Who's Who: a Board Q+A with Jackson Grier
Our Board Q+A gives you a behind-the-scenes look into the work of our Board Members. Each member brings their own knowledge and expertise and is committed to serving our mission, vision, and our school.
Today we are featuring Jackson Grier, one of our newest Board Members. He joined the team In January 2020. Jackson shares five things you should know!
1. Important facts about yourself?
I’ve been in Settlement services for the past four years at NEEDS Centre, with over ten years of youth-related service including my volunteer and coaching history. I have a B.A. from U of W with a TESL certificate. I am an avid music collector and maker, with a passion for creative writing including short fiction for young readers, poetry, and writing collaborations for a variety of projects. To stay active throughout the year, I participate in a number of sports including softball, basketball, running, and soccer, while taking up cross country skiing again, as is Pandemic trendy right now. Also, it’s just a classic low-impact, exhilarating pastime!
2. How did you learn about HKI, and then why did you get involved?
I first learned about HKI through my work with the NEEDS Centre, after an invitation from colleagues to attend the annual fundraiser. Our current chair Jen, whom I have known for many years, was aware of my work through NEEDS and invited me down. I recognize academic interruption and disparity as being major barriers and an inequality facing newcomers settling in Canada. Humankind enables so many refugees to receive free access to early education and other services. It made me excited to be a part of it.
3. What is your absolute favourite part about what HKI does? Is there a time where you went “wow, we really did/do that”?
I love that through the generosity of our donors, we are able to supply schooling as well as food, but also provide an essential and trusted community with a meeting place for those coping with displacement from their home communities. I was amazed that we were able to support efforts to plant fruit trees on the school grounds (including lime, guava, and papaya) as well as beans, kale, tomatoes, and bell peppers. This sustainable source of nutrition, and green initiative that the children can participate in and reap direct benefit from, is pretty special.
4. If you were to explain to our community what we do, what would you say?
Humankind works to address the academic gaps facing those in the world’s largest refugee camp in Dadaab, Kenya. Through the support of Humankind, we can help to ensure that refugee youth do not miss out on their formative early years of education, and are provided all the necessary tools, supports, and essential nourishment, within a safe and inclusive environment.
5. Favourite childhood book?
Hmm, maybe Are You My Mother? An encyclopedia on dinosaurs would not be far behind.