There was an atmosphere of excitement, pride, and entrepreneurial spirit at the adult learner graduation ceremony held in June 2025 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 remarkable events: a Dragon’s Den-style presentation and a vibrant graduation celebration that recognized both achievement and personal transformation.
Inspiring Mentorship and Community Support
This year’s guest “Dragons” brought experience, encouragement, and wisdom to the learners as they presented their business plans. The OCSB extended heartfelt thanks to:
- Tom D’Amico, OCSB Director of Education
- Jane Duchscher, Executive Director, Ottawa Community Loan Fund (OCLF)
- Pierre Gaudet, Educational Programs Manager & Entrepreneurship Expert, OCLF
- Zbigniew Wodkowski, Coordinator, St. Patrick Adult School
Their thoughtful feedback and guidance made the experience even more impactful for the students, helping them turn creative ideas into practical business strategies.
From Dreams to Reality
The diversity and determination of this year’s 24 graduates were truly inspiring. Each learner brought their unique background, vision, and drive to the program. Together, they explored entrepreneurship in a wide range of industries, including:
- 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)
Seven students launched their own businesses during the course, a testament to the skills, mentorship, and confidence they gained through the program. Every learner expressed a commitment to running their own business in the future, transforming ambition into action.
Throughout the course, students also benefited from the expertise of the Ottawa Community Loan Fund (OCLF), which provided engaging sessions on financial literacy, business planning, and entrepreneurship fundamentals. These real-world lessons helped learners refine their business models and feel more prepared to take their next steps.
A Graduation Filled with Joy and Hope
Led by instructor Firoozeh Chalabian, the graduation ceremony was more than a celebration of academic success. It was a reflection of resilience, confidence, and perseverance. The room was filled with smiles, applause, and heartfelt moments as learners celebrated their achievements together.
Many of the graduates balanced family, work, and language learning while pursuing their studies, showing remarkable determination and courage. Their success reflected the OCSB’s commitment to lifelong learning and to creating pathways for personal and professional growth.
The celebration also recognized the leadership and dedication of Marianne Kayed, Manager of OCSB Continuing and Community Education, whose vision and support ensured that programs like this continue to empower learners across the city.
Celebrating Courage and Success
Congratulations to all our graduates on this outstanding achievement. Your creativity, perseverance, and entrepreneurial spirit are an inspiration to your families, your communities, and to all of us at the Ottawa Catholic School Board. You have shown that through learning, connection, and determination, growth is always possible—at any stage of life.
