Rai Reece Receives the Research Excellence Award
Congratulations to Dr. Rai Reece on receiving the Research Excellence Award for her work on “One Seed at a Time”: Evaluating the Impact of the Horticulture Technician Pre-Apprenticeship Program on the Lives of Incarcerated Women.
This research evaluation examined the efficacy of the Horticultural Technician Pre-Apprenticeship Program (HTPP) offered by Humber College’s School of Applied Technology and developed and coordinated by the Community Outreach and Workforce Development. In partnership with the Elizabeth Fry Society of Peel/Halton Region, Landscape Ontario, and the Vanier Correctional Centre for Woman, incarcerated women are provided with a unique opportunity to obtain their first level of apprenticeship in the landscape trade followed by potential placement in the industry once released to the community. Funding for this initiative was provided by a Cultivate grant and the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development.
Using feminist, critical race and ethnography methodologies, this research employed qualitative interviews with incarcerated and post-release women who have completed the program, as well as key players in support of the delivery of the program. Research outcomes indicated that social issues (addictions, poverty, and trauma) are directly connected to recidivism rates and women’s access to resources. The HTPP allowed for women to identify social skills that empowered them while in the program and upon release. Incarcerated and post-release participants identified that strength-based approaches to learning and being treated as equal learners helped foster self-acceptance, instilled a positive work ethic, and achieve a sense of accomplishment.
This research was enriched by the participation of my student Research Assistant who diligently and eagerly remained focused and steadfast throughout this project. My Research Assistant played a vital role in providing literature reviews and conducting interviews with participants, and was given the opportunity to fully participate in this research process as a part of the pedagogical process of teaching and learning scholarship.
