The Staff Enhancement Grant supports staff as they build skills, explore new ideas, and invest in their development. Here's how some recent recipients made the most of their funding.
Skyler Hammond
I used the grant to cover the registration fee for a hands-on blacksmithing workshop in KW. The funding made it possible for me to participate fully in the in-person, skills-based learning experience that I wouldn’t normally have access to.
The workshop pushed me to slow down, work carefully with my hands, and learn through trial and error. The science behind smithing is also really interesting to learn about! The workshop strengthened my problem-solving skills and reminded me how valuable hands-on learning can be. Stepping outside my usual work context was really refreshing and helped me come back to work with a new focus. I have a newfound respect for blacksmiths! It's a very unique art form, and certainly hard work. I was happily exhausted by day's end.
The workshop supported a local craftsperson and business, and helped sustain traditional trade skills. It brought together people from different backgrounds to learn, share knowledge, and build appreciation for hands-on work. Experiences like this strengthen local creative communities and encourage ongoing learning beyond formal settings. I met others at this workshop with fantastic creative backgrounds, and have already shared this experience with several others who I know will be interested.
Hendrik Walther
I used my Staff Enhancement Grant to take a six-week pottery class at a local studio in Kitchener-Waterloo. It was a wonderful opportunity to explore a creative skill I had always been curious about but had never taken the time to pursue.
Working with clay was relaxing, humbling, and rewarding at the same time. It gave me the opportunity to step away from my daily routine, slow down, and focus on learning something completely new through a hands-on creative process.
The class also connected me with members of the local arts community and reminded me how valuable hands-on, creative activities can be for well-being and personal growth. I’m very grateful for the opportunity the grant provided and hope to continue developing this skill in the future.
Victoria Gadon
I used this grant to complete the Fitness Instructor Specialist certification through canfitpro. This certification involved a 27-hour course, a theory exam, and a practical exam, and I taught my first fitness class in May 2026!
I first considered taking this course during my undergrad, and it's been in the back of my head ever since. It's been fun to finally work towards this goal! I of course learned so much about how to teach fitness classes, but I also learned a lot about health and fitness in general. This will certainly benefit my personal fitness, as well as giving me a fun new area of personal learning and development. I'm excited to get more involved in my local community and put this certification to good use. I really enjoy the whole process of planning and teaching classes.
Dorothy Chapman
I used the grant to cover the cost of my Wilderness First Aid course.
Taking this course every three years is great for refreshing your skills and updating your knowledge. The hands-on scenarios had us practicing those skills that you hope you never need to use, but can use if needed.
Having my wilderness first aid certification (along with other outdoor adventure qualifications) enables myself and other Girl Guides leaders to take youth on trips to places such as Algonquin Park.
Ahalya Iynkaran
I used the grant to register for and attend the KW Coffee Collective's Introduction to Sensory & Cupping Coffee workshop.
I learned a lot about the coffee cupping process, how to discern flavour notes in coffee, and got some hands-on experience applying all the theory and knowledge through practice workshops. Through the process I got to learn more about my own preferences, and being able to pinpoint them will help me figure out how to bring those flavour notes while brewing coffee at home.
Funmi Onikan
I took the Editor Bundle photography course at Learn Photography Canada
Taking this photography course was such a fun and eye‑opening experience. I loved getting the chance to explore what a digital camera can do and tap into my creativity. We covered a lot on how a camera works, different types of cameras, what their strengths are, how to adjust professional camera settings, how light and exposure work, different shooting modes, focus points and depth of field, motion photography, and some tricks that will later come in handy. I also learned the basics of Adobe Lightroom editing and I was able to edit some of my photos. One of the best parts was getting to try out different professional cameras during hands‑on activities. These practical sessions helped me to understand the concepts taught and boosted my confidence in operating equipment beyond a smartphone camera. Attached are a couple of the photographs I captured during the sessions.
Alex Li
The grant was used to pay for the course fee in the Home Inspection for Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps course at George Brown College.
The grant allowed me to gain more knowledge in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. The grant help me removed a significant knowledge barrier that would have otherwise made it difficult to for me to troubleshoot HVAC and air conditioning systems, enabling me to be more confident when dealing with issues on the systems, especially as climate change is impacting more and more drastically, which puts more strain onto our homes heating and cooling systems.
Samuel Chen
I used the grant to get my Pickleball Coaching License.
I am now going to be a part-time coach at our local pickleball club in Cambridge.
I will be teaching dozens of local players how to play pickleball, from youth to the elderly.
