Living Every Day as a Connected Member of the Community

Living Every Day as a Connected Member of the Community

Nina’s Path From Participant to Volunteer

Watch this video about FASD made by our Fort and Temenos students!

Nina started her journey with Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health years ago with Fort, our Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) program for elementary school children. Then she moved on to Temenos, the FASD program designed for high school students. Both programs reflect the complex needs of individuals with FASD.

“It is a very safe place for me and I really liked it, and I ended up connecting with a community centre in my area that is also run by Camino. I helped plan a lot of the March Break activities. Unfortunately, that’s when COVID hit, so we weren’t allowed to do the things at the community centre. It took about a year or so for things to open again, but there really wasn’t much going on. That’s when I decided I was going to sign up for a volunteer position with Camino in general.”

“I feel very connected and welcomed. I feel like this entire environment of Camino, it’s a really healthy environment because they are there to support you – and not just be a person who’s there to talk to – they are there to full on support you.”

Classrooms are designed and equipped to support the unique learning strengths and needs of each student. A dedicated team of child and youth workers walk alongside each student, ensuring their individual days are successful, and preparing youth and families for life after Temenos, including a focus on essential social and life skills.

Inspired by the support Nina received through our programs, she wanted to stay connected and get more involved.

When asked why she wanted to put her time and energy into volunteering with Camino, Nina explained “I thought that Camino did a lot for me and helped me through a lot of stuff. It was more than just the program. The Family Support Worker helped me get into other programs and we also did stuff during the summer. I wanted to know more about Camino and I looked online and was like, ‘This company does a lot for the community! I want to see if I can help.’ Becoming a volunteer was my first step to becoming an employee. That’s kind of what I am going for.”

“I feel like I have a way of connecting with people and empathizing with them.” Nina credits the programs and people at Camino with helping foster that in her. “I’ve always been there for my peers, but I learned how to empathize with people because I learned about myself.”

Camino’s programs support families in building healthy relationships. Nina and her mom were supported in bridging some of their conversations so they can communicate more effectively. With the support they received, their relationship has improved. “There are some times that I do still need help with communicating with my mom, but most of the time now I can communicate with her clearly. We’ll try and stay calm when we’re having arguments which aren’t actually that often anymore. Occasionally we’ll have a bit of a disagreement, but we don’t really get into arguments at all anymore.”

Nina agrees Camino is there and has “got your back”.

Through each step of Nina’s journey with Camino, she was able to learn and develop the skills to help strengthen her wellbeing. Now, she is continuing on her path as a connected community member.