summer months, I continued to volunteer by delivering meals to a senior’s residential home a couple of times a week, along with trying to complete 2 Science courses.
The summer felt somewhat easier and more ‘normal’ as we were able to spend more time outdoors and could socially distance ourselves. When September came, I felt disheartened that I would not be going back to campus for classes or see my friends. Although I can’t necessarily complain about doing a class in my pyjamas, it is admittedly hard to stay motivated, especially with winter coming. Along with my volunteering work and 5 KIN courses, I have taken up tutoring and volunteering with a mentorship program that works with young children. Although it’s hectic, I thoroughly enjoy my busy schedule and find it helps to keep me stay positive.
I consider myself fortunate not to have lost anyone to the virus and not see any close friends become sick. Compared to so many people who have suffered and sacrificed, I understand how very lucky my family and I have been. The ‘New Norm’ has us all trying to adapt as best we can.
Eight months later, it seems little and much has changed. As cases have started to spike again, it feels like we are approaching similar lockdown conditions to last March, which is the last thing we all want to hear. Yet we’ve learned many things about the virus and human behaviour and even about ourselves. Hopefully down the road, we can look back at all this craziness and even though many memories will be tough, there will be good ones too.“
