OOTA Alumni: Finding Purpose Through Recovery, Education, and Nursing

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.

For Jessica Calder, receiving the Out of the Ashes Bursary comes at a meaningful point in her life as she continues her education and works toward a future in healthcare. She is currently taking the Practical Nursing program at Sprott Shaw College in Kamloops, a path shaped by both her personal life experiences and her years working in healthcare, including her work as a peer, as a Medical Office Assistant, and in her current role in Street Outreach.

“Through that work, I have seen firsthand how vulnerable people can struggle to access healthcare and how important it is for them to feel safe, respected, and heard when they do seek medical care,” Jessica shares.

Her own journey through addiction and recovery has also shaped the kind of nurse she hopes to become.

“Living through addiction and now living in recovery has taught me resilience, compassion, and the importance of meeting people where they are at rather than judging them for where they have been or currently are,” she says. “I want to bring those lessons with me into nursing.”

For Jessica, the bursary was more than financial assistance.

“Being recognized by the Out of the Ashes Bursary reminded me that the work I have put into rebuilding my life has meaning,” she says. “It felt like someone was saying, ‘We see how far you’ve come, and we believe in where you’re going.”

It also helped her see her story with more compassion. “It allowed me to let go of some of the shame I carried about my past,” Jessica explains. “The bursary showed me that there are people who see the person I am today, believe in me, and believe that I am worthy of building a future I can be proud of.”

Looking ahead, Jessica hopes to provide compassionate, non-judgmental care and advocate for patients and their needs. She wants to support people who may feel misunderstood, overlooked, or judged, while remembering the person behind every diagnosis, circumstance, or difficult chapter.

“My experience in Street Outreach has shown me how important it is to build trust with people who may have had difficult experiences with systems and healthcare,” she shares. “I want to be the kind of nurse who helps people feel safe enough to ask for help and knows that they will be treated with dignity when they do.”

Jessica also hopes her journey shows her daughters that change is possible.

“Life can teach us difficult lessons, but those experiences don’t have to be the end of our story,” she says. “We can learn from them, grow from them, and use them to create something positive.”

Her message to someone in recovery who may be thinking about applying for the Out of the Ashes Bursary is simple. “Apply,” Jessica says. “Even if a part of you is thinking, ‘I’m probably not good enough,’ or ‘There are probably people who deserve it more than I do,’ apply anyway.”

She believes asking for support can be part of recovery.

“Sometimes we have to allow other people to believe in us before we are able to fully believe in ourselves,” she adds. “You don’t have to have your entire life figured out. You just have to be willing to take the next step.”

As Jessica continues her Practical Nursing program, her story reflects the lasting impact of the Out of the Ashes Bursary. Through recovery, education, and encouragement, recipients are able to rebuild confidence, pursue new goals, and create futures filled with purpose, dignity, and hope.