Rehaan joined The Duncan Centre in 2025 as our very first student. Once shy and withdrawn, he has grown into a confident young man who communicates clearly and embraces every challenge with quiet determination. From developing his fine motor skills and discovering a talent for woodworking, to learning to read, enjoying literacy, and even taking on maths — his progress has been remarkable. He approaches each new task with willingness and pride, steadily building both skill and independence. Today, Rehaan confidently helps run both the Training Coffee Shop and Thrift Store with minimal support, taking real ownership of his role within the program.

Siphe joined The Duncan Centre in 2025. After a schooling experience that left him far behind — spending most days on repetitive puzzles — Siphe arrived with very limited reading and writing ability, even struggling to write his own name. His underdeveloped fine motor skills and challenges initially suggested he would need significant additional support. What followed surprised everyone. Siphe rolled up his sleeves, took on every task head-on, and worked through each challenge with determination and grit. While power tools aren’t his preference, place him in a service role and he comes alive — confident, capable, and completely transformed.

Zina joined The Duncan Centre in mid-2025. She initially struggled with focus, social awareness, and a limited understanding of maths, often finding interactions challenging. In a short time, however, Zina has made strong progress — forming meaningful friendships, growing in confidence, and discovering a natural artistic flair. While maths and public-facing roles still present challenges, she has found her place in supportive roles within the service programs. Zina is willing to try almost anything, and with programs designed to meet students where they are, her growth has been inspiring. At this rate, she is well on her way to becoming an unstoppable force.

Chad joined The Duncan Centre in January 2026. After being told by his previous school that he would not accomplish much, he arrived unsure of himself but very quickly began proving otherwise. He has a natural strength in literacy and numeracy, and when he locks in, he really locks in. The arts program isn’t his favourite space, but he still shows up and gives it a fair shot every time — no shortcuts, no half-effort.

Struggling with staying focused during theoretical discussions, what stands out is how quickly he’s learning to catch himself, reset, and come back into the moment. That growing self-awareness has been a real shift. Day by day, building confidence, consistency, and belief in his own ability and it shows.

Chris joined The Duncan Centre in 2025, arriving with a reputation as “the naughty one.” A brain cancer survivor at the age of 11, he faces ongoing challenges with behaviour, concentration, and extremely poor eyesight. Since joining TDC, however, there has been a clear shift. His behaviour has improved, and while focus remains a challenge, his progress is undeniable. Where he once struggled to stay engaged for more than a few minutes, Chris can now complete a substantial portion of a task. Each step forward may be small, but together they reflect meaningful growth and a young man steadily finding his way.