Mark was in his first year of university when the unexpected struck: he was injured in an accident.
While he saw a doctor for treatment, he did not realize how serious the impact of the accident and his injuries were.
In the weeks that followed, he found himself struggling with school. His high grades spiralled downward.
Mark turned to the Teen Resource Centre, a United Way-funded partner, for help. Staff helped him get additional treatment, when he was advised to take a medical leave from school. After taking that step, he struggled with a sense of belonging without school.
They helped connect him to a national youth organization that works to advocate for youth issues. During his time off school, Mark was able to volunteer and travel with the organization.
Inspired by his experiences, Mark is now looking to pursue a career in education so that he can help empower the next generation.