At the age of 13, Rachel became a resident of Meegwetch House, where she lived with Sister Carol and a number of other young girls, from the age of 13. Sister Carol introduced her to Rossbrook House where she says she finally found a sense of belonging.

As a teenager she spent as much time as possible at Rossbrook and attended Eagles’ Circle and Rising Sun schools. She courageously shared her thoughts about child poverty and about Rossbrook House, when she spoke at a conference and then again at a public event and on CBC.

She is raising her 3 amazing kids on her own. her eldest daughter graduated from Rising Sun in 2020. Her other daughter also attends the Rossbrook House alternative school programs. Rachel says that her kids have inspired her to fight hard to achieve her goals and to be everything she can be for herself and for them.

In September of 2017, Rachel began the Urban Circle Educational Assistance program and she graduated in June 2018. She would like to take what she learns and apply it on reserve where she feels that the need is greater. We applaud Rachel on her return to school and wish her every success!

In the fall of 2017 Rachel received a scholarship from Rossbrook House. She is extremely grateful to Rossbrook. “I live comfortably because of it”, she said. “I don’t have to dip into my savings to make ends meet each month.”

She says that Rossbrook House “still feels like home”.

Rachel has been working as an EA for the  Winnipeg school division at Earl Grey since 2018. And in the fall of 2022, Rachel returned to university, and enrolled in the Faculty of Education at the University of Winnipeg.

She was awarded a Sister Bernadette O’Reilly Scholarship in November of 2022.

Rachel says she is grateful to be receiving this award as Sisters Bernadette and Margaret and Maria were all a big part of her life and in the lives of her children as well.

Read more about the 2022 Scholarship Celebration here.