MCC Harmony

My MCC Feature

By: Jordan Ouellette

August 20th, 2021

My name is Jordan. I’m a 20 year old living in the Drouillard Road area. I’m a brother to two siblings and six step siblings and they all look up to me. I have struggled throughout my childhood to get to where I am at today and it wasn’t easy to do but I continued to push down the broken path to come out the strongest I could be.

I wouldn’t wish my past on anyone. It was very difficult coming from a family that split up. I was severely affected, causing depression and anxiety at the age of 10 years old. I grew up jumping from grade school to grade school because of money issues so I was always on the move. I never had the chance to settle in and be friends with people, so I always got bullied growing up. Then high school hit and I was struggling even more to keep my grades up only passing with 50’s and 60’s in my courses. I did one semester at Brennan Catholic High School then moved to Holy Names.

Now that you know a little bit about me and my childhood let’s get to the good part.

Some of the challenges that I faced coming into the MCC Youth Work Ready program was being scared to open up and talk to new people. People I’ve never met or knew beforehand. Another thing would be not having any experience with any of the certifications.

I never touched any forklift or scissor lift before so it was something new and something I was pretty scared to do.

I also faced challenges such as not being given any chances.

I was always someone who got passed up by people or workplaces but now it’s a different story. I have licenses for things that workplaces look for.

I heard about the program by a man by the name of John Elliott, a great man who has given many young people chances to show themselves and give them a place to go as he runs the Sandwich Teen Action Centre.

If you know John he would do anything to help you.

He actually referred me to the program.

The first time after meeting Daniel (from the MCC), I thought in my head ya this gentleman is gonna help me and make me go along ways in life and be able to help me succeed and watch me make a program stand out so much. Daniel is someone who is there to listen to you and help you with just about anything. He’s honestly a great guy, words cannot explain how thankful I am for Daniel.

The single best moment of the program would be making new friends and getting past my fears. So, I can be better and become a better person and it has really helped me be better and focus on my future.

I’m really thankful for everything – it wouldn’t have been the same without all of the help in the program.

If I had to pick one of the most important benefits of being in the program it would be opening up to new people and explaining who you and where you have come from. I’ve built friendships with people who if I didn’t meet I’d be the same way I was before the program – that’s why I think meeting new people was the single best moment of the program.

If I was to talk to someone who was just like me and encourage them to join I would show them what I’ve been given certificate wise. I would also explain the program and show them what the outcome is really like because it’s very amazing. Would also explain how friendly everyone is down at MCC and how much they help you out.

Before I started the program I wasn’t happy with how things were going for me. I was on a downhill slide struggling to make my way back up to the top of the mountain. It really affected me. I felt like I wasn’t goodenough for anyone or anything. My attitude was also an issue because of not feeling like I was good enough for anyone or anything. I struggled but here I am today better than ever I’m more confident and happier than before.

How do I feel about myself now? I feel more confident. I have that ya lets go to work, let’s plan big things and be better and stronger and show everyone who said I wasn’t gonna go anywhere that they were wrong.

I feel like I’ve done everything I could have done and made the best of it and have shown everyone that they were completely wrong about me.

Where do I see myself in 5 years? Well, I’ve already put money away for my own house and also money put away for a new car but in 5 years I’ll have my own house and my own car. And possibly my own little family my life would be complete.

I just wanna say thank you to everyone at MCC and Majors McGuire and to the Solcz family for everything they have done. I am so very thankful for every single one of you and all the work you do. It wouldn’t have been possible without all of you so thank you. I appreciate everything. And to everyone who takes the program, never give up. I promise you things will be way better for you after you have completed the program.

Program Graduate,

Jordan Ouellette