Connections Fall 2020 Vol. 14 Issue 1

A HAMILTON DISTRICT CHRISTIAN HIGH PUBLICATION

FALL 2020

Vol. 14 Issue 1

Meet HD’s Youth Accessibility Leader Kyra Dobrenski, Grade 10 student Kyra Dobrenski joined the HDCH grade nine class in September of 2019. Like most grade nines, Kyra recalls being a touch nervous as she approached the school on the first day.

Fast forward thirteen months.

Kyra is finding success in math, a subject that can give her a bit of trouble. HD teachers have explained concepts in ways that have helped her understand more than ever before. Kyra reports that HD has surpassed all her expectations, going above and beyond in so many ways.

She says that the “work environment at HD is amazing. There is always time and space to independently work and grow and there is also always time to share, learn, and grow with each other through project based learning and feedback, along with helpful communication.”

In October, staff put out a call for a student volunteer to help HD achieve a higher standard of accessibility and to help generate needed funds for critical accessibility upgrades, under the auspices of the federal Enabling Accessibility Fund.

PHOTO : HANK RINTJEMA

#whyHDCH

Youth Accessibility Leader Kyra was appointed by the Government of Canada to serve as HDCH’s Youth Accessibility Leader (YAL). This role provides an opportunity for Kyra to impact the lives of persons with disabilities, by addressing accessibility barriers at HDCH in a number of ways. As Kyra comes to school each day either in her wheelchair or using her cane, she brings her own experiences to this role.

Kyra plans to pursue a post-secondary program in disability studies. Both the work of the Diversity Committee and her role as Youth Accessibility Leader offer her the opportunity to truly be the difference at HDCH, while also providing knowledge and experiences that are foundational for her future studies and career.

PHOTO : HANK RINTJEMA

Upon hearing the news of her appointment, Kyra got to work right away. She has already spoken to the CARE Campaign Cabinet—a group of volunteers who are strategizing and fundraising for HDCH’s CARE Campaign— about the challenges she faces with the front entrance, main doors and the elevator. She is working with staff on a grant application for $10,000 in funding support for our $140,000 front entrance accessibility project. And she is forming plans about how to share her experiences with her peers to make HD an even better place to learn and grow.

Says Kyra: “My favourite thing about being HD’s Youth Accessibility Leader is helping create a better, more accessible place for everybody and bringing awareness of these problems that are not often brought up, to able-bodied staff, students, parents and supporters.”

Kyra has also joined HD’s Diversity Committee, a group that discusses experiences of racial bias and works towards wholeness in Christian community at HDCH. This group of students and staff is meeting regularly to share their experiences and hopes for HDCH--so we can keep becoming a community that models to the world around us our common humanity, and unity in diversity as members of God’s family.

www.hdch.org | 905.648.6655 |

Kyra speaks about staff “The teachers are so dedicated to all the students they teach and want to see us grow in all areas.

They always encourage us to do our best and work hard. They encourage us in our school work and in our faith, urging us to go out of our way to show kindness and respect for all people.”

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whyHDCH