By Spencer Sterritt

Alt-education centre helping Nanaimo youth who fell through the cracks

Oct 30, 2017 | 4:43 PM

NANAIMO — The traditionally rigid school structure doesn’t work for everyone and a Nanaimo learning centre is helping youth who haven’t been in school for weeks, sometimes years. 

The Tsawalk Learning Centre offers students individualized learning plans including traditional course work, such as math and English, with learning experiences and hands-on training.

Vice-principal James Lemmon said they’d expected and prepared for roughly 15 students their first year and ended up helping 50. For their second year, which started in September, they’re once again at capacity with 50.

“What we try to do is meet a kid where they are,” he said. Older students will work on lower grades if they need to while auditing advanced classes at VIU they’re interested in, such as culinary arts. Community programs and learning, such as drivers education, is also part of their schooling.

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Of the 50 students studying at Tsawalk, Lemmon said many of them come from troubled backgrounds marked by abuse, addictions and a lack of strong role models, which is why the centre focuses on building relationships for better learning.

“It’s a safe place for a lot of these kids. I think they really appreciate that we take the time to get to know them and try to build them up from where they are.

“If they’re not connected in education, they haven’t had some of their basic needs met, they’re not employable, either because they’re too young or they don’t have skills anyone wants, while struggling with substance abuse. They’re acutely at risk, so how do we help raise them up?”

Sally Williams, the Elder at Tsawalk Learning Centre, said their role is to stand beside the youth on their journey as they make decisions to grow and learn.

“You need to help them find their self-confidence, build their self-esteem, let them know they’re worthy of everything human life has to offer them,” she said. “It’s a slow process but a very needed process because every human being needs to feel needed, accepted and acknowledged.”

Williams said there are very real challenges working with their youth, but by focusing on the student community and emphasizing how small differences and decisions can change a life, she said many have blossomed in some never-expected ways.

“When we first interacted with the youth, there were some we didn’t feel we’d ever be able to see a light from that student. But there’s a light shining from each student we touch. To see the young ones, it gives me hope that they’re going to have a brighter future, a better future at a young age.”

Though it’s closely tied with the Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre and services for Indigenous youth, any youth can sign up for courses. Tsawalk is open 52 weeks a year, with modified schedules in the summer and over Christmas break.

Anyone interested in joining or who knows someone who might benefit can visit the Tsawalk Learning Centre in Terminal Park or check out their Facebook page.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit