Wolves United grant supports student well-being at Barrydowne College

Barrydowne College has received $3,500 from Wolves United to nurture student well-being. A re-engagement school located at Cambrian College, Barrydowne College provides a unique setting for students ages 18 to 21 to earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma and open doors for their future.

Staff from Barrydowne College attended the funding announcement during the Sudbury Wolves game on February 14, 2020. A partnership between Sudbury Wolves Sports and Entertainment and United Way Centraide North East Ontario, Wolves United supports youth-based mental health initiatives within the Greater Sudbury and Manitoulin districts.

“Many of our students have come back to school, balancing children, jobs, mental health, addictions, poverty and housing,” said Barrydowne College Principal Susan Kett. “These challenges can create significant barriers to academic success.”

The project “I AM, at BDC” will help 175 students achieve their goals. Workshops will focus on strategies for coping, emotional self-regulation, and managing mental health. Information will be shared through lunch-and-learn sessions with community agencies, weekly homework help and family-style dinners, and in-house parenting sessions provided by Better Beginnings Better Futures.

Students will enjoy beading, baking and cooking. They will also make medicine pouches, participate in field trips, and engage in healthy eating. Funds will be used to purchase a high-speed blender for the kitchen, where students can explore a variety of diet options including plant-based foods.

“At Barrydowne College, we want our students to feel safe, accepted and supported,” said Principal Susan Kett. “Through the ‘I AM, at BDC’ project, students will develop skills and build strategies to achieve success in learning and life.”

She added: “We are extremely grateful to Wolves United for nurturing student well-being which will lead to regular attendance, the completion of credits, and, ultimately, graduation.”

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 674-3171, ext. 7217.