Words of Support
"Our goal ought to be to educate a person, supporting their individuality and providing a springboard for their dreams. In reality, our educational systems reduce this sacred task to a transactional, impersonal enterprise, with students reduced to ID numbers, stuffed into overcrowded classrooms, with layers upon layers of officialdom between people. Universities are crowded places but our students are isolated inside them. We routinely fail the most vulnerable of our students - those facing mental health challenges exacerbated with circumstances entirely outside their control. At-risk students face a formidable collection of related problems, including financial barriers, lack of affordable access to appropriate healthcare, and limited access to low-barrier academic supports. Students experiencing mental health challenges fight a courageous battle, yet we put up needless barriers to their healing. The scope of this problem is vast, and there are few truly meaningful initiatives out there seeking to actually listen, and then help.
The Courage to Persevere Project was born in adversity, and is a remarkable agent of change. With its compassionate yet effective focus on the agency, perseverance and self-worth of the whole person, the Courage to Persevere Project is an effective advocate for students. Meeting these courageous young people where they are, and providing respectful, low-barrier awards for mental health warriors, C2P is a shining example of what genuine support looks like."
Dr. Nilima Nigam
Professor of Mathematics,
Simon Fraser University
"One of the reasons that I donate to the Courage to Persevere Project is my wish to support students who otherwise I would not be able to reach. Those are students who, regardless of their life complexities, have committed to explore, develop, enhance, and apply their talents for the benefit of all."
Dr. Veselin Jungic
Fellow of the Canadian Mathematical Society,
3M National Teaching Fellow,
Professor Emeritus of Mathematics,
Simon Fraser University
"As an educator and researcher at the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability at UBC-Vancouver, I am pleased to express my strong support for the Courage to Persevere Project, led by Megan Monkman. It is widely recognized that students in academic settings face significant challenges related to stress, trauma, and mental health, which can adversely affect their academic performance and well-being.
Financial stress, in particular, is a major obstacle that many students identify as impacting both their studies and mental health.
The Courage to Persevere Project addresses these issues through a grants programme that has consistently provided meaningful support to students, helping to reduce stigma and remove barriers associated with mental health challenges. By alleviating financial pressures, the programme enables students to better focus on their academic and personal growth."
Dr. Niiyokamigaabaw Deondre Smiles, Ph.D. (He/They/Wiin)
Tribal Affiliation: Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
Adjunct Professor, Director of the Geographic Indigenous Futures Collaboratory
Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability