LEARNING IN ACTION
CROSS-CAMPUS COLLABORATION
CREATING
CAMPUS PLAYGROUND
Building futures with
EMPOWERMENT SUPPORT The Human Services Club is heading a crossdepartment initiative to improve Lakeland College’s playscape. Club president and child and youth care student Katherine Dinesh says the club was looking for a special project to work on when the idea of creating a nature-inspired play area for the community was presented. “We wanted to give back to the community,” Dinesh explains. “Our instructors came up with the idea of creating a natural playscape and we worked together to come up with all the concrete ideas. Natural play spaces are very important for children, especially in a society which is so reliant on technology. Our idea is to help children with the sensory aspects of development, while being out in nature and playing.” The playscape is already under construction beside the arboretum on Lakeland’s Vermilion campus. Plans for it include a tunnel, A-frame and stairs as well as a mud kitchen, water play area and sound wall, all created with donated or locally sourced material. Funds from Feast on the Farm also contributed to the project. According to Dinesh, the best part of the project is that it is a group effort involving the entire campus. “It’s called the Human Services Club but we have students from all the different schools bringing their perspective on things,” she says.
Annette Donnenworth knows how essential a supportive community is to achieving financial empowerment thanks to Women Building Futures (WBF).
W
orking as a waitress several years ago, Donnenworth was looking for assistance transitioning into a career with more room for economic growth. WBF helped her find a career in the pipefitting trade where she thrived.
you even start the program. I really liked that.”
“They don’t just throw you in there,” says the WBF alumni, who’s now enrolled at Lakeland College. “They
taking HOPE.
The accelerator program provides three weeks of instruction and training for potential female power engineering students. It’s an opportunity to get their safety tickets, brush up on their math and "With Women other skills, and build a Fast forward several Building community before entering years, the WBF alumni the post-secondary was ready to take Futures, they program. The partnership her career in a new set you up with with Lakeland ensures direction with power a foundation of that seats in the heavy oil engineering. When knowledge and power engineering (HOPE) WBF and Lakeland program are held for announced their community." participants, pending their new partnership in successful application. the spring of 2021, she jumped at the opportunity to enrol in a power Donnenworth completed the engineering career accelerator accelerator program with nine other program. women, eight of whom are now
give you a strong base of knowledge to start, they help you get all the safety tickets you need, and they mentor you, preparing you before
“With Women Building Futures, they set you up with a foundation of knowledge and community. Here at Lakeland, they teach you how to keep that momentum going with support. It’s amazing."
