Volunteer Spotlight: Bernania Meja
At Luna, our volunteers play a powerful role in helping children and families feel safe, supported, and seen. This month, we’re proud to spotlight one of our dedicated volunteers whose compassion and commitment shine through in every moment they share with Luna’s community.
Since October 2024, Bernania has been making a difference at Luna through not one, but two important volunteer roles. She first joined our Youth Advisory Council (YAC), offering a youth voice to help shape programs, share feedback, and act as a bridge between Luna and the wider youth community. Then, in January 2025, she stepped into a second role as a Welcome Volunteer, providing a warm, comforting presence for children and families as they arrive at Luna.
Whether assisting the Child Life Specialist in the Child Space, helping gather resources for a caregiver handbook, or contributing to youth-led conversations in YAC, Bernania brings energy, empathy, and a true passion for creating safe spaces.
While searching for volunteer opportunities in Calgary, Luna immediately stood out.
“What drew me to Luna was its multidisciplinary approach to supporting children, youth, and families affected by abuse,” Bernania shared. “My experience as a crisis responder with Kids Help Phone has given me the tools to support individuals in vulnerable situations, and I knew I could bring that to my volunteer role here.”
The opportunity to collaborate with professionals from Alberta Health Services, Calgary Police Service, RCMP, Children and Family Services, and Victim Services also aligned with her aspiration to become a clinical social worker.
Her kindness, professionalism, and commitment to learning continue to inspire us. Thank you for being a trusted part of Luna’s community, and for helping bring comfort and light to children and families when they need it most.
Read Bernania’s Q&A below:
How long have you been volunteering with Luna?
I've been a volunteer at Luna for 8 months now. I started volunteering first as a member of Luna's Youth Advisory Council (YAC) in October 2024, then I began volunteering as the Child Space/Welcome Volunteer in mid-January 2025.
What do you do in your volunteer role?
My volunteer roles at Luna involve offering support to children and families in the Child Space alongside the Child Life Specialist, assisting the Child Life Specialist in gathering resources for a caregiver handbook, and participating in YAC meetings by acting as a liaison between Luna and local youth to share ideas and feedback.
Why did you decide to volunteer with Luna?
I was looking for volunteer opportunities in Calgary, and Luna immediately stood out to me as it takes a multidisciplinary approach to supporting children, youth, and families aff ected by abuse. As a crisis responder with Kids Help Phone, my experience with crisis intervention and supporting individuals in vulnerable situations would align well with the Child Space/Welcome volunteer role. The opportunity to interact with professionals from Alberta Health Services, Calgary Police Service, RCMP, Children and Family Services, and Victim Services appealed to me, particularly because I aspire to become a social worker.
What is the most rewarding part of volunteering at Luna?/What is your favourite part about volunteering at Luna?
The most rewarding part of volunteering in the Child Space is seeing the pure excitement on the children’s faces when I walk them to the toy/gift room to choose an item and a quilt at the end of their visit. In these small moments, I feel I’ve helped bring them a sense of joy.
What are your goals or aspirations when it comes to volunteering at Luna?/What are you looking to get out of your volunteer experience?
My goal in every volunteer role is to be as helpful and supportive as possible. I’m passionate about making a meaningful impact in any way I can, whether offering emotional support or assisting behind the scenes. At Luna, I aim to gain hands-on experience in a multidisciplinary setting, deepen my skills in working with vulnerable populations, and help create a safe, welcoming space for children and families. I also want to strengthen my emotional support, advocacy, and collaboration abilities by learning from professionals across related fields.
What have you learned from your career or life experiences that you can apply at Luna?
I've learned the value of empathy, active listening, cultural sensitivity/awareness, and clear communication from my professional and personal experiences. I've developed these skills through my positions involving crisis response, child care, elder care, and being a Sociology student. These experiences have prepared me to support children and families at Luna with compassion, patience, and a trauma-informed approach.
Outside of your role at Luna, what interests keep you busy?
I’m a University of Calgary student majoring in Sociology with a minor in Law and Society. I’m currently wrapping up my last semester, so my academics have been keeping me quite occupied. My hobbies outside of school include travelling, reading, spending time with friends and family, and exploring my new interest in attending ballet shows!
What are your volunteer roles right now, including outside of Luna?
I have two volunteer roles within Luna: Child Space/Welcome Volunteer and YAC member. Outside of Luna, I have various volunteer work that I engage in, but my main one is with Kids Help Phone as a crisis responder.
What are your career aspirations? Where do you see yourself?
I aspire to become a clinical social worker and am currently completing my Bachelor's degree in Sociology with plans to pursue a Master’s in Social Work soon after. I’m still deciding whether to take a gap year after I complete my Bachelor's. However, I think I’m leaning towards taking a break to gain meaningful experience and further develop my skills before continuing my studies.
What have you learned, from your time here, that you can apply to your career path?
Volunteering alongside the Child Life Specialist has deepened my understanding of how to apply trauma-informed care in real-world settings. I've also learned much about using my crisis responder abilities in face-to-face conversations. Additionally, while most of my in-person experience was with a younger audience, working with children and their caregivers has given me greater confidence when interacting with adults, an area in which I was less experienced. These experiences have strengthened my communication, cultural sensitivity, empathy, and adaptability, skills that are essential for my future career in clinical social work.
