Restoring Wellness: Culture, Connection & Education for At-Risk Adult Students
2024 Truth and Reconciliation Fund Grant Recipient— $25,000
Intended Outcomes of the Restoring Wellness Program:
- At least 10% more students will complete their grade 12 education and enter post-secondary training or the workforce successfully.
- Ignite students will learn about themselves, their country and their peers resulting in improved confidence, resiliency, and a stronger sense of belonging.
- Ignite students will experience improved mental health and wellness enabling them to make positve changes in their lives.
- Ignite students will guide our ongoing steps toward reconciliation through advocacy and feedback.
The Truth and Reconciliation Fund grant had a tremendously positive effect on Ignite students. 13 inspirational students completed their diplomas less than a year after we launched our grade 12 program, and another 12 are still working with us. Students reported improved mental health (67%), quality of life (89%), personal wellness (100%), confidence (78%), and self-esteem (67%). They also reported feeling more connected to (89%), and supported by (100%) other students, teachers, and community members as well as reduced substance use (78%), and feeling able to make positive changes (100%) and manage challenges (89%). Students also reported improved personal wellness due to attending Indigenous community activities (e.g., Pipe Ceremonies, advocacy events, etc.).
The Truth and Reconciliation Fund grant had a tremendously positive effect on Ignite students. 13 inspirational students completed their diplomas less than a year after we launched our grade 12 program, and another 12 are still working with us. Students reported improved mental health (67%), quality of life (89%), personal wellness (100%), confidence (78%), and self-esteem (67%). They also reported feeling more connected to (89%), and supported by (100%) other students, teachers, and community members as well as reduced substance use (78%), and feeling able to make positive changes (100%) and manage challenges (89%). Students also reported improved personal wellness due to attending Indigenous community activities (e.g., Pipe Ceremonies, advocacy events, etc.).
C started at Ignite in January 2024. She came to us recently sober, homeless, and was staying at the local YWCA. She was determined to continue her journey of sobriety and learned about Ignite because her son had graduated from the program not too long before her start date. C had a quiet reserve about her in the beginning but soon showed her tenacity and became a leader in class. She supported other students, encouraging them to keep going when they were struggling emotionally, academically and mentally. Academically, C was a standout student and will be continuing her education in university with as se pursues a Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work.
C started at Ignite in January 2024. She came to us recently sober, homeless, and was staying at the local YWCA. She was determined to continue her journey of sobriety and learned about Ignite because her son had graduated from the program not too long before her start date. C had a quiet reserve about her in the beginning but soon showed her tenacity and became a leader in class. She supported other students, encouraging them to keep going when they were struggling emotionally, academically and mentally. Academically, C was a standout student and will be continuing her education in university with as se pursues a Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work.