Mallory Woods, 24, is completing their bachelor of women and gender studies at VIU, using their lived trauma and experiences to help youth on a similar path. (submitted photo)

By Alex Rawnsley

COURAGE

‘There’s a secret superpower people like me have:’ Nanaimo student’s time in youth care leads to counselling career

Feb 23, 2022 | 5:29 AM

NANAIMO — “Just even the emotional hurdle of going from somebody whose had no support to putting yourself in that vulnerable place to reach out and get support is huge and cannot be understated.”

It was years of vulnerability followed by a moment of courage which put Mallory Woods on a path toward sharing their trauma experience to help others.

The fourth year student at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo is completing their Bachelor’s degree in women’s and gender studies, with the goal of moving into a Masters and a career in counselling.

Woods’ own trauma stemmed from a difficult childhood and an eventual move into government-run youth care at the age of 16.

The move was spawned by family challenges with mental health, which resulted in Woods not getting the care or supports they needed at home.

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They moved away from their single mother and two younger siblings, in a bid to get on the right track.

“When I turned 16, there was a time when I went this is no longer healthy, no longer helpful, Woods said. “I know where I want to go, I know what I need to do to get there, I want to help people and this is not helping anyone so I’m out.”

The experience, according to Woods, was foundational to their current educational and career path as a counsellor, working with youth experiencing their own trauma, mental health or domestic violence situations.

“All these things are things that often come into play when we have children needing support from the government. You’re also like ‘oh my God, I need adult help and the adults in my life are not awesome.’ Trusting there’s going to be awesome adult on the other end of that phone call when you make it is an emotional hurdle for sure.”

Having turned 24 on Family Day, Woods is on their right path.

They aged out at 19 feeling better prepared to take on the world with a broader set of life skills. Woods said it’s hard to say they’re grateful for the experience, but it’s made them who the person they are today.

“It’s things like I didn’t realize I needed glasses until I was 20. I didn’t realize I needed dental work, I didn’t realize I had a gluten allergy. It’s just kind of things that get missed, slip through the cracks when you’re a teenager trying to raise yourself.”

Woods has just a handful of courses left before graduating with a Bachelor’s degree, their focus is turning to a coaching business geared towards youth experiencing a similar upbringing.

They’ve worked since 2018 mentoring youth aged nine to 16.

“I’m going to turn this hardship into medicine, I’m going to help people,” Woods said. “There’s a secret superpower people like me have in that the only way to prepare to help other people through trauma is to go through trauma.”

To help navigate their post-care life, Woods worked three jobs however employment dwindled at the onset of the pandemic.

In additional to ongoing government financial supports for youth exiting care, Woods was able to tap into the Youth Futures Education Fund, a joint program between the United Way British Columbia and the provincial government.

This year, $600,000 is available for youth who have graduated from government care and are pursuing higher education goals. Woods was one of 74 Vancouver Island University students, the highest of any B.C. post secondary institution to access funding last year.

VIU’s experience and proactivity in applying for Tuition Waiver Program funds is the main reason why the university featured so heavily in the grants.

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alex@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley