b'SUCCESS STORYA Small-Town Safe SpaceCelebrating the success of Stephanie Dawson S tephanie Dawson is the co-founder and co-owner ofyouth. She provides her clients with a safe space where Beyond the Bridge Therapy Centre, where she and herthey feel they are acknowledged and heard. Stephanies business partner, Katie, strive to cultivate a safe andidentification of the ableism, sexism and racism that can inclusive environment for their clients to move through theiroccur in small towns has pushed her to create a space that therapeutic journeys.is open and welcoming to everybody and anybody.Stephanie is Mikmaq from Summerside, P.E.I., where sheHaving a child with physical disabilities herself, Stephanie lives with her two sons, her daughter and her husband.and her business partner have worked to ensure that their Her drive to start the business came from her deep-rootedcentre is as accessible as possible for all. Her own office desire to help and be of service to others. Stephanies con- has extra-large doors to accommodate those using mobility nection to her Indigenous communities comes through heraids such as wheelchairs, and it does not have stairs. It is father, who always taught her the importance of educationimportant to her that she provides a space where every-and of connecting with her culture. body not only feels welcomed, but also feels like they can Stephanie is surrounded and supported by many familybe as independent as they want to be.members and friends who have not only pushed her toStephanie is continually working to learn more about her reach her goals, but who have also helped her to achievecommunity and culture and is very interested in learning the successes that shes experiencing today. She primar- how to bring more cultural aspects into her work as a ther-ily provides talk therapy and especially likes to work withapist when needed.PARTNER WITH USTO ENGAGE WITH COMMUNITIES AND INDUSTRIES FROM COAST TO COAST TO COAST Robert Thompson, Senior Vice President P u b l i s h i n g robertt@mediaedge.ca 647-494-4229 Issue #2, 2023INDIGENOUS PROSPERITY 29'