From Feeling Intimidated to Feeling Welcomed
- Ottawa Innercity Ministries
- Aug 5
- 2 min read
The first time I went to an IVOS gathering in person, I was a little intimidated. As a woman with an accent, walking into a room full of Veterans I had never met before, I wondered what they would think of me. I was worried I might feel out of place or be judged.
But my experience ended up being so much better than I expected.
Every time I’ve been to IVOS, I’ve had the chance to meet more Veterans and learn a little more about each person. Some have shared how they’ve bonded through having similar traumas and experiences. But what I’ve noticed is that they aren’t just coming to IVOS to talk about what they’ve been through. They come because they want to enjoy life, spend time together and have something to look forward to.
Something I didn’t expect was discovering how much we have in common through our love for Canada. Canada is the country I chose to call mine, while many of them fought to protect it. That shared appreciation for this country became one of the things that helped me feel more connected to the group.
When the group gets together, they talk, play games and have a great time. One game they always play is cribbage, and I’ve been trying to learn it. I’m still trying to understand the math and all the rules, but they are always so kind about teaching me again and again.
What started as something that felt intimidating has quickly become something I really enjoy. I’m welcomed with big smiles, and every time I leave, I feel like I’ve had a genuinely good time with people I’m getting to know more and more.
I’ve also heard from different Veterans how much they look forward to IVOS. Knowing that it’s a highlight of their week has made me appreciate how important it is to have a place where you feel welcomed and where you know people are happy to see you.
1 Peter 4:8 says, “Above all, love each other deeply.” I’ve seen a small reflection of Christ’s love in the way the Veterans have welcomed me. They didn’t need to know me well to make me feel like I belonged.
My biggest takeaway from IVOS has been that you don’t always know what something will be like until you give it a chance. I walked in feeling intimidated, and I ended up finding a group that made me feel welcomed.
~ Giovanna, Communications Coordinator
This was such a heartfelt and encouraging read. You captured that very real feeling of walking into a space where you’re not sure you’ll belong, and the relief and joy of discovering that you do. The detail about learning cribbage over and over again made it feel especially genuine, it’s in those small moments of patience and laughter that real community forms. I also loved the reflection on shared love for Canada. That connection, even coming from different life experiences, shows how belonging can grow in unexpected ways. I recently read a community-focused story on https://englandderbyshire.co.uk/ about intergenerational gatherings creating surprising bonds, and this reminded me of that same spirit of welcome and mutual respect. Thank you for sharing such…
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