Searching for hope in midst of addictions and housing crises, Dryden, Ont., focuses on young people
CBC
Nancy Rosaasen stands quietly in front of a bulletin board, deep in thought.
Yellow certificates carrying the names of her students are stapled in a perfect grid to the achievement board.
"A lot of thoughts attached to every name you read," she said.
As one of the two teachers for Keewatin-Patricia District School Board's alternative education program in Dryden, Ont., Rosaasen works with students who are not finding success in a traditional classroom — students who are often dealing with other disruptions in their lives.
"Some days you think, 'Wow, if I had to handle some of the challenges that these kids are handling, I don't know if I'd even get out of bed,'" she said.
Rosaasen said consistent challenges that many, but not all, of her students face are associated with poverty. Mental health struggles. Substance abuse issues. Lack of affordable housing. Trouble finding work to support their families.
These are issues young people in northwestern Ontario are more likely to be adversely affected by than the rest of Ontario.