"I feel found.": Shaina's Story

In 2017, Shaina’s mental health was at a low point. Managing day-to-day tasks at school and work was difficult and she was facing housing insecurity.

“I got connected with Foundry Kelowna when I was young, like 15, 16,” Shaina says. “I was feeling very different than how I’m feeling now…I feel found. I feel calm. Collected. I feel good.”

At CMHA operated Foundry Kelowna, Shaina found a whole team of professionals who came alongside her to help her navigate barriers, begin her recovery, and successfully transition to adulthood. Workplace education and training, peer-support groups and counselling helped her build relationships and develop confidence, leadership, and coping skills. Supportive housing became a safe place for Shaina to call home.

With wraparound care to support every stage of her growth, Shaina has been on a journey of self-discovery and healing. She’s a gifted poet and artist and has found her confidence, voice, and passion—which she now uses to help others.

Her poetry comes from the heart and speaks honestly about both inner darkness and the courage it takes to overcome.

A Shadow That Follows

To Be Visible.

While feeling invincible.

To Have courage to conquer An Army.

To overcome your own obstacles.

To strive with life onwards as being a  

Protagonist in your journey of life &

Odyssey;

Like your own Shadow.

Shaina’s words highlight the strength and resilience she’s developed as she learned to trust herself and accessed the tools and resources to support her ongoing healing. “…To be able to have courage, courage to ask questions, courage to know that there will be days that won’t be good,” she says. “I am able to write, and it helps.”

She remembers a staff member at the CMHA Supportive Housing site where Shaina is now a resident, using the word ‘equilibrium’, which inspired her to write the following poem:

Equilibrium    

Emotions are like a rollercoaster.

I know a mind is strong, power and resilient!

It has the strength of transforming and healing

With transitioning from one place to another.

Where I’m not a prisoner to my thoughts, saying ‘I can’t’,

When I am more than capable!

To find the equilibrium of life.

I’m continually trying to believe in myself each day and

Trying my best with having a creative mind also has the downsides.

However, knowing I can and keep continuing forwards.

Shaina has a lot of encouragement and wisdom to offer to other young adults. She speaks about being “real and true to who you are,” “to listen to your heart, mind and body” and “to not fear them entirely.” She reminds us that, “Finding your way back to yourself in the darker days” is possible with support.

Shaina is also quick to share the many positive influences that helped shape her into who she is today, including the team at Foundry Kelowna, poetry, and the wisdom from one her favourite books, Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience by Brené Brown.

Today Shaina is an active volunteer at the art gallery and is working toward a return to coaching gymnastics, one of her many passions. Her goal each day is, “To leave a little bit of sparkle” wherever she goes. Shaina’s inner light is hard to miss.

Find more of Shaina’s poetry and art on TikTok.

Our hope that a mentally healthy community is possible, comes from the many people like Shaina, who are finding a way forward to overcome some of life’s biggest challenges.  

With your help, we can ensure everyone has the care and support that they need to live their best lives.

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