The Umbrella Project

The Umbrella Project The Umbrella Project is a parenting strategy, classroom program and way of looking at the world that

About our Founder, Dr. Jen Forristal

Dr. Jen is a Naturopathic Doctor and school wellness specialist. Founder of the Umbrella Project, she is creating a profound paradigm shift in the understanding of our personal well-being and that of our children. She has worked extensively with schools and organizations, delivering effective and integrated programming that target personal growth for all community members.

A huge thank you to Ontario Mutuals for sponsoring our empowering Living UP campaign!Your support has helped us recogniz...
02/18/2025

A huge thank you to Ontario Mutuals for sponsoring our empowering Living UP campaign!
Your support has helped us recognize incredible individuals and celebrate their resilience in navigating life’s challenges.
”

As our Living UP campaign ends, we want to give a huge shoutout to all the winners!They are a great example of how using...
02/18/2025

As our Living UP campaign ends, we want to give a huge shoutout to all the winners!
They are a great example of how using different Umbrella Skills helps to navigate life’s rainy days.
Your dedication and growth inspire us all!

Lily Johnson exemplifies determination and perseverance. Despite facing some learning challenges, she remains focused on...
12/17/2024

Lily Johnson exemplifies determination and perseverance. Despite facing some learning challenges, she remains focused on high school success and embraces a growth mindset. Lily prioritizes learning over marks and turns challenges into opportunities for growth.

Her resilience inspires others, and she passionately advocates for people with disabilities, promoting inclusivity and equity. We are proud to recognize Lily's strengths with this week's award.

Angela is an Early Childhood Educator and an amazing mother of two. She brings a positive attitude to school everyday a...
12/10/2024

Angela is an Early Childhood Educator and an amazing mother of two. She brings a positive attitude to school everyday and fosters a Growth Mindset in class, teaching the students to see mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow. Her patience, dedication, and caring nature make her a wondering role model and leader.

She takes challenges head on, the children look up to her, and it's clear to see why she is this week's LivingUP recipient!

Keri Gore is not just a mentor and coach, but also a beacon of support for our students. Through intramural sports, cros...
12/04/2024

Keri Gore is not just a mentor and coach, but also a beacon of support for our students. Through intramural sports, cross country running, and volleyball, she provides a safe outlet and essential coping strategies.

Her genuine approach and compassionate coaching have a lifelong impact, helping students develop coping skills, confidence, and a sense of community. Ms. Gore guides each child with kindness and understanding, turning challenges into valuable life lessons.

As a dedicated advocate for Indigenous studies, she leads activities that bring education and awareness to the forefront. Ms. Gore's leadership, motivation, and heartfelt guidance inspire us all to be better, kinder, and more caring individuals.

Thank you, Keri, your dedication doesn't go unnoticed.

Congratulations to this week's LivingUP recipient, Amy Innes. Amy is dedicated to making her school accessible for both ...
11/27/2024

Congratulations to this week's LivingUP recipient, Amy Innes. Amy is dedicated to making her school accessible for both neurotypical and neurodivergent students. Her sweet and kind nature shines through as she works tirelessly to make a positive difference in the lives of her students. Thank you, Amy, for your unwavering commitment to inclusivity and student well being!

Stu has been on an incredible journey since he was 17 years old. With resilience, he faced some early childhood traumas ...
11/20/2024

Stu has been on an incredible journey since he was 17 years old. With resilience, he faced some early childhood traumas and challenges. Stu worked through his fears, finished high school and chose a path of well-being. From then, he worked through the ups and downs of life and is willing to stay committed to this while he pursues his passions. He has done a great deal of work on his self esteem and the development of his audio engineering skills. Presently, he is taking a Bachelor of Creative Arts degree and is working as a producer in one of Toronto’s foremost music studios. He is in an industry where challenges are prevalent and yet his new outlook on life is what is bringing him more success than he could have ever imagined. While on this unexpected and extraordinary journey, Stu never forgot his goals in life, which were, (from childhood), a desire to pursue a career in music. Although he has not reached his "Everest" at the age of 22, he has climbed many mountains to reach his personal summit for now. He has developed a strong belief in himself, tried his best, taken one day at a time and has never given up. He is a true example of resilience, patience and courage.

This week's LivingUP recipient is Nancy McGillivray. Nancy embodies the Umbrella Project skills daily, supporting studen...
11/11/2024

This week's LivingUP recipient is Nancy McGillivray.

Nancy embodies the Umbrella Project skills daily, supporting student and staff well being across multiple schools. Her perseverance and positivity are unmatched, balancing community jobs while helping students with mental health and personal challenges. She sacrifices her lunch hours to run a games program, fostering student integration and friendship. Nancy’s creativity and open door policy make her a beloved figure. Her dedication to mental well being is inspiring.

Thank you for being you, Nancy!

This week we celebrate Dianne Kullman as our LivingUP recipient, and we reflect on her remarkable tenure as an Education...
11/05/2024

This week we celebrate Dianne Kullman as our LivingUP recipient, and we reflect on her remarkable tenure as an Educational Assistant. Diane was a steadfast pillar of strength, especially crucial for students' mental health. Her consistent care provided stability during times of turmoil and staff changes within the school.

Diane excelled in supporting students with innovative learning and positive coping strategies, always prioritizing their well being. Known for her warm, caring personality, she made genuine connections that left a lasting impact on her students.

Thank you, Diane, for your dedication and the profound influence you've had on countless lives. Enjoy your well deserved retirement!

Caring, compassionate, smart, dependable, gentle... trying to find just one word to describe Ms Huard isn't possible. We...
10/29/2024

Caring, compassionate, smart, dependable, gentle... trying to find just one word to describe Ms Huard isn't possible.

We're honored to spotlight Ms. Huard, a teacher who embodies compassion, dedication, and resilience. With a talent for making every student feel special and smart, she instills confidence that transforms young lives, preparing them for future challenges.

Ms. Huard, your relentless positivity and the profound impact you have on your students make you an outstanding recipient for this award. Thank you for your unwavering support and for showing everyone the power of resilience and dedication.

Congratulations to our LivingUp recipient this week, Julie! She is an outstanding champion of well-being. Despite challe...
10/22/2024

Congratulations to our LivingUp recipient this week, Julie! She is an outstanding champion of well-being. Despite challenges, she's grown immensely in both her professional and personal life. As a music teacher, she creates amazing opportunities for students. Her empathy and dedication make her a standout educator. On a personal level, Julie's commitment to self-care, completing a yoga certification, and pursuing mental health education has empowered her to support others even more effectively.

Ms Holmes' official title at school is Educational Assistant, but she takes on many roles! Whether she is being a compas...
10/15/2024

Ms Holmes' official title at school is Educational Assistant, but she takes on many roles! Whether she is being a compassionate coworker, a hardworking team member, or a role model for the students, Ms Holmes consistently puts her best foot forward. Using her creativity and organizational skills, Ms Holmes, with help, transformed an old change room into a sensory room for students who benefit from such a space. She regularly can be found in the hallway before school with a stapler in one hand and stencilled letters in the other, as she creates fun and visually appealing bulletin boards. She created a school calendar bulletin board which is the first thing one sees when entering the school. This simple act has created a larger sense of community as visitors are able to see upcoming events. Ms Holmes is an important part of her school community, keep up the good work Ms Holmes!

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