New Team Member: Veronika

My name is Veronika, and I am from out west! I have been in and out of Québec for the last few years. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in the humanities, as well as certificates in community engagement, translation, and international studies.

My goal is to pursue law school, and I hope to complete a dual J.D/L.L.B program, so that I can practice all over Canada. I am interested in being a public defender (avocate de l’aide juridique), taking clients on trial who cannot afford a private lawyer.

I have experience working in front-line positions with vulnerable youth, and the desire to support this population in new ways is what motivated me to apply to Momentum 2.0. My most meaningful experience was with youth who have experienced homelessness, which often means also experiencing gender-based violence, police violence, addiction, etc. This is why I am interested Momentums’ work on the intersectionality of substance use and various stigmatized identities.

People experiencing addiction rarely experience it isolated from other forms of violence, which is why non-judgmental and accessible care is necessary. I feel that my experience and compassion will be a strong fit for this project, and I am super excited to get started this summer!

In my free time, I love to read or listen to audiobooks. My favourite book of 2024 was ‘‘Changing the Status Quo’’ by Indigenous author Allan Strain. It is a memoir detailing his experience of alcohol abuse and drug addiction, and how he ultimately overcame it. It is a phenomenal read, and I value challenging myself to destigmatize addiction by engaging with survivors.

This position is made possible by funding through Employment and Social Development Canada's "Canada Summer Jobs" program