The age group of people entering university also coincides with the age group of people beginning young families. It’s tough to balance the two lives, especially if one wants to strive to their fullest potential at university. Adapt is a program specifically designed to assist this group with balancing the demands of both of their worlds. Jordan MacDonald, the founder of the program, knows firsthand what this experience is like. “…back [in] my undergraduate years…Rob Moir…became a crucial source of support…[he] helped me find childcare, employment, and so many resources that I would never have known about otherwise. He was instrumental in helping me stay on track with my studies while balancing fatherhood.” Jordan met up with Rob again when he returned to acquire his PhD, and a conversation between them sparked the idea of making a program to help people like Jordan find those crucial connections.
“[R]esources for young parents shouldn’t be left up to chance encounters.” Adapt is aimed at young adults (ages 20-25) that are parents or are soon-to-be parents. Jordan sees this as a unique group with potential that is unfortunately overlooked due to the “demands of early parenthood.” Adapt aims for young parents to excel in their post-secondary education so they can successfully transition into “meaningful careers.” The hope is that will create a ripple effect that will benefit their families and communities in the long-term.
Saint John’s child poverty rate exceeds 40% in some wards. Jordan hopes that Adapt will finally break this cycle by allowing young parents to thrive. Adapt is a nonprofit organization with resources such as peer mentorship that will guide parents through the post-secondary process; “applications, course registration, financial aid, and, importantly, accessing community resources like childcare and transportation.” The mentorship aspect is the program’s heart. Mentors will offer practical advice and emotional support to motivate young parents through the challenges presented by their two worlds. Ultimately, it will foster a sense of belonging to a community. Jordan envisions this as a lifelong support system for young parents. It will be “a place they can return to for career advice, resources or mentorship, even after they graduate.” He hopes that Adapt will scale to other communities and then across all of Canada. “By empowering young parents, we can foster a generation of stronger, more resilient families.”
In terms of financial support, Adapt will help with the burden of unexpected expenses, such as car troubles, childcare emergencies, and even the absurd price of textbooks so young parents are not financially derailed in their post-secondary education. Adapt is currently in its early stages and is exploring different sources of funding. They will soon receive an initial seed funding from Harvard’s H2A, which will give them a strong start. Adapt is also planning on approaching different, larger sources of funding soon. They are in the process of becoming a nonprofit organization, a necessary requirement for different funding sources. They are also in discussion with various government departments “who are excited about Adapt’s potential impact in Saint John.”
Jordan’s story is probably the biggest reason for Adapt’s existence. He was a teen father during high school, which was not planned. Trusted adults doubted his abilities and criticized him. “[In] my undergraduate years…I went through financial hardships, struggles with academics, and was barely holding it together. … In those early years, I was often balancing a full time school load with the demands of being a dad. …Adapt is the support I needed back then, and it’s deeply meaningful to mean to be able to offer it to others who are going through what I went through.” Jordan wants people to know that Adapt is more than a program. It is a community built on understanding, resilience and hope. Jordan understands that, without support, young parents will oftentimes struggle financially or end up leaving school. Some will not even attempt to finish high school or enter post-secondary education “because of the barriers and how scary it seems.” He wants people to look at these young parents and instead of ostracizing them, to support and believe in them.
Jordan’s conclusion is, “Adapt isn’t just about helping them get into school; it’s about setting them up for lifelong success. It’s about saying, ‘You belong here, and you have what it takes.’ By supporting these young parents, we’re not only investing in their futures but also breaking cycles of poverty, benefiting their children, and, ultimately, strengthening entire communities.”
Adapt is aiming to launch its pilot program in Fall of 2025, and is currently seeking volunteers, mentors, and community partners that share the program’s vision. For more information, the Adapt website is currently in construction, but when completed, can be found at AdaptSJ.ca. Those interested can also connect with Jordan directly on LinkedIn or via email at jmacdo29@unb.ca.
