CFJC Midday – ‘Just decided one day enough was enough and I needed to make a change’: Out of the Ashes Bursary recipient

Day One Society was recently featured on CFJC TV Kamloops’ Midday, where Program Supervisor Leann Kopytko and Out of the Ashes Bursary recipient Candis Garant shared how the bursary supports individuals in recovery as they pursue education and build a path forward.

During the conversation, Leann reflected on how the Out of the Ashes Bursary began in 2007 as a small community-driven initiative and has continued to grow through local donations. She explained that the bursary is available to individuals with a minimum of one year in recovery who live in Kamloops or are attending school in Kamloops, and that applications are reviewed based on each person’s recovery journey, education goals, and professional references.

Candis shared her experience as a recipient and spoke about reaching more than five years in recovery. She reflected on the changes she has made in her life and how education has become an important part of her path forward. After completing her second year in the Human Services program, Candis plans to continue her studies and ladder into social work.

She also spoke about finding purpose through school and discovering a passion for writing. As a mature student, Candis shared that she has been able to apply herself in a new way, earning straight A’s and making the Dean’s List for four semesters in a row.

For Candis, education has opened the door to new opportunities and helped her see what is possible in recovery. She described this as part of the gift of being sober: the chance to find what she is passionate about, work toward it, and feel grateful for the progress she has made.

Together, their conversation highlighted the impact of the Out of the Ashes Bursary and the importance of supporting people as they continue rebuilding their lives through education. Candis’s story is a reminder that recovery can create space for purpose, learning, and new beginnings.

Watch here