There was no shortage of excitement, pride, and entrepreneurial spirit at the recent graduation ceremony for adult learners at St. Patrick's Adult School. The 20-week Entrepreneurship course part of the Ottawa Catholic School Board's Adult ESL Program and funded by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) culminated in two incredible events: a Dragon's Den-style presentation and a vibrant graduation celebration.
This year's guest, "Dragons," brought experience, wisdom, and encouragement to the learners as they presented their business plans. We extend our heartfelt thanks to:
- Tom D'Amico, OCSB Director of Education
- Jane Duchscher, Executive Director, Ottawa Community Loan Fund (OCLF)
- Pierre Gaudet, Director of Educational Services, OCLF
- Zbigniew Wodkowski, Coordinator, St. Patrick Adult School
Their thoughtful feedback and guidance made the experience even more impactful for the students.
From Dreams to Reality
The diversity and determination of this year's 24 students were truly inspiring. Each learner brought their unique background, vision, and drive to the program. Together, they explored entrepreneurship in industries such as:
- Food & Beverage (6 students)
- Beauty (3 students)
- Daycare (3 students)
- Handicrafts (2 students)
- Automotive Services (1 student)
- Party & Event Planning (1 student)
- Construction (1 student)
- Cleaning Services (1 student)
- Financial & Tax Services (2 students)
- Telecommunications (1 student)
- Dental (1 student)
- Music (1 student)
- Social Work (1 student)
Even more exciting, seven students have already launched their businesses a testament to the practical skills, mentorship, and confidence they gained during the course. Every learner expressed a commitment to running their own business in the future, turning ambition into action.
Throughout the course, students also benefited from the expertise of the Ottawa Community Loan Fund (OCLF), who provided valuable sessions on key topics every entrepreneur needs to know offering real-world insights that helped learners strengthen their business plans and build confidence in their next steps.
A Graduation Full of Joy and Hope
Led by Instructor Firoozeh Chalabian, the graduation ceremony celebrated perseverance and possibility. The energy in the room was unforgettable, with smiles, applause, and a strong sense of community. These adult learners balanced many responsibilities family, work, and language learning while showing up every day to build their future.
As with every graduation, we took a moment to recognize the incredible leadership and dedication of Marianne Kayed, Manager of OCSB Continuing & Community Education. Her support has helped ensure OCSB programs like this one continue to empower learners across our city.
Congratulations to all our graduates on this well-deserved achievement! Your courage, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit are truly inspiring.
Learn more about our Adult ESL Program offered by OCSB Continuing & Community Education
