LAKELAND - Students enroled in human services programs at Portage College will soon be able to gain more academic knowledge and work experience thanks to a new strategic partnership between the post-secondary institution and the Edmonton-based Sacred Turtle Woman Healing Center (STWHC).
According to an Aug. 6 information release, this agreement, also aims to enhance addiction and mental health support services.
Upon graduation, Portage College students will potentially be able to become part of the team at the Indigenous organization that offers a culturally-based addictions wellness and recovery programming.
Working in unison, Portage College and STWHC will develop tailored education plans to support clients of the recovery center, and also create a “circle of care” that is a combination of traditional academic learning and alternative therapies, including STWHC’s holistic healing practices.
Furthermore, the strategic partnership also has a focus on helping clients receiving treatment at STWHC through the development of post-treatment programs designed to increase employability.
Nancy Broadbent, president and CEO of Portage College, said the college currently runs the Community Social Work diploma at the Lac La Biche and Cold Lake campuses program provides student placements.
“However, we are also looking at expansion in the social sciences into the future,” Broadbent told Lakeland This Week. “Having a practicum partner like STWHC means that we can ensure our students have access to real career experiences in the job market.”
Regarding how this collaboration came about, Broadbent explained that STWHC and Portage College met through a third party, Patrick Lamoureux of Lams & Associates. As both institutions were working with the business advisory company, she continued, Lamoureux quickly recognized the alignment of the organizations and brought them together to discuss their common interests.
“Given our common interest in human development we will be working together to develop new curricula for the College and to raise awareness of the great work STWHC is doing,” she continued, explaining that one of the first projects is to seek funding for a research project on best practices supporting people healing from addictions.
Martin Larson, a representative from Sacred Turtle Woman Healing Center, stated that this partnership is a significant step forward in the organization’s mission to provide holistic healing and support.
“By combining our resources with Portage College, we can offer unparalleled educational and practical experiences to students while enhancing the care we provide to our clients,” he said.
