I SAW MY REPORT CARD. I WAS FAILING THREE COURSES
Everyone knows what it feels like to be lost
This is where I found myself when I entered Northern Secondary School in grade 10. I came from a small private school, and this new "nowhere" was a shocking environment to me.
Never before had drugs and alcohol been so readily at my fingertips, and never before had I had a peer group that used these substances recreationally on the weekends.
Soon, I was in a place where people knew my name, and accepted me as one of their own. It felt good to be found, so I started to regularly smoke marijuana, and skip classes.
I didn't know something was wrong until sometime mid way through the year, when I saw my report card and realized I was failing 3 courses.
I was never comfortable anymore, always fidgeting in my own skin. I had a moment of self-reflection. I knew something had to change, so I looked into finding help through the school.
I knew nothing about Delisle, but I regularly stopped by Dale Callender's office, and what I did know was that Dale was a friendly, accessible person. Having a figure in school, not directly on TDSB staff was so beneficial to me because I never felt like I had to restrict anything I wanted to say.
I started to have regular meetings with Dale, to target major changes in my life that I wanted to make, and discover strategies about how to implement these changes. Every meeting I made progress.
I started to take care of myself, and the mistakes I had made in my academics were on the road to recovery.
Most importantly, Dale and Delisle helped me realize that even when I felt like I was in the middle of nowhere, there was always a place to ask directions.
PROGRAMS THAT HELPED OLIVIA:
I COULDN'T BEAR BEING
ALONE ANYMORE
I walked through the doors just before my 17th birthday in need of someone to talk to.
I couldn't bear being alone anymore
I got in touch with a counselor. The whole process was very strange to me, meeting someone once a week to talk about myself. It wasn't like anything I've ever done before.
As I sat there slouched and barely making eye contact she asked me questions about my life - my feelings, family and school.
Each week I would open up to her a little more; testing the waters to see if she was safe. My biggest fear - being hurt by another person I thought I could trust - never came true.
A year had gone by of building a solid relationship and trust, when I was forced to make one of the toughest decisions of my life - run away from home.
My counselor connected me with Delisle's Housing Worker and together, the three of us created a plan of referring me to different group homes in the city. Finally, some stability. I was able to work with my counselor, group home staff and other care providers to address the issue of mental health, suicide and abuse.
My counselor was the only one who stuck by my side, day in and day out, tirelessly working to ensure that I was safe, healthy and happy. She was the first person to ever express genuine interest in me. Those relationship building skills have transferred to other aspects of my life.
After meeting with my counselor for 3 years, I was ready to move on to become the strong, impactful woman I am today. I am now a dedicated DYS volunteer and advocate pushing for child and youth mental health awareness and engaging youth in our communities on a local, provincial and national level.
But Delisle has and will always be my second home.
Mo has been involved with counselling, the annual art gallery, and housing support
PROGRAMS THAT HELPED MO:
SCHOOL WAS NOT FOR ME
Everyday was a fight with my teachers to the point where I had a desk assigned to me in the main office. I couldn't sit still or focus on what teachers were saying so I just didn't go.
Bendale, the school I attended, placed me in a co-op program called Learn and Work. It was for troubled youth who couldn't stay in school. I thought I wanted to be a social worker so they assigned me to Delisle.
I thought I would hate it, working in an office, having to dress up. The first week I barely spoke. I wasn't going to ask for help or say anything.
But everyone was so welcoming and friendly. People came to check up on me and make sure I was ok. Arcangela and Christine made sure I knew what to do.
And so I started to change.
I had the chance to do so many different things: work on a staff newsletter, write an issue for the youth magazine "Speak Up", help with administrative tasks like faxing and photocopying and handling reception, decorating the family room and reception area to make it more youth friendly, and much more.
After being here for 3 days, I was asked to join the youth engagement committee which opened up all kinds of new opportunities.
A new youth centre called The Studio was being opened and I got to play a big part in what happened. I traveled with another co-op student to youth centres all over the city, took pictures, and learned about programming they were doing. We came back and got to help design The Studio. I helped plan the opening events and MC'd for the board and funders, and community partners.
I received training on youth engagement which helped me organize an agency trip to a conference in Ottawa, and I am now planning an 8-week summer program for girls. I am planning the activities and budget.
If I hadn't come to Delisle, I don't know where I would be now. Christine encouraged me to finish high school and to apply for college.
I used to be shy and quiet; nobody believes that now. I have come out of my shell. Delisle brought me up to the door and I have walked through it into another world.
PROGRAMS THAT HELPED SHANTEL:
