Hi everyone

I am Jade Parkinson-Gayle and I am so honored to share that I have recently been accepted to the Kelowna College of Professional Counselling.

This fall, I will begin a 1 year intensive program that teaches specifically to Professional Counselling for people of vulnerable circumstances, and provides the fundamentals to becoming a registered Counsellor in Canada. THIS IS MY DREAM!

I am currently working as a Special Care Counsellor in Montreal and the surrounding area. Since the age of 16, community building has been at the core of my contributions on this earth. I was taught to be a role model for my brother who had learning difficulties and social adjustment issues. This was amplified at the death of my mother when I was thirteen where a series of traumatic events led to finding myself with the support of the community.

How You Can Help:

My tuition is 12,880, which will cover all course expenses. While you can rest assured that I am saving my coins, applying for scholarships and building my credit to expand my loan options, I hope to receive community support, as living in community is what saved me as an adolescent and has been a catalyst for my career development. This opportunity for me is embodying the idea of being the change I want to see in the world.

What Will I Do with Your Help?

I will use this degree to enhance the services I provide, build my private practice and do my part to serve folks who are being underserved and falling through the cracks of a monstrous system.

Experience Working with the Community:

I have worked many years supporting youth at risk in community agencies such as the YMCA NDG, Cote des Neiges Black Community Association and the ForusGirls Foundation. I have also worked with adults with mental health difficulties as they reintegrate to the community at Donald Berman UPhouse. I launched an initiative called Black Girls Like Me which facilitates therapeutic spaces for Black Girls and women to connect. Additionally I have worked for the past couple years, as a Special Education Technician for the English Montreal School Board (EMSB), and educator within youth protection and as a Childcare worker at AMCAL Family Services, and Youth Representative of the Jamaica Association of Montreal. Recently, my community contributions were recognized as I was elected as one of CBC Quebec Black Changemakers of 2022.

Through these experiences I have had a spark ignited within me, I strongly identify with serving folks who experience mental health issues and substance use difficulties. Mental health matters and yet we experience a lack of cultural sensitivity in care, lack of diversity in helping professionals, inaccessibility of services and more that hinder the quality of life in our communities.

THANK YOU:

Any donations are appreciated! Thank you for partnering with me, believing in my dreams, and helping me to put this plan in action! I invite you to connect with me on socials if you want to hear more about my story or stay connected to my journey.

In love and light,

Jade