It takes an incredible team of individuals to do the work we do.
Meet Ashley, one of Dragonfly Centre’s Educators. She shares with us what she loves most about her role, and much more!
What inspired you to work at Dragonfly?
I was drawn to work at Dragonfly due to my growing awareness of the impacts that sexual violence can have on individuals, families, and communities. As a parent and auntie, I am driven by a profound desire to create a safer world for my daughter and my nephews. I believe that through Dragonfly Centre’s preventative education, we can empower the next generation to stand up against violence and abuse, fostering a culture of consent and mutual respect. By instilling these values in our youth, we’re not just changing individual lives—we’re transforming families, communities, and creating a brighter, more resilient future for everyone.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
I love the opportunity to foster conversations that educate and empower others. Some of the concepts we discuss, and the harmful ones we seek to challenge—such as disrespecting consent, coercion, and victim-blaming—are so ingrained in our society and culture that simply talking about them can be very uncomfortable and vulnerable. It is both rewarding and inspirational to witness others embrace that discomfort, be open to new perspectives, and consider new ideas.
What is the most important thing you’ve learned in your position?
One of the most vital lessons I’ve learned is the power of collaboration. I may be just one person, but when I unite with teammates, community members, and other organizations, our collective impact is magnified. This can also be beneficial for survivors of sexual violence, as survivor collaboration can create a sense of agency and support, helping individuals reclaim their narratives and advocate for change. Together, we can cultivate resilience against sexual violence, creating a stronger network of support that empowers individuals and communities alike.
What has been your proudest moment since joining Dragonfly?
My proudest moments occur when students remember our team and the messages we share. I really enjoy working with youth and seeing them grasp the important concepts we talk about. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know we’ve made a lasting impression and that our efforts contribute to their understanding and even their safety. Equally fulfilling is when we support parents and caregivers who identify as “cycle breakers,” striving to raise their children differently than how they themselves were raised. It’s truly inspirational to see this happening because by raising children and youth to understand their autonomy and respect the boundaries of others, we can nurture a future where respect and consent are the norm.
What does a typical “day in the life” of your role look like?
As the Youth Education Coordinator, my day might include corresponding with schools and community agencies to book presentations and build schedules, answering phone and email questions and concerns from parents, caregivers, or teachers, or traveling to various communities, facilitating our presentations and participating in the meaningful conversations they invoke. I don’t like being stuck in the office on my computer for too long, so I try to find a nice balance between the administrative side of bookings and the more enjoyable parts of the job, like facilitating presentations, collaborating with team members, and brainstorming new strategies to improve our outreach and impact.
What surprised you most about your role or department?
The Dragonfly Centre’s service area in North Central East Alberta is as large as New Brunswick, which means the education team does a lot of traveling! We wouldn’t have it any other way, though, because we understand how vital it is for our preventative education to reach even the most remote communities in our area. Everyone deserves access to the education needed to protect themselves and foster healthy relationships for life.
What do you love most about your role?
Something that I’m vibing with in my role as Youth Education Coordinator, is staying up-to-date with youth trends to keep our presentations relatable and current. This means I am lowkey always building up my vocabulary with the current youth lingo, no cap. Sometimes I learn from social media, and sometimes the G.O.A.T. students from school presentations teach me new words. Then I get to practice my new lingo around the office – which slaps. The last thing we want to be doing at Dragonfly Centre is to be going to schools and giving mid presentations – we want to slay! IYKYK. If you didn’t understand what I said, you might need to ask a youth to translate for you!
Share a surprising or fun fact about yourself.
It might be interesting for fellow plant lovers that I am a collector of houseplants and enjoy gardening. Getting my hands in the dirt is very calming and grounding to me—it helps me feel connected to the earth. At one point, I had 100+ houseplants, but since having my daughter, I’ve dialed that number back to around 30. I’ve also started getting into gardening in the past few years, but I still have a lot to learn. I mostly have perennial garden beds and haven’t had time for a veggie garden, but maybe this year will be my year for that!
What is your favourite tip or piece of knowledge to share with the community?
I’ve learned that many caregivers genuinely want to have important discussions around child sexual abuse, but they often lack the tools or confidence to initiate them. One of the most valuable tips I share is to utilize books as resources for educating children and youth about body safety, body boundaries, consent, and healthy relationships. Books can be invaluable tools, guiding parents and caregivers through important but sometimes difficult conversations. Even if you’re new to these concepts, a well-chosen book can help guide your discussions. If you didn’t grow up in a culture of consent (which I’d argue most of us did not), that’s perfectly okay—many of us are learning alongside our children. We have some great book recommendations on our blog if anyone is looking for that – if you are looking for something different I would love to hear from you!