Volunteers are essential to the culture and capacity of KW Habilitation. It’s National Volunteer Week and we are proud to recognize the people who give their time, energy, and care to support a community where everyone belongs. In 2024 alone, volunteers contributed 4,819 hours, helping expand what is possible across our organization.
This week, we are sharing stories from three long term volunteers whose involvement helps bring our spaces to life. Today, we are excited to celebrate Dianne Foreman.
A Friendly Face at the Welcome Desk
If you have visited KW Habilitation’s main building, there is a good chance you have been greeted by Dianne at the welcome desk. Dianne joined our volunteer team in January of 2016 after retiring from a 38 year career at the University of Waterloo. This year marks an important milestone for her, ten years of volunteering at KW Habilitation!
Dianne found the volunteer opportunity online and was drawn in by the atmosphere of the organization. She loved the feeling of the building and the people coming through the doors. The welcome desk felt like the right place to connect with others and be part of that daily rhythm.
Building Connection Through Small Moments
Dianne is known not only for her warm greetings but also for her baking. On days when she volunteers, she often brings in homemade treats. Rice Krispy squares are a favourite among staff and always disappear quickly. These small gestures have become part of what makes the space feel welcoming.
Dianne mentioned that has seen the building change over time, especially through COVID. While she misses the busyness of the main office from years past, she is happy to see people returning, reconnecting, and bringing energy back into the space.
Outside of volunteering, Dianne loves to walk. It is something she has always done, even as a child when she would walk from one end of town to the other. That steady, everyday commitment shows up in her volunteering too. Reliable, thoughtful, and always present.
We are grateful for Dianne and the care she brings to KW Habilitation. Her time and presence help create the welcoming environment that so many people notice and appreciate.