Lucia Camelo volunteers at the Marotta Family Hospital gift shop, where she helps customers and gives back to the community that welcomed her.
In times of uncertainty, the smallest acts of kindness can have the greatest impact.
At Niagara Health, volunteer Lucia Camelo, a refugee from Colombia, is doing just that — one smile and gesture at a time.
Arriving in Canada with her youngest son, Camelo found herself starting anew in a place where the language and culture were unfamiliar. Instead of letting fear hold her back, she embraced the opportunity to give back to the community that welcomed her with open arms. Through volunteering at Niagara Health, she has not only found a sense of belonging but is also improving her English skills and using her life experience to support others in need.
Before arriving in Canada, Camelo had a varied career in Colombia, working as a museum coordinator and coaching sales teams. She also worked as a massage therapist and has certifications in neurolinguistics and customer service.
But leaving behind her two older children and her life in Colombia meant starting over from scratch.
“I didn’t choose Canada; it chose me,” Camelo says. “Someone helped me and my son find a new home here. I am so grateful for this country.”
When Camelo arrived in Canada, she knew that integrating into a new culture would take time. She needed to improve her English and find ways to connect with people in her new community.
“I wanted to give back to the community that had welcomed me, and I needed to learn English,” she says. “Volunteering was a way to do both.”
Camelo began her volunteer work at the Marotta Family Hospital by visiting patients. She offered water, newspapers and a kind word to those who were alone. These small gestures made a big difference in the lives of the patients she met, especially those who didn’t have loved ones visiting them.
“Some people just need a little love, a smile or someone to talk to,” she says. “I felt that I could bring that.”
When the COVID-19 pandemic paused her patient visits, Camelo took a break from volunteering. However, when the hospital reopened its volunteer program, she saw an opportunity to shift to a role that matched her background in sales and customer service: the gift shop.
“I’ve always enjoyed working with people and helping them. This was the perfect fit for me.”
In the gift shop at the Marotta Family Hospital, Camelo not only helps customers with their shopping but also makes handmade cancer caps for patients. The caps have become an essential part of the shop’s offerings, and Camelo takes pride in knowing that they bring comfort to others.
Her time at the hospital has also played an important role in improving her English.
Camelo started studying the language soon after arriving in Canada and her confidence has grown with each volunteer shift.
“When I started volunteering, I was very nervous because my English wasn’t great,” she says. “Now, I feel more confident. The staff at the hospital has been so helpful and I’ve learned so much from them.”
In addition to her personal growth, Camelo has found a strong sense of belonging in the hospital’s volunteer community.
“The staff and other volunteers here make me feel like I belong,” she says. “They welcomed me with open arms, and that meant so much.”
Camelo’s experience in the gift shop has also given her a deeper connection to the hospital. She is involved in every step of the process, from selecting merchandise to helping display and sell items. The funds raised support the hospital and its services, which makes her feel even more proud of her role.
“It’s so rewarding to know that the money we raise helps the hospital and the patients,” Camelo says. “It’s more than just volunteering. It’s about being part of something that makes a difference in people’s lives.”
Through her journey, Camelo has learned that volunteering at Niagara Health is not just an opportunity to serve, but also an opportunity to grow — both personally and professionally.
For anyone considering volunteering at the hospital, Camelo has a simple message: “If you want to make a difference and feel like you belong, this is the place.”
Visit Volunteer Resources to learn more or apply for volunteer opportunities.
