WAEC Wellness and Empowerment Conference 2019

Winnipeg Adult Education Centre students ventured to Red River College on Feb. 22 for the school’s annual health conference.

The event brought together students from the WAEC’s six different locations, including the main campus on Vaughn Street, the Kaakiyow li moond likol Adult Learning Centre, the River Osborne Adult Learning Centre, the Adolescent Parent Centre and the Taking Charge program.

“We got together as an organizing committee and thought our school acronym (WAEC) could be used again, so we decided to call this our Wellness and Empowerment Conference,” said library teacher-librarian Darcie Kiene. “In previous conferences, we’ve talked about healthy living, so this fit very well. We’ve also boosted our number of sessions up to 14 for this year.”

Sessions included: time management, rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords, recycling, positive body image, fostering healthy relationships, smoking prevention and cessation, and more.

Recycle Everywhere's Jaclyn Diduck conducts a session during WAEC's Wellness and Empowerment conference.

The event featured keynote speaker Rochelle Squires, the MLA for Riel; her life story struck a chord with many of the adult learners at WAEC. The minister, who was elected into office in 2016, completed her post-secondary in both college and university while being a single mother of two children.

“The hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life was to continue my education while I raised my family,” she said. “There are many challenges…my message for all of you is that you are in the right place. The best thing you can do is get ready every morning and show up. That path, taking these daily steps, they will lead us somewhere.”

Despite the challenges, Minister Squires said she knew education was the key to finding her path in life.

“Thirty years ago, when I was sitting in your place, I had no idea where I was going. All I knew was that I had to get myself educated,” she said.

“We can achieve anything we want in life. That’s not to say that there aren’t obstacles…but there is nothing better that you could be doing for yourself, your family and your children, than being here, investing in your wellness, investing in your education and believing in yourself.”

As many students move on to Red River College following their time at WAEC, Ms. Kiene said the health event was a great way for them to familiarize themselves with the college. RRC has hosted the event for many years running.

“Our collaboration with Red River College has been fantastic, they are also providing one of their staff for the time management session, which has been one of our most popular sessions in previous years,” Ms. Kiene said. “Our adult students want to balance their life tasks with their educational goals.”

RRC Academic Advisor Randy Rummery teaches WAEC students and life balance and time management.

WAEC students said they thought the event was very worthwhile.

“A lot of people are growing up today without the life skills they need to succeed in life,” said student Tyler O’Brien. “And they can be held back because of that, I know I was when I was younger. My mindset is completely different from when I was a teenager. Having these workshops and the opportunity to do this gives a lot of people a bigger chance to succeed.”

WSD Board Chair Chris Broughton, who was in attendance along with Trustee Yijie (Jennifer) Chen, brings his opening remarks.

“I’m from an older generation, and we never had these resources before,” said student Walter Johnston. “I know the younger generation, especially the youth, they need direction and these types of resources.”

The event was made possible by partnerships with the Winnipeg Foundation, Manitoba Public Insurance, the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, the Province of Manitoba, Recycle Everywhere, Festival du Voyageur, BREATH (The Lung Association), NorWest Co-op Community Health, Immigrant Centre, the University of Manitoba and WSD.