Forging Ahead Inc.

Our charity continues to offer free classes to veterans and first responders. We have been working closely with three veterans who are repeat attendees and have found blacksmithing to be a therapeutic release. Together we've completed multiple projects and they are willing to take on long-term initiatives that help promote the charity and showcase the positive impact we have. In addition to these regular participants we estimate that three new veterans have attended our classes. We have also received inquiries from several other veterans and organizations expressing interest in our work. Our efforts to establish a dedicated workshop in Niverville continue and we are grateful to have the support of the town. The grant we are applying for will also fund our outdoor mobile class project. This project will be another first in Canada: a mobile blacksmithing shop that brings therapeutic classes directly to veterans and first responder groups especially those with mobility challenges due to mental health or physical injuries. Our recent visit from the Minister of Veterans Affairs was a pleasant and unexpected surprise. They had no prior knowledge that we were applying for a grant through their office when they reached out to us. As a rare veteran-led veteran-oriented and Canada-first initiative our charity caught the attention of the Minister’s team who sought out veteran-led projects in the Winnipeg area. We gladly accepted their offer for a visit. During the visit we showcased our work and shared a detailed information package outlining our goals and plans to pioneer a new mental health initiative in Canada. We also hosted a short blacksmithing demonstration with some of the veterans who have taken our classes. I’m proud to say that I had the opportunity to guide the Minister of Veterans Affairs in a blacksmithing session in our shop. Afterward we had a meaningful discussion with the veterans and the Minister’s office talking about the struggles faced by veterans and our vision for growing the charity within the Ritchot community. Currently we have approximately 5 to 8 volunteers including board members who handle most of the administrative work. The majority of the physical labor is done by myself Cameron Bennett as I am the primary blacksmith of the charity. Throughout this season we have focused on searching for and applying for grants as well as seeking general donations from private companies to support our efforts.