From Corrections to Community: Melissa Scherrens on Volunteering & Crime Prevention with Saanich Police

Volunteer Victoria’s Volunteer Matters podcast interviews Melissa Scherrens, Coordinator of Volunteers and Crime Prevention Programs with the Saanich Police Department. Melissa shares her career path from a criminal justice policing diploma to working as a correctional peace officer, a Calgary Transit peace officer, and appearing on Undercover Boss Canada, which led to an NYPD internship and multiple return visits. After moving to Vancouver Island in 2017, she worked as a community liaison officer, then as a bylaw officer, before joining Saanich Police in early 2024. She explains how volunteers support community engagement and education through programs like Block Watch, ICBC road safety initiatives (speed watch, cell watch, lockout auto crime), Safe Place, and charity events, noting growth to 30 crime prevention volunteers and thousands of hours contributed. Melissa discusses why volunteering matters, how it can lead to policing careers, and ways she recognizes volunteers year-round.

00:00 Podcast Welcome

00:52 Melissa Career Journey

01:54 Corrections To Transit

04:10 Undercover Boss Story

06:38 NYPD Internship Highlights

08:53 Volunteering Roots

10:03 Moving To The Island

11:43 Why Policing Matters

13:55 Modern Policing Challenges

16:51 Crime Prevention Volunteers

18:02 Block Watch Explained

19:20 Road Safety Initiatives

20:56 Volunteer Growth Numbers

22:09 Community Programs In Action

23:55 Requesting Event Support

25:13 Volunteering Into Policing

27:23 Why Volunteer At All

32:23 Recognizing Volunteers Well

35:45 Rapid Fire Fun Questions

40:39 Closing Thanks And Wrap

From Volunteer Victoria in Victoria, BC, host George speaks with Tracy Cullen, Director of Community Initiatives at the Victoria Foundation, about what community foundations are and how the Victoria Foundation manages donor gifts as endowment funds that generate annual grants to federally registered charities. Tracy notes the foundation’s 90th anniversary, its service area across the Capital Regional District, and recent granting totals (about $6.1M last year) with more than $400M invested back into community over time. They discuss sector challenges - rising costs, increased service demand, reduced revenues, and declining volunteerism - and bright spots such as supporting collaborations like the Good Food Network and a youth homelessness prevention collaboration. Tracy also describes Vital Youth, Vital Signs, and Pulse, shares her background including her family’s Horner Foundation, and reflects on the value of volunteering.

00:00 Podcast Welcome

00:51 Meet Tracy Cullen

01:41 What Is Community Foundation

03:33 Victoria Foundation Origins

04:12 Endowment Grantmaking Model

05:47 Funding Scale Impact

08:01 Sector Challenges Today

10:35 Collaboration Success Stories

14:18 Vital Youth Program

17:06 Vital Signs Pulse Research

21:00 How To Donate Start Fund

23:08 Horner Foundation Backstory

23:52 Jersey Shore Memories

24:34 Small Town Roots

25:07 Volunteering Values

27:27 Garden State Farmland

29:04 Family Foundation Story

30:27 Grantmaking At Victoria

31:54 Saying No Compassionately

34:47 Three Silly Questions

40:08 Why Volunteer Matters

42:56 Closing Thanks

Learn more about the Victoria Foundation.

Join us for another enlightening episode of Volunteer Matters, recorded in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia. In this podcast, we delve deep with Usman Afzal, a wealth advisor and portfolio manager for Alitis Investment Counsel, known for his exceptional community involvement. Discover Usman’s journey from Pakistan to Canada, his extensive travels, and his dedicated volunteer work with several organizations, including Volunteer Victoria and Emerge Victoria. Learn about the power of networking, the importance of giving back, and how to effectively manage time for volunteering. Usman also shares inspirational stories, professional advice, and personal insights that will inspire you to become more engaged in your community.

00:00 Introduction to Volunteer Matters

01:01 Meet Usman Afzal: Wealth Advisor and Volunteer

04:03 Usman's Networking and Community Involvement

08:48 The Importance of Volunteering

12:20 Usman's Background and Cultural Insights

19:11 Rapid Fire Questions with Usman

https://www.alitis.ca/our-team/usman-afzal/