From Participant to Mentor: Elizabeth's Phelps Journey

Some of the most meaningful success stories come full circle.

If you've visited Phelps this summer, there's a good chance you've met Elizabeth Keeler. As one of our Canada Summer Jobs students, Elizabeth has been helping deliver programs, supporting activities, and creating the same welcoming environment that once made such a difference in her own life.

Her journey with Phelps began in Grade 5, but it was during high school that the organization became much more than an after-school program.

At 14, Elizabeth left Stanstead to live in Ontario. Returning home a year later was anything but easy. The transition, combined with anxiety and the challenges of starting over, left her struggling in school and at risk of falling behind.

"School was hard for me," Elizabeth recalls. "I never wanted to drop out, but staying positive was tough. Phelps became my support system, like a second family. It's one of the few places where I can truly be myself."

With encouragement from the Phelps team, Elizabeth found the confidence to keep going. She completed high school, discovered a passion for helping others, and began giving back as a volunteer tutor and member of our Youth Committee.

Today, she is studying Social Science – Sports and Leisure at Champlain College with the goal of becoming a teacher. She also serves as a volunteer firefighter and continues to dedicate her time to strengthening her community.

For Elizabeth, volunteering has never simply been about lending a hand.

"What makes me keep coming back is the pure joy I get from giving back to a community and an organization that has helped me so much,"

As a member of our Youth Committee, Elizabeth has helped shape opportunities for other young people, including advocating for a dedicated youth lounge - a space where teens can safely gather, connect, and belong. She believes young people should play a leading role in building a stronger Stanstead.

"People often underestimate youth," she explains. "But I think real change needs to be led by young people. When youth are given the chance to lead, amazing things can happen."

This summer, thanks to funding through the Canada Summer Jobs program, Elizabeth is taking on a new role as a member of our staff team. It's a natural next step for someone who has grown from participant, to volunteer, to mentor.

Watching Elizabeth support younger participants is a powerful reminder of what can happen when young people are given consistent support, trusted relationships, and opportunities to grow.

At Phelps, we often say that every young person deserves someone who believes in them. Elizabeth's story reminds us that when that happens, they don't just succeed - they come back to help the next generation succeed too.