For much of her childhood, Kristyn was told she was too much: too loud, too enthusiastic, too energetic. And, over time, those qualities were ones she learned to suppress. 
Kristyn grew up without much support, feeling like she couldn’t thrive. But an early mentor helped her see her potential, encouraged her to pursue post-secondary education, and opened doors to leadership and volunteer opportunities.
At 19, Kristyn became the first person in her family to attend university. She chose social work because she wanted to help kids like herself feel empowered to be themselves. But she still wasn’t convinced that she belonged.
When Kristyn began her Bachelor of Social Work at MacEwan University, she specifically told her placement coordinator that she didn’t want to work directly with clients.
“I wanted to write policy and grant proposals, create meeting agendas, and set up events. I knew I didn’t want to be doing clinical work. I felt so little at the time. I was only 19 years old. What did I have to offer?”
A placement that changed everything
Kristyn’s four-month student placement brought her to CASA Mental Health’s downtown location, where she worked with the Youth and Family Advisory Council (YFAC) in an administrative role.
It was exactly what she thought she wanted: behind the scenes, away from clinical work.
Then, a Child and Youth Care Counsellor suggested she spend some time at CASA House, CASA’s acute inpatient treatment centre for children and youth.
His reasoning? “The kids need someone with enthusiasm like you.”
Kristyn initially resisted but, with only a month left in her placement, she decided to give it a try.
At CASA House, Kristyn discovered that the qualities she had spent years trying to hide were actually some of her greatest strengths. Many of the children she worked with had also been told they were too much, too loud or too difficult. Krystin knew the kids could tell when someone was being inauthentic, so the best way to connect with them was to simply be herself. And through that, she found her place and helped the kids at CASA House see that they could do the same.
She describes CASA House as being like The Magic School Bus, where Ms. Frizzle creates a sense of wonder and makes learning feel like an adventure.
“I realized how important play was once I got to CASA House. Play becomes the therapy.”
For Kristyn, everyday moments could become opportunities to learn. Making a bed together became a lesson in caring for yourself and your surroundings. Playing a game became an opportunity to practice frustration tolerance, gain confidence and learn how to be a good winner.
Just as importantly, the team at CASA House welcomed her insights as a student.
“They invited me to observe, but they also wanted to know more about social work and how the different disciplines worked together. They’d ask my opinion and I’d suggest things that were taken seriously.”
From student to employee
As Kristyn’s placement came to an end, she began saying goodbye to the children she had connected with.
But one child wasn’t ready to let her go. She marched up to the central desk and demanded to “speak to the manager”. The child advocated for Kristyn to stay.
“I felt so proud of myself, of the impact I made there, but even more proud of her, because that’s what we teach kids at CASA House: to advocate for themselves, be proud of who they are and speak their truth.”
After graduating from her university program, Kristyn applied for a casual position with CASA. By August, she had a full-time job.
That was eight years ago.
“I’m right where I’m supposed to be.”
At CASA, Kristyn found a place where she could show up boldly as herself.
“I love the people I work with, and I’ve seen the difference I can make by being myself.”
The qualities Kristyn once tried to hide became the very qualities that helped her connect with children and build a career at CASA.
“I’m not too loud. I’m not too much. I’m right where I’m supposed to be and there’s magic in that.”
