Meet Namratha, one of Luna’s dedicated volunteers, who helps ensure the smooth operation of both Luna’s front-end and back-end supports. Namratha has been volunteering with Luna since April of 2024 and currently holds two volunteer roles: Data Entry Volunteer and Victim Support Advocate. Not only does Namratha work with families, alongside Luna’s Victim Support team, but she also helps us input data into our back-end system, a dual-role that Namratha says intersect quite well! “I really like the data entry because it gives me a great visual of a lot of what is going on at Luna,” She said. “It’s neat to see how the one-to-one work I do in Victim Support on Fridays interacts with the data I input on Wednesdays.”

Her first interaction with Luna started at her University commencement ceremony, where Sheldon Kennedy spoke about his career, and his work at Luna.

“After my convocation, I wanted to learn more about Sheldon Kennedy, and I ended up finding Luna’s volunteer page in my search”, she said. “I’m really enjoying volunteering here!”

Currently finishing up a few courses at the University of Calgary, Namratha says she’s excited to see where she lands in the workforce and has learned from volunteering at Luna that she really likes working with data. Her volunteer hours at Luna are helping her form a direction on where she’d like to see herself working down the road.

We sat down with Namratha to ask her about her aspirations and her experiences at Luna. Read Namratha’s interview below:

How long have you been volunteering with Luna?

I’ve been volunteering for a couple of months. I started here mid-late April.

What are your volunteer roles right now?

I do data entry on Wednesdays and work with the victim support team on Fridays

Why did you decide to volunteer with Luna?

I had been introduced to Luna's work in my university degree, so I have been aware of Luna for a little while. In 2018, my commencement speaker was Sheldon Kennedy. I was taking a social work class and started following Luna on social media. I decided to Google Sheldon Kennedy to learn more about him and I came across Luna’s website and noticed you were recruiting for volunteers, so I applied.

What is your favourite part about volunteering at Luna?

For me so far, it has been learning about the different resources in Calgary that can support families. I learn much every week. The Family Support Coordinators are always introducing me to new people, and new things, which is really nice! There are so many opportunities for development and learning at Luna. If I decide to pursue a career in this, there's so many paths I can take!

What are your career aspirations? Where do you see yourself?

I’m not 100% sure. I enjoy the work I am doing now, through Luna. I really like the data entry because it gives me a great visual of a lot of what is going on in the city. And I get to see how the 1:1 work I do in victim support interacts with data.

What have you learned, from your time here, that you can apply to your career path?

There’s a lot of different things I have already taken away. But it’s really the different learning opportunities that Luna has that I think I will be able to apply to my career. I’ve signed up for a few learning sessions and I have found them to be really helpful!

Outside of your role at Luna, what interests keep you busy?

I’m finishing up my degree in Cellular Biology at the UofC and I work a second job, but other than that you can always find me at the dog park on the weekends, with my dog Honey!

When I’m not at the dog park, I’m probably working out. I’ll be at one of those two places!