Our Success Stories
West Interlake Celebration of
Business Excellence - Community Enterprise Champions
October 18, 2006
Super Six Newsletter - Fall 2006
Business of the Year and Community Enterprise Champion nominees were sought based on specific criteria:
a. businesses that have a significant impact on
the local and regional economy,
b.demonstrate a commitment to their
community,
c.local job creation and maintenance,
d.community partnering,
e.serve markets outside the region to bring new
dollars into the region, and
f.have a high level of entrepreneurial spirit and
confidence in the future of the region.
Fieldstone Ventures Education and Training Centre Inc. was started by community volunteers in Ashern in 1997 with the mandate to offer self employment and entrepreneurship skills training for youth and adults primarily in the RMs of Siglunes and Grahamdale.
Today, Fieldstone Ventures is till community owned and operated, but wow, how it has grown! Over the years, the volunteers that make up the Board of Fieldstone have directed many changes to the Centre in terms of programming, location, and expanding the area served to include all the RMs from Grahamdale to St. Laurent plus the First Nation communities of the region.
From entrepreneurship and computer training in one room of the Ashern Central School (with one employee) to offering Adult Education - Mature Student High School Diploma Program, adult upgrading/literacy, employment assistance services and emphasizing "life long learning" through a variety of training opportunities in three training rooms on Main Street Ashern (with nine employees). Fieldstone has always been dedicated to addressing the training needs of the region's businesses and workers, and do so phenomenally.
"Coming Here Woke Up my Thinking"
by Don Marsden, Fieldstone Ventures
Spring/Summer 2005 Vol 17 No 2
ISSN 1481-5117 Literacy Partners of Manitoba Write On! Newsletter
My name is Donald Marsden. My main occupation till now was driving the school bus from Lake St. Martin to Ashern. During school hours, I spent my time in Ashern walking around or sleeping in the bus. I was bored doing nothing, and I was thinking of quitting school bus driving.
Then one day, 5 years ago, I was at One Stop Restaurant having coffee and reading the Around Town Flyer. Fieldstone Ventures was in the flyer advertising literacy programs for young and old. The next day I called Fieldstone and got accepted. My first two days there was very hard. All the students were younger in the school where Fieldstone was located at that time. It took some time to wake up this old brain.
Later, Fieldstone rented the church kitchen next to the school. Some people felt awkward being the church kitchen. Now that they have a better building and more space, more people come to the adult learning classes.
During my time at the learning center I have gained the knowledge that I lacked. I have also learned that at my age, time is precious, and should not be wasted sitting at home and collecting social assistance. Education is vital in today's society.
The staff at the Fieldstone Center has made a big difference in my life. They are friendly, kind, and always encouraging us. Julie, the secretary, is always patient with the learners and Shelley, the director, is always on the go. Delight, Boniface Down and Kerry are all very special. Without the learning center, I wouldn't be so close to finishing the Mature High School Diploma program. I only need to finish my Math to be able to graduate in June.
Canada Post Literacy Award in the Community Leadership category
September 12, 2005
Thank you to Marliene Lutz and the Ashern and District Chamber of Commerce for the nomination and recognizing the dedication and commitment of our organization.
Fieldstone Ventures Education and Training Centre Inc. was selected as a winner of the prestigious Canada Post Literacy Award in the Community Leadership category for the Province of Manitoba. award.
The awards ceremony was in Brandon, Manitoba on September 10, 2005 to which a plaque and cheque was given to our Centre.
This is quite and achievement for our little "one-stop-shop" in Ashern. We are very proud to be recognized by our community for providing leadership for our citizens. We will continue to stiver to provide opportunities for all adults in the Northwest Interlake region of Manitoba to achieve their personal goals at Fieldstone Ventures Education and Training Centre.
Shelley Bjornson
Co-Director
accepting the 2005
Community Leadership Award
Speech given by Allison Staff
at the November 25, 2004
Annual General Meeting
Good Evening!
Board members, staff and visitors! My name is Allison Staff. I feel very honored to be asked to speak on behalf of the learners and myself that attend Fieldstone Adult learning Center here in Ashern.
I feel Fieldstone Adult Learning Center is a much-needed school for adults that wish to receive one or two course credits, computer upgrading, for entrance into college, world of work, or to receive their mature student diploma, and they feel comfortable within the school settings. This year I believe there will be 15 potential learners including myself that are scheduled to graduate this coming new year.
I feel I will be graduating with pride, accomplishment, and a great sense of self-esteem. I am sure my fellow graduates feel the same way, as they will be going off to post secondary education centers or entering the work force.
Attending students travel everyday faithfully, from places as far away as Vogar, Little Saskatchewan, Lake St. Martin, Fairford, and Steeprock. Because they feel the teaching they receive here at Fieldstone is superior and taught with caring and dedication. I feel the greatest strength is the staff for their encouraging words, and they all work together in order to make us learners accomplish our subjects, and work experiences to the best of our ability.
The Fieldstone learners and myself would like to express our gratitude to Boniface Etuk and Delight Knapp for their courage, dedication, and patience to us Learners. Thank you, Boniface and Delight!
In conclusion, I would like to recognize and thank the board members who volunteer their time and knowledge to make Fieldstone an exceptional learning center with a great sense of warmth, heart and strength.
Thank you!!
One of the first graduates from Fieldstone Ventures
Adult Learning Centre -- Mature Student Diploma - June 2004
Crystal White
This is a very special night for us, and it is wonderful to have you all here to celebrate our achievement in receiving our diplomas.
As adults, each of us came to the decision to take courses in order to receive our diplomas, which in turn would ultimately better our lives and the lives of our families. With the friendly and helpful advice from all of the staff of Fieldstone Ventures Adult Learning Center while completing our courses we have gained more confidence in ourselves and in our interactions with others. Discovering our personal skills and attributes as well as being informed about what types of skills and attitudes a potential employee is expected to posses has been a great help towards our boost of confidence.
Taking the courses with Fieldstone Ventures has helped us to look within ourselves and figure out what type of careers we want as well as what is practical while raising our families. When we made our career choices we began to do research while working out a plan in order to take the proper steps towards them, and with our diplomas we are on our way to achieving these career goals.
This past year has been a learning experience we will never forget. All of the tings we have learned throughout the year with Fieldstone Ventures adult learning center will help to guide us in our future careers as well as life in general.
We would like to thank all the staff of Fieldstone Ventures for the advice and encouragement we received from you throughout the year, without your help we wouldn't be where we're at right now. Thank you to our friends and families for your love and support and a special thank you to Boniface Etuk for the words of wisdom and the positive attitude you instilled upon us.
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