Grace Olinyk

Mentor

Grace joined our team in June of 2025. As a third-year Child & Youth Studies Major at Trent University, Durham, Grace is always looking for and learning ways to add to our programming at Nova’s Ark. She is currently researching a Dungeons and Dragons program for Neurodivergent youth. Grace has worked with children, youth and adults with varied abilities for over 5 years, as a tutor, camp counsellor and support worker.

At Nova's Ark, Grace works in collaboration with our participants to overcome challenges and celebrate wins. Together, Grace and our participants engage meaningfully in educational activities, high-energy play-based learning and forest exploration.

Grace loves that her work is full of intent and joy for our participants and their mentors each day. Grace also truly appreciates that our therapy animals provide a unique educational experience for our participants to learn skills that are applicable to other aspects of their lives as well.

Participant smiling with bouquet of flowers.

Unlike everywhere else I’ve been, at Nova’s Ark, I do not feel out of place. It gives me something that I feel like I can’t find anywhere else. I meet people that I otherwise wouldn’t meet and I feel like a lot of those who have helped me through my struggles I’ve met here.
Bridget, Participant since 2010

Nova’s Ark is special to our whole family. When Daniel first started here, he could only speak one-word sentences. Now, he can talk your ear off and is very independent. Daniel being at Nova’s Ark takes a lot of pressure off of our family because we know he is safe, happy and learning. No matter the weather or if he is tired, Daniel doesn’t want to miss a day.
Daniel’s Mom, a participant since 2014

From the moment our son started attending Novas Ark, we felt such positivity, hope and inspiration. Everyone in the Nova’s Ark family has been so caring and accepting of our whole family. Nova’s Ark has gone above and beyond to help us on our family’s journey and we are beyond thankful. We are so lucky to have found such a supportive environment for our children and our family.
Parent, Shannon K.

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Grace Olinyk

Mentor

Everyone Can Make A Difference

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