Madelaine

I was born in Hamilton but spent most of my school years living in Burlington with my mother and sister. I had a happy childhood and excelled in both academics and sports, especially basketball which I played competitively into my late teens. We moved back to Hamilton when I was 16 and that is when I first met Frederick and became aware of Liberty For Youth. I was struggling with mental health issues in those years and ended up dropping out of high school and heading down the wrong path. Frederick and his team were there to help me through those tough times and provide guidance when I needed it most.

At 23 I went back to school to get my high school diploma and after some soul searching, decided to continue my education in Therapeutic Recreation. I am currently in my second year of the program at Canadore College. I am very interested in helping others such as the elderly, differently abled and vulnerable, live a higher quality of life through providing meaningful recreation opportunities for them.

Currently, I am working as an intern Special Events Coordinator at Liberty For Youth. I am enjoying being part of such a caring and dedicated team of individuals, who are trying to make life better for at risk youth in our community. My goal is to share my story with others in the community in the hopes of inspiring them to overcome whatever obstacles they are facing.

My role on the youth council is researching the effects the COVID pandemic has had on youth mental health. I hope to apply my experience and knowledge to find ways to engage youth in addressing their challenges.