Story
Chyenne's Story: Co-founder And Peer Mentor
My story involves a lot of pain and a lot of sadness. My journey to a new life began only after I decided to sink as low as I possibly could and die. I went through extreme violence and abuse at the hands of many - but the one that led me to the path of destruction was my ex-husband and son's father. He destroyed every part of me after I wasn't whole to begin with. Addiction and street life became my only way to die without actually killing myself. The amazing thing is that it's not where my story ends, it's actually exactly where it begins. My sobriety and newfound life out of that world brought me to places I never thought possible.
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I became a mom again and was appointed Co-Executive Director at my father's charitable organization, The Underground Gym. I returned to school and earned my Specialized Honours degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminology. I completed a thesis on stigma and was subsequently appointed to the board of the Honorary Society of Psi Chi. I then got accepted into Graduate School at Brock University, where I am currently pursuing a Master's degree in Social/Personality Psychology with a thesis on addiction stigma. I work for a treatment centre as an addictions counsellor and sit on the board of the Elizabeth Fry Society. You're beginning is not your end - your beginnings and hardships shape you into who you are meant to become. I am living proof of that, and that is where Raynell and I are so passionate about changing the narrative on addictions. We will be the change - in so many more ways than one.
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Raynell's Story: Co-Founder And Peer Mentor
My life has been a winding road marked by pain, struggle, and loss of identity. The depths I reached felt endless. Moments when darkness outshined every shred of light, when survival seemed just another word for suffering. Trauma, neglect and abuse haunted my early years, compounded by the actions of people I trusted. The cycle of abuse and addiction swept me away, and there were days when it seemed like the only escape was to disappear completely. But the lowest points of my life were not the end, they were the beginning of a new chapter. In the ashes of what I thought was my last chance, I found the strength to fight for something better, myself and for my son! Recovery wasn’t linear, and it wasn’t easy. I had to relearn who I was outside of substances, how to trust, how to hope, and most of all, how to forgive myself. Step by step, I began to rebuild… I began to heal.
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​My journey has been shaped by resilience, determination, and a deep passion for helping others. As a mother to my amazing son, I am constantly inspired to be the best version of myself..not only for me, but for him as well. After overcoming some of the darkest chapters in my life, I made the brave decision to return to school and carve out a new path for myself. Enrolling in college, I worked tirelessly to earn my Social Service Work diploma, driven by a vision to be a source of hope and support for others who, like me, have faced tremendous adversity.
But my journey didn’t stop there. Fueled by my experiences, and a desire to deepen my impact, I set my sights even higher. I am now proud to be continuing my educational journey at Lakehead University, pursuing a Honors Bachelor of Social Work. Through my studies, I am learning not only how to better support individuals and families, but also how to challenge stigma and drive systemic change. Today, I serve as the Director of Outreach and Engagement at an incredible organization. Every day, I have the privilege of working alongside a passionate team, supporting folks who are navigating barriers and challenges. My role allows me to build connections, create opportunities, and advocate for those whose voices are often unheard.
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Chyenne and I share a dream of making a meaningful impact and offering genuine support to others. Navigating New Narratives is a beautiful creation to help support this dream, We want to encourage people to embrace their stories and experiences, knowing that our past does not define our future.