Staff Photo: Homeward Bound Home
The Urban Indigenous Homeward Bound program in Dryden is being hailed a huge success.
The program is in year three of four at the old Pinewood School site.
It provides a holistic approach to Indigenous mothers trying to obtain education and find gainful employment, with easy access to housing and childcare.
One of the lead partners is the Native Friendship Centre and Executive Director Cheryl Edwards says she’s proud of what has been accomplished.
“When I think of some of these women that have come through, they have always looked at, ‘I would like to provide a better life for my child. I want to be off of a socially dependent system. They look to education and employment as part of that. Education, employment and training.”
Edwards stresses the program helps participants enhance well-being and prosperity for themselves, their children, and the community.
Edwards talks about one of the cornerstones of the program.
“Childcare in particular and not just any childcare but Indigenous-led childcare and that’s a very important part of our programming.”
Edwards says the value of the program is indescribable.
“When you really look at the actual cost of an individual to stay on a very supportive system, this system eventually moves you out to an independent lifestyle. I believe this is going to be the way of service to move individuals forward to be successful.”
She adds it provides significant cost savings to both the provincial and municipal governments.
Edwards is most proud of the community involvement and partnerships.
“All of us have that drive and that willingness to support and at some point, go the extra mile in order for these women to see the dream of becoming independent and becoming educated to support that dream and to help it become a reality.”
There are 15 participating families involved in the program.
Those involved also include Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services, the City of Dryden, Kenora District Services Board, Confederation College, and the Dryden Bridges literacy program.
To hear more from Cheryl Edwards, visit the Audio link below:
