OOTA Alumni: Building a Future Through Education

The Out of the Ashes (OOTA) Bursary was created in 2007 by Leann Kopytko and her late husband, Ron Kopytko, to support individuals in recovery who are pursuing education and building a new path forward. Administered through Day One Society, the bursary helps reduce financial barriers while recognizing the determination, resilience, and potential of those working toward their goals.

A two-time recipient of the Out of the Ashes Bursary, Elijah is currently one year away from completing his Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology.

“Today I am married and a full-time student still,” he shares. “I am one year from completion of my master’s degree in counselling psychology, which has been both a beautiful and challenging journey. I still face challenges, but I’m more equipped to deal with them than I used to be, and that’s something to be grateful for.”

Elijah first applied for the bursary while completing his third year of undergraduate studies, after already spending several years in recovery.

“Receiving the OOTA bursary has been really wonderful,” he says. “The team at Day One really believes in their recipients, and to have people like that in your corner means the world.”

Like many students, Elijah has worked hard to balance the demands of education and finances.

“The OOTA bursary has been an amazing support for me to pay off some of my student debt,” he explains. “I’ve had to take on quite a bit because that’s what I needed to do at the time to get my education, so to have some support in reducing that has been really encouraging.”

The impact of the bursary extended beyond financial assistance. “This bursary has also helped me to see just how much people believe in and support my recovery journey, whether that’s Leann and the team at Day One themselves or other supports in the community,” he shared

As he looks ahead to completing his master’s degree, Elijah hopes others will feel comfortable reaching out for support when they need it. “I would say do it,” he shares with anyone considering applying for the bursary. “If you could benefit from the support, it’s okay to ask for it. This bursary is designed to help those who could benefit, because Day One sees the value in what recovery takes. To stay connected is important, and to know that people are behind you can be very encouraging.”

As Elijah works toward completing his education, his story reflects the lasting impact of the Out of the Ashes Bursary. Through education, encouragement, and community support, recipients continue to build meaningful futures and demonstrate what is possible when recovery is met with opportunity.