Dakota spent the summer of 2009 working at Marymound’s Summer Program. The 15-year-old was responsible for maintaining the grounds - doing everything from hedge trimming, tree planting, laying sod, cutting the grass and keeping the weeds under control. No easy task!

As well, he assisted the Summer Program Coordinator with getting Marymound School in tip-top shape for students’ return in the fall. He washed walls, cleaned windows, removed carpets and cleaned the entire Foods room.

“I found Dakota to be a very capable and agreeable co-worker,” said Daniel Scouten, program coordinator. “When faced with some of our more challenging jobs, he really stepped up. At lunch break, he spent his free time reading. Dakota is a voracious reader and it seemed to me that the patience and focus he developed from that he brought to his work.”

Dakota has a strong interest in going into the construction trades, especially doing carpentry. Marymound would like to assist in making this a reality. “We talked with the volunteer coordinator from Habitat for Humanity where he could gain valuable safety and skills training next year,” said Scouten.

Dakota was awarded the 2009 Marymound Milestone Award for his achievements.

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Deanna G. was just 17½ when she entered Marymound’s Independent Options Program. Coming from a situation of severe poverty, with a nine-month old daughter in tow and another baby on the way, Deanna was ill-equipped to handle independent living, let alone motherhood.

Malnourished, with no cooking skills, out of school, with poor personal hygiene, few parenting skills and drug and alcohol problems, Deanna felt defeated. She needed help to pull herself out of an unhealthy, downward-spiraling lifestyle.

A little over a year later, Deanna has come a long way. She is attending high school, and brings her now two-year-old and seven-month-old to the school daycare. She’s learnt to cook, budget her expenses and keep herself and her children clean with demonstrated help from family support workers.

Her two children are well-fed and healthy, her home is tidy and Deanna keeps to a regular schedule. She has stopped using drugs and alcohol and feels more robust.

Best of all, she has new-found confidence in herself and her abilities. Speaking about her goals for the future, she says, “It might take me longer, but I’m going to get there.”