CBC Radio features AC’s Umbrella Project
Posted on Thursday, September 15th, 2016
CBC Radio was on campus Monday afternoon to learn about Algonquin College’s ambitious Umbrella Project.
Reporter Hallie Cotnam sat down with Polly Leonard, AC’s Harm-Reduction Project Manager, Amanda Neilson, AC’s Harm-Reduction Consultant, and students Jordan Gignac and Erin Vincent to find out how the Project was helping students navigate life on campus.
The Umbrella Project is a college-wide initiative that “provides training, workshops, education, awareness, and support services for students who use substances, and those who care for them” and is done in partnership with Algonquin College Student Support Services, Algonquin College Partnerships and Applied Research, Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services, Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health, and Tungasuvvingat Inuit Community Centre.
Gignac and Vincent worked on the design and content of a new app for the Project called Rainy Daze, which was created to help students minimize the risks associated with drugs and alcohol. They demonstrated several of the app’s games for Cotnam, who asked some tough questions about substance use issues.
Listen to the full report here.