Jenny Rothwell
Thank you to the Staff Association for providing me with a staff enhancement grant. I used the SEG for tuition for an improv class at The Second City.
The improv class helped me practice active listening and build on the ideas of others in a positive way by focusing on what is being said so that I could respond better. It let me take risks in an accepting environment. The class gave me permission to fail and to be comfortable with that failure.
Pamela Hurvid
I used the grant for golf lessons for four employees
We got to know each other better, and improved our skills at a physical activity we plan to participate in for many years to come.
We have family, friends, and colleagues we can golf with and encourage a love of outdoor sports.
Deepa Devaraj
I used the grant to learn a new dance skill – Classical Dance called Bharatanatyam.
I was hoping to regain my dance skills as dance is something that brings me immense joy. I was very underconfident to get back into it, but I can now confidently say that this was the best decision I took this year. I had a soulful experience and learning a new skill has positively impacted my physical and mental health. I got the confidence that it is never too late to try something new or to chase long-held dreams.
Emily Burgess
I took a five-week stained-glass window builders course.
I was so thrilled to be able to take this in-depth course which taught advanced techniques and deepened my skill set in the art of stained glass. This course helped me explore new faucets of design, cutting techniques, window building, framing and finishing techniques to create a high-quality finished product. I am so, so excited to start on my next piece to put all of these new skills to good use.
As an artist, I care deeply about access to the arts and giving back to the community. This course allowed me to build my own community network with other artists and deepen my skill set that will go into making additional art pieces which I regularly donate to local organizations.
Daniela Cappello
I used this grant towards my tuition for participation in Pop Nation Canada's Performance Group.
I benefited by reconnecting with a life-long passion for performing that I have had since a young age. Being part of this group who share that same passion was motivating and created a strong sense of community. The experience supported my well-being by providing a creative outlet, while also building my confidence and reinforcing my enjoyment of music and performance.
James Brocklebank
I took Electrical Construction and Maintenance 1.
I gained a much better understanding of electrical safety and the principles behind electrical construction. The theoretical knowledge from the course gives me a stronger foundation for continuing personal projects at home, including home renovations and home automation. It also connects well with my interest in DIY maker projects using ESP32 boards, Arduino, and Raspberry Pi, where understanding electrical concepts and working safely with power and circuits is essential.
Karen Schooley
I used the grant to increase my Yoga modalities. I am a Yoga instructor and enrolled in Yin Yoga to further my Yoga knowledge.
I was able to research more deeply the ways to instruct Yin Yoga. This allows me to specialize in this area and for ways to personally allow my body to stretch properly and gain the benefits of this style of yoga practice.
I am hoping to share my yin yoga knowledge with friends and family to become more "stress free" and relaxed. I am in the process of working at a spa to teach Yin and restorative yoga classes.
Larisa Smyk
I attended a two-day Sewing Retreat in Guelph.
I learned a lot of new skills and techniques, made friends with the same hobbies, and got inspired for my future sewing plans.
With my productivity and creativity increased, I can serve my friends and family better: to create new clothes, to mend and repurpose old ones, to save more clothes from being dumped.
Janelle White
I utilized this grant to study and obtain my 200-hour Yoga Teacher Certification. The grant went towards the course fee.
This experience has enhanced my personal understanding of yoga: From the history of yoga and the anatomical functions of the body, to the philosophical teachings of yoga, this course provided greater context to a workout that I love.
This knowledge that I have gained has come to a great benefit to my friends and family, from hosting teaching practice sessions to providing advice on stretches and poses they can do to help with problem areas.
Ellen Gong
I used this grant to attend a handbuilding pottery class at the Waterloo Pottery Workshop located in the Waterloo Park.
Taking the pottery hand-building class has been a rewarding experience. I learned a variety of new techniques and experimented with different forms, textures, and designs. I was amazed at how small decisions in shaping, trimming, and glazing can completely change the appearance of a piece. One of the most exciting parts was seeing the finished piece, as the movement of the glaze often transformed the surface in unexpected ways, blending small flaws into the overall design and making the final result more beautiful than I had anticipated. This experience has also taught me to embrace imperfections and it is a meaning part of our life. The class also taught me that the quality of a pottery piece depends on patience and attention to detail, and that improvement comes through practice and learning from each experience. Beyond developing artistic skills, pottery brings happiness to my life and a sense of accomplishment. Most importantly, it has helped me stay curious, and continue learning in my ability to create something meaningful.
