Experiences of Hope, Self-Compassion and Authentic Collaboration: Foundations for a Consumer-Informed Compassion-Based Human Services Delivery Framework in a Canadian Context

By Janice Saji

Ideas for innovation can hit you when you least expect it. Like it did for Isaac Newton, who was relaxing under an apple tree before inspiration hit him in the head (quite literally) and led him to formulate his theory of gravity. Or, for Greek mathematician Archimedes, who was enjoying a peaceful bath when “eureka!” he had figured out how to calculate the volume of an object with an irregular shape. Such was also the case for Tina Lackner, professor in the Child and Youth Care Practitioner Programs in the Faculty of Social & Community Services at Humber College.

Tina was commuting to Humber along with fellow faculty member Sara Nickerson-White when they began discussing the different human service organizations and people’s healing journeys. The hour-long commute gave them time to wonder about the role hope plays in these healing journeys. They decided to undertake research to understand whether hope, self-compassion, and authentic collaboration were important when individuals access or work in a human service organization.

Not finding an overarching framework to guide compassion-based human services delivery, Tina and Sara decided to take matters into their own hands by embarking on a social innovation project, “Experiences of hope, self-compassion and authentic collaboration: Foundations for a consumer-informed compassion-based human services delivery framework in a Canadian Context.”

While Sara had to part ways with the project, Tina was soon joined by Cristina Alexandra Guerrero, a fellow Humber faculty member, in developing this project.

In 2020, the research team received the College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF) funding of $323,239 from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

Inspiration for conducting social innovation research project

Cristina says research is often very institutionalized and considered from the perspective of academics. But in their social innovation project, the roles are more horizontal in nature, and thereby, its theorizing comes from the participants themselves. And that puts a different spin on the way research is conducted.

Tina notes, “Someone once mentioned a quote that stuck with me—‘The basis of any research comes from within.’ Every research idea comes from an already present interest. So, if you have an interest that steps outside the academic world and involves community collaboration, it needs to be done.”

Cristina says, “While conducting research, it’s important to consider what is the purpose of the research and for whom it is being done. As researchers, we are very human, and oftentimes, this is what gives rise to a research project—a sense of curiosity that’s not just academic, but also personal and professional.”

Project goals and timeline

The objectives of this project include understanding human service consumers’ and service delivery providers’ lived experiences of:

• Hope in the course of HS sector service delivery
• Self-compassion in the course of HS sector
• service delivery
• Authentic collaboration in the course of HS sector service delivery
• The interconnectedness of hope, self-compassion, and authentic collaboration in consumers’ attempts to lead self-directed lives in the course of living through HS sector service delivery

The research grant approval was for three years—from 2020 to 2023—with each year focusing on the specific phases of hope, self-compassion, and authentic collaboration. But, with the pandemic causing a delay, the project is now expected to be completed by 2024.

Research team

The research project is co-led by Tina and Cristina as the Principal Investigators.

Tina Lackner, BACYC, MSc, RP (CPT) brings over 20 years of academic and clinical expertise to her current research role. She is a Certified Play Therapist, Registered Psychotherapist, Adult (and Children) Yoga Teacher and holds a Specialist Certificate in Applied Mindful Meditation. Tina is the founder and lead trainer of TIYAMA Children’s Yoga Teacher training school, a specialized training that focuses on yoga, mindfulness, meditation, and mental health. Tina continues to support individuals in her private practice since its inception in 1999. Tina is a full-time faculty member in the Child and Youth Care Practitioner (CYCP) programs. Tina embodies a holistic approach to healing and mindfulness.

Cristina Alexandra Guerrero, MA, PhD is a full-time professor in the Child and Youth Care program at Humber College Lakeshore. She worked at the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) for 16 years in various roles, including secondary teacher, instructional leader, and K-12 learning coach. Cristina has over 10 years of experience conducting qualitative research. She is committed to participatory research through which participants actively engage in the entire research process. Cristina has published in journals like The International Journal of Critical Pedagogy and Relational Child and Youth Care Practice.

When asked about what they are most excited about undertaking the project, Tina responds, “With some of our partner organizations, we’re dealing with individuals diagnosed with cancer. Some of them are hopeful for recovery, while others are hopeful for a peaceful passing. Another organization deals with domestic violence and traumatic situations. And so, learning how everyone’s idea of hope is very different and realizing how vital that hope is, was an eye-opening experience.”

Cristina states, “We’re talking about people in the helping professions. And so, what does it mean to provide quality services for others but at the same time also recognize that one has to have an ethic of care for oneself. I think that’s an exciting piece and I’m looking forward to what people have to say about it.”

Community partner organizations

The three key community organizations partnering alongside Tina and Cristina to create and use this framework include the Hope Resource Centre Association and Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation.

Hope Resource Centre Association responds to gender-based violence in their rural and remote community with a trauma-informed approach, embracing diversity, the most at-risk, respecting survivors as experts of their story, bridging hope and healing supports to ensure safety, inclusion and equality through a coordinated community response.

Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation provides support to those diagnosed with cancer, devoting itself exclusively to the unique non-medical impacts of having cancer. A network of registered charities, Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation is a charitable organization that provides support to those diagnosed with cancer and those who care for and love them. Wellspring provides a range of programs designed to provide connection and belonging, ease physical pain and emotional distress, build strength and mobility, and reduce fatigue. Specialized financial, workplace, counselling and other cancer-related supports are also available. Programs are available free of charge and without referral.

The above-mentioned community organizations provide services to those with varied experiences of hope. Gathered with a common need to create a compassion-based framework for their service delivery, the organizations believe this research will fill gaps between human service organizations and consumers.

Participation of students

In January 2023, the research team onboarded two Humber students as research assistants. Brenda Acheampong is a third-year student enrolled in the Digital Business Management program at Humber. Danielle Nathalia Gomes da Silva is a student in the Project Management program at Humber.

We asked the research assistants what motivated them to work on the project. Here is what they had to say:

“I was motivated to apply for the research assistant position because I am deeply interested in learning more about self-compassion while gaining hands-on experience in data collection, research, and analysis. I am passionate about using the knowledge I’ve gained to make a positive impact on this ongoing research that has the potential to improve the well-being of individuals and organizations. I believe this experience will be a great opportunity for me to grow as a researcher and provide insight into the importance of emotional intelligence.” 

— Brenda Acheampong

“Innovation and research are essential to offer transformational opportunities for organizations and society. It has been amazing to realize the importance of this type of research for society. Self-compassion can save and transform lives.” 

— Danielle Nathalia Gomes da Silva

When asked what they hope to gain from the experience of working as research assistants, students responded:

“As a business student, research skills such as data analysis and critical thinking are highly valued by employers in the business industry. Working as a research assistant will provide me with a unique opportunity to gain practical experience and skills that will be beneficial in a future career.” 

— Brenda Acheampong

“This kind of project really moves me. I believe it will provide me with the knowledge and experience I need to strengthen my career.” 

— Danielle Nathalia Gomes da Silva

Potential impact

The research project aims to foster social innovation to address community needs. It provides a pathway to establish the key principles necessary to develop a much-needed consumer-informed compassion-based human services framework that strengthens the responsiveness of human service delivery in accordance with the aspirations and preferences of Canadian consumers to enhance consumers’ abilities to lead self-directed lives.

We acknowledge the support of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Nous remercions le Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada (CRSNG) de son soutien.