By Sandy Keller
Published June 2022
Roman Dubinski has been an integral part and significant contributor to The Working Centre for 26 years. Roman began volunteering as a Board member with The Working Centre in 1996. He joined after retiring from the University of Waterloo, on the recommendation of Ken Westhues who was a member at the time.
Roman said he was drawn by The Working Centre’s mission and actions to help the unemployed, which he thought was a worthy cause. The Working Centre reaches people, many of the most vulnerable in society who could “fall through the cracks”, and he felt it was an honourable thing to do. The Working Centre was about supporting people as it sought to create a world that was livable and affordable.
As a Board member Roman was part of the negotiating team to acquire the location for St. John’s Kitchen and Worth A Second Look thrift store. Roman remarked that “while touring the store, Joe asked if I would look after the book section. I gladly accepted. I spent my life reading, studying and teaching literature and thought it would be a pleasant way to spend my time.” Thus, his work began when Worth A Second Look opened its doors in 2005. Since then, he has dedicated 2 to 3 hours daily for 4, sometimes 5 days a week at what Roman called “the shop”. In time, he was affectionately referred to as “The Book Man”.
Roman’s dedication was formally recognized in 2008 when a former student, Nancy Silcox, published an article in the “The Grand” magazine.
I asked Roman some questions about his work at Worth A Second Look.
What was a typical day like?
About 400 to 500 books arrived at Worth A Second Look on an average week. I sorted through the many bags and boxes. Duplicates were given to folks “upstairs” who came to St. John’s Kitchen. To help shoppers, I grouped the books into 60 sections and placed most in alphabetical order on the store shelves. I continued to do this after receiving many appreciative comments. People started coming back. It really paid off. As many as 20,000 books were sold, on average, each year. During the time I volunteered, book sales brought in a total of over $300,000.
Reflecting back, what makes you feel most satisfied with your volunteer experience at Worth A Second Look?
Basically, getting books out to people who loved to read. I enjoyed many pleasant conversations with people about the books they were reading or wanted to read. Folks occasionally asked me to watch for titles and subjects, such as chess or prayer books, and I would set books aside for them.
A volunteer recently asked about Diana Gabaldon’s “Outlander” series. I recognized the title, a popular one, and was able to help her out. I recall a man who, by accident, donated his wife’s collection of Edna Staebler cookbooks, which are a big seller at the shop. Needless to say, I went to work searching for Edna Staebler cookbooks so his wife could get some of them back. He was grateful! It was also rewarding to donate many books to teachers who were eager to have books on hand for young readers.
Over the years I got to know a lot of authors which expanded my joy of reading. And it was good to know that so many books could be shared with other readers and not added to the landfill.
What’s next?
I will always value the important work done by The Working Centre, its staff and many volunteers. It has been remarkable to witness the generous contributions of time, money and expertise to provide supports to marginalized people in our communities. Many contributors were showcased at the Mayors’ Dinner over the years that I attended and supported financially. My hope is for a future that also includes more publicly-funded programs and supports to make the hardship of homelessness and poverty a thing of the past in Waterloo Region.
Submitted, with love and respect for my dad, by Sandy Keller.
