Catching Up With a Story Planet “Alum”

We host post-secondary students for practicums and research projects, and we’re always struck by how many diverse disciplines they represent.

Gabrielle Massé (Ottawa, ON) came to us through a Human Biology course at University of Toronto called “Health in Community,” which places students with organizations to volunteer and engage in a meaningful research project that meets an important need.

Gabrielle and her partner developed a survey of teachers at the schools we work with about the physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges they see in the classroom and the resources they have available to them to address these needs.

Why did you choose Story Planet for your community placement?

In 2020, as I was choosing my placement for my Health in Community class, I was drawn to Story Planet’s mission: amplifying kids’ voices and literacy skills, in diverse communities of Toronto, using art and play. It felt so different from what I was doing for my degree—which was a lot more formal—and I was looking forward to working 1:1 with the students. The types of workshops Story Planet was offering were the kind I wish I had growing up, and I was excited to play a part in offering them to students.

What did you get out of working with us for that year?

I was amazed by the students’ creativity, and I felt proud when a student would share their ideas and become more confident in their abilities. I loved seeing the diversity of experiences the kids were bringing to the workshops and seeing that diversity being reflected in the artists and facilitators I was working with. It was a wonderful work environment, where I could learn and grow a lot as a person. My time at Story Planet also helped me rekindle my love for art and writing that I hadn’t cultivated since high school. It reminded me that regardless of what my future career would entail, I wanted to make space for my creative side.

What are your current ambitions and how does your time with Story Planet fit with those goals?

I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in 2021, and at the time I saw myself continuing my studies in healthcare, and eventually wanting to participate in humanitarian work (e.g. Doctors Without Borders, UNICEF, etc.). Although these ambitions are still near and dear to my heart, my time at Story Planet also reminded me that I could make a difference at home, supporting communities locally.

What is one thing about Story Planet that surprised you?

One thing that pleasantly surprised me with Story Planet is how open they are to receiving input and feedback from everyone. It took me some time to feel confident enough to share my point of view and ideas because I was used to a more hierarchical structure, but when I started sharing ideas, they were welcomed and well-received. The staff at Story Planet made me feel like my contribution was valued; they really take a collective approach to problem-solving.