Men of the North was founded in January 2020. (Submitted photo/Christopher Merasty)

By Derek Cornet

milestone

Men of the North secures $820K grant

Jun 1, 2023 | 5:33 PM

A $820,000 three-year grant from Northpine Foundation is expected to make a significant impact for Men of the North, a mental health support group, and the communities it serves.

“Our program will be able to recruit experienced and dedicated staff, secure suitable office space, develop comprehensive initiatives that address the root causes of incarceration, and leverage additional funding to further enhance and expand our services,” said Christopher Merasty, Men of the North founder.

“This operational funding will enable us to offer employment opportunities, mental health support, education, training, and traditional land-based practices to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous men.”

The Northpine Foundation is a private family foundation which focuses on investing in underserved and underinvested communities across Canada.

This specific investment is meant to provide mental health support and services, as well as employment training and additional support for greater success for those facing barriers to employment, reducing the likelihood of recidivism.

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Formerly incarcerated individuals face significant obstacles to finding meaningful employment, resulting in chronic underemployment, and increasing the likelihood of reoffending. The situation is particularly acute in Northern Saskatchewan, where there are no laws prohibiting employment discrimination based on criminal history.

“The benefits of our Men’s Healing Program and our partnership with the Northpine Foundation extend far beyond immediate impact,” Merasty said.

“By tackling the underlying causes of incarceration, our aim is to reduce recidivism rates and foster positive pathways that empower individuals to become productive and resilient members of society. Through our program, participants will experience healing, personal growth, and empowerment, acquiring essential skills, knowledge, and self-confidence that will position them as leaders, role models, and contributors to their communities.”

Men of the North will also aim to address stigma and discrimination by working with community leaders and Elders to address prejudices and help enforce employment equity legislation.

Sara Tessier, a director at the Northpine Foundation, explained the investment aligns with their mission to promote equity and inclusivity, reduce recidivism and empower formerly incarcerated individuals to improve their quality of life and contribute to society.

“Finding a leader like Christopher is rare,” she said. “We are thrilled to invest in an organization with a leader who is deeply connected with his people, bringing grace and mutual respect to every interaction he has with community members.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno