Award - winning interior design alumna beelines to mental health

Mandy (nee Davediuk) Wozniak is buzzing with excitement as the lead designer of The Hive, a new youth hub for the Bonnyville Child and Adolescent Mental Health Collaborative.

“It's amazing that opportunities like this can be in such a small community. Bonnyville is my hometown, so the place means a lot to me. Mental health became a focal point during the pandemic. Personally, family members have struggled with mental health, and I even lost a family member from mental health struggles. I have a passion for the topic because of my personal experience,” explains Wozniak.

Since graduating from Lakeland College’s interior design technology program in 2018, Wozniak completed a degree in interior design through the college’s articulation agreement with Yorkville University this year.

“I honestly never considered myself going to university until I had a conversation with Lakeland’s president Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart, who encouraged me to follow my passion. All my credits went directly from Lakeland to Yorkville, so the process was seamless. I loved my time at Lakeland. The support of my instructors is unparalleled to any education I've ever had before,” says Wozniak.

Through Yorkville, Wozniak met the program’s required 20 volunteer hours, which was how she was introduced to the collaborative and The Hive project.

“The major driving point for me to volunteer for this opportunity was my thesis project which focused on mental health. I was introduced to The Hive project by Bonnyville Primary Care Network, and through a volunteer program, I helped direct design decisions. Once the volunteer opportunity ended, I was asked to take on designing the space,” she says.

As lead designer, Wozniak referenced colour psychology to develop the space and reinforce the goals of the community, the steering committee and the youth. This helped direct her design decisions which focused on inclusivity, ensuring the hub’s atmosphere is welcoming and comfortable.

“I spent time with youth coordinators and mental health navigators, figuring out what they want from the programs offered. We discussed the colours they would like to see and what inspires them. I want them to have a sense of identity within the project. It's their ideas and passion that's driving the project forward.”

When The Hive opens on June 1 for youth aged 14-21 years, the 5,000-square-foot space will feature a cafe and lounge, health care clinic for mental health resources, art centre, kitchen, recreation centre and fitness studio.

“I think youth are struggling to make connections in the world, and this is just a way to bring them out of their shells and get comfortable again. The youth within the community are creating a mural in the facility’s cafeteria. Having their personal touch in this space, I think, is so unique.”

Wozniak’s Lakeland legacy includes a second place finish in the Kitchen Design category of the 2018 National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) Student Design Competition and the Governor General’s Academic Medal for earning the highest academic standing in a diploma-level program.