TRU President and Vice-Chancellor Kathleen Scherf stops to talk with 3rd year arts student Brittany Garfield and her baby Ena at the Welcome Back Barbecue.
The First Steps Program celebrates 20 years of supporting young parents complete their education on Sept. 20.
The program, a unique partnership between Interior Community Services, the Boys and Girls Club of Kamloopsand School District #73 and Thompson Rivers University has supported hundreds of young, often single, parents strengthen their families by furthering their education.
“I would go anyway,” said Kathleen Scherf, TRU President and Vice-Chancellor regarding First Steps’ request for her to attend Saturday’s celebration. “I know that as a university president I am a good role model for young moms struggling to meet their educational goals. I understand the difficulty.”
Kathleen delivered the final paper for her doctorate’s course work as a 24-year-old, single mom when her first son was one week old. “In fact, that was the first paper I ever published. Rob has always been lucky for me.”
She considers her days as a young mom, living in family housing at UBC, baby Rob strapped into his bike seat behind her as her halcyon student days. “Having a baby made me focus and get my act together. I knew I had to get an education to provide for my little family.
“As a single parent there was no one to argue with my decisions or question my parenting abilities, although support systems are critical,” TRU’s new president argues, acknowledging the tremendous support she received from her parents and the importance of good day care.
In Kamloops, First Steps has been supporting young parents complete high school by providing flexible learning options, academic advising, counseling and reliable daycare, making a difference in the lives of hundreds of young parents and their children.
“It would have been easy for me to fall through the cracks as so many young mothers do, but the staff and the program itself made me realize that I have dreams and aspirations and it wasn’t going to be easy to achieve them “but that I could,” Laura Kronko, a former First Steps student said. She went on to earn a Social Work diploma and is currently the assistant program manager of Spirit Keeper Youth Society in Edmonton.
“Being a young mom is a joy. If you’re okay your kids will be okay,” Kathleen said matter-of-factly. “Your attitude is everything. For me, being a young mom was a riot.”
Contact:
TRU, Office of the President: 250.828.5001
Karen Rosenke, Interior Community Services: 250.554.3134 ext. 204
