After hearing a moving speech from two high school students in January 2018, the idea of volunteering around Vancouver for an entire year hit me and I thought it was just that, an idea. As I started doing research and meeting with people, it began to feel a little more realistic. What held me back was time and overthinking the…
Read More...
As I continue to gain exposure to different communities requiring support workers, volunteers and individuals who have insight into the causes and effects of mental health and addictions, I am driven to self-reflect a little more. I’ve realized I have blogged about trauma, addictions, the importance of Aboriginal history, school life and self-care. However, I have recently taken a step…
Read More...
I heard Dina Lambright speak at Stenberg’s “Be the Change” conference back in April. When I was told she was going to be our instructor for our Aboriginal Studies course I was thrilled. I enjoyed her presentation at the conference as it was very informative, heartwarming and honest. On top of it all, Dina spoke with humour and wit, which…
Read More...
As I mentioned in my last post, we are halfway through the Community Mental Health and Addictions Worker program. Recently, my classmates and I went on our second practicum. It reminded me of my first practicum in mid-December last year, when I felt a little anxious. I’d walk to the Vancouver Second Mile Society on those classic gloomy Vancouver days,…
Read More...
By the riverside As much as I enjoyed all of the empowering and insightful speeches at Stenberg’s Be the Change Conference, it was nice taking a break with a few of my classmates, walking along the riverside and sharing our thoughts about the messages being delivered. One thing we talked about was the free soup kitchen lunch provided by Lookout…
Read More...
Speakers go up and come down from the podium, each sharing something profound and encouraging at the Be the Change conference. Despite disheartening statistics, every person sitting in the Anvil Centre felt hope that things will get better. I believe it to be important to remain hopeful – hope is the very reason we are all gathered here. Show up…
Read More...
I sit in my seat and clap my hands as the speaker, Judy Graves, comes down from the podium. What she shared was relevant and insightful. The word that I grasped onto was “change”. What does that word mean to me? It could mean many things but I try my best to relate it to topics such as addiction and…
Read More...
When I first heard about the “Be the Change” conference hosted by Stenberg College, my excitement rapidly grew. I did not know what to expect or that it would affect me in the ways that it did. So, I attended with an open heart. An open heart When my classmates and I arrived at The Anvil Centre, we were greeted…
Read More...
Why? It is heartbreaking when we read about how bullying can sometimes lead to people taking their own lives. My heart sinks and I ask myself a one-word question, “Why?” Why does such cruelty exist? Why did it lead to this? I don’t know the victims personally, but I do feel some sort of defeat and it makes me wonder…
Read More...
Things that brighten my day I appreciate witnessing random acts of kindness unfolding in public places. I could be jogging and catch a glimpse of a person chasing a bus and making it onboard because the driver caught sight of them in the rearview mirror and decided to wait. It’s a heartwarming little moment that paints a slight smile across…
Read More...