A training organization that aims to help people upgrade their employment, life and literacy skills now has an office in Yellowknife.
Aspire Training Academy opened the doors to its new training centre in the Bowling Green Building on 49 Street on Thursday last week.
“Standing here today feels surreal,” Carol Lavers, co-founder and executive director of Aspire, told those gathered.
“To stand here now in a real home of our own, surrounded by community partners and friends, it’s overwhelming in the most beautiful way. My heart is so full.”
Lavers told Cabin Radio that Aspire launched in 2021, with the aim of helping people build confidence and skills to seek employment, go back to school or start a business.
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The training academy’s Cheko youth empowerment project won $500,000 at this year’s Arctic Inspiration Prize awards. The initiative is designed to help young people become more employable and gain life skills “through land-based learning, mentorship and industry connections.”
Lavers said before the Yellowknife Women’s Society offered the new office space, Aspire training was held in non-profit organization spaces, which was not ideal.
Lavers said Aspire partners with Keepers of the Circle, an Indigenous organization that brings “a whole host of culture-based teaching,” and the women’s society, which provides clients.
She added that the women’s society runs the Common Ground program, which provides temporary employment opportunities to people who are experiencing homelessness, substance use issues and underemployment.
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“We’re hoping that through this we have an end-to-end solution,” she said. “So we get people in, we can help them build the skills and confidence, and then they can hopefully go on to gain meaningful employment.”
Arlene Hache, interim executive director of the Yellowknife Women’s Society, said the partnerships are about building capacity and setting people on a positive path.
“I’ve lived here 50 years and when I came here, I had no idea I had any capacity to do anything,” she said.
“It took me a lot to learn I have capacity. I contribute, I matter, I am valued.
“I never forgot that lesson so, when I look at people in my community of Yellowknife where I’ve lived for half a century, every person matters.”
