About Us

The McMaster Teaching Assistant Volunteer Initiative was founded with one goal: to ensure every student feels supported, empowered, and capable of achieving their full potential.

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Sarah Kalmanovitch, our founder, has always been passionate about community service. After years of volunteering in various roles, she spent time assisting in a local school and saw firsthand the impact that mentorship and extra support could have on young learners. She knew that every student deserved to feel seen, encouraged, and confident in their abilities—so she set out to make that happen.

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What started as a small initiative quickly grew into a movement. Today, over 150 McMaster students have come together to contribute more than 5,000 volunteer hours to over 100 classrooms across Hamilton. Through this program, we provide mentorship and academic support to over 2,000 students across the city!

At the heart of our initiative is a belief in the power of mentorship. We want students to know that they are incredibly capable, and that with the right support, they can achieve anything. Through this program, we’re not just strengthening classrooms—we’re building a stronger, more connected community.

Together, we are shaping the future—one student, one classroom, and one volunteer at a time